Kim D 6242

See it if You love music. You are a fan of the author’s previous work. You want to think.

Don't see it if You’re looking for mindless entertainment.

Also It helps to have some familiarity with the Net.

See it if You like Daniels and/or Sorkin. You’re curious about what they’ve done with the narrative.

Don't see it if You will be turned off by the white savior overtones. Despite the updates the play is preachy and so white.

Also There were no people of color in the mezzanine during our performance. I’m not particularly ‘woke’ but this work bothered me. Also many in the audience were confused by the ending because the Boo thread was not well explained. Which may be for the good because the play left me struck by how easily the white young folks get out of trouble with judge sheriff and Atticus colluding. Meanwhile we’re all supposed to be excited that Atticus is taking up the fight!... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy amazing music, sets, acting, singing.

Don't see it if You can’t tolerate volume. It gets pretty loud.

See it if Just don't see it. If you liked the music on-line let that be your memory. Don't let this production ruin it.

Don't see it if you don't like: cartoon characters, an unbelievably vapid plot sending horrible outdated messages, earsplitting amplification.

Also I had really high hopes for this. I loved most of the musicals referenced in lead ups to it. This was just amazingly bad. Entitled teenager takes a pill. Resulting voice in head tells him to change t-shirt, take off glasses, swagger, lie and block out old friends. Ok - so that's bad. But here's the thing - he's pretty much going along with it - even trying to give it to his love interest. Great message! But it wants to disseminate itself to the whole school. So that's the catalyst that makes it bad. And it needs to be fought. Female characters - but no hope of passing the Bechtel test. The message is implicitly caricature misogynistic. Alpha slut, beta slut and misfit dreamer becomes princess to rescue.
Just dumb. And the volume is earsplitting!!! Not only is is painful it obscures any charm the quasi-amateurish air of the songs might have conveyed. Worst show I've seen in ages.... Read more Read less

See it if You like a challenge. You like to explore. You like atmosphere. You are open to being amazed.

Don't see it if You aren't mobile. You can't deal with nudity, satanism, voyeurism. You need to understand everything happening in a linear way.

See it if You enjoy Sondheim. This is well done small scale production of an imperfect play.

Don't see it if You don’t enjoy Sondheim. That’s really the one question to ask here.

See it if You like great acting, great story and are up for an emotional wallop of a play. My husband and I split a needed Jameson’s at intermission.

Don't see it if You can’t deal with a bit of brogue.

See it if Seeing Amy Schumer is the most important/only consideration in your decision.

Don't see it if You have a low tolerance for characters as ciphers, comedy as extended snl skit full of dumb cliched repetitive relationship jokes.

Also I can honestly say I laughed more at Next to Normal (in the same theater)!!! The actors were not the problem. They tried. Amy did well. Kay was over the top at times and generally uneven. Benanti was best. But overall the show was so terrible, so painful - with predictable wince producing jokes -that I would have left if I hadn’t been mid row. What’s very strange to me is that lots of the audience seemed to enjoy it. It’s one of those times when I wonder whether I’m an alien :-). Luckily my husband enjoyed it only slightly more than I did - so perhaps there’s some hope ...... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy Jewish history/visiting old houses of worship and hearing their stories and the stories of congregants. The rabbi is delightful.

Don't see it if You want spectacle or hate history.

See it if You enjoy great acting and singing. You are interested in something that will pack an emotional punch.

Don't see it if you are uncomfortable with discussion of mental health issues; if you don't like 'next to normal' or 'rent' style

See it if You are a die-hard Lloyd-Webber or Glen Close fan. Or a close friend or member of the family of another cast member.

Don't see it if Either of the criteria I listed above don't apply. Honestly, except for brief (30-60 second intervals) it was painful.

See it if You love theater. Or Jane Austen.

Don't see it if You detest Jane Austen. But even then ....

See it if You have a sense of fun that can tolerate a bit of gore. Also a good idea to know some Macbeth. Great high energy cast. Very funny.

Don't see it if You need to leave the theater humming a song. The songs are good (and fun) but not memorable.

Also Alysha Umphress was amazing.

Overall - we were worried based on other reviews but we really enjoyed ourselves. This is light and not heavily intellectual but not the stupid high school level of Be More Chill either. It’s just silliness. Also FYI - we’ve never seen the movie on which it’s based so that’s not necessary.... Read more Read less

See it if You can get reasonably priced tickets. It’s a fun drama/magic meld. Of course you should read the books first.

Don't see it if If not familiar with or dislike the canon.

See it if You enjoy farce. You liked Noises Off. You can sympathize with put upon character silliness. You like to laugh.

Don't see it if You have zero tolerance for farce or slapstick. Note: I don't have a high tolerance but this was SO WELL DONE.

Also Incredible set design. This erased the bad taste in our mouths left by the fiasco Be More Chill. A great way to end a 5 play weekend. Note this plays Sunday night!... Read more Read less

See it if You love musicals. This is a worthwhile production of Fiddler with heart. Tevye allows others to share the stage.

Don't see it if You can't deal with the English side titles.

See it if You value family memories. You are open to learning about other people and times not so long ago.

Don't see it if You are intolerant of non-traditional theater formats. You're uncomfortable with being directly addressed. You have difficulty reading.

See it if You’ll enjoy Ethan Hawke’s amazing performance. You enjoy Shephard’s writing.

Don't see it if Macho excess is a turnoff.

See it if Anyone interested in Yiddish theater, language or SA.

Don't see it if You want big budget traditional shows. This is small scale. You can’t deal with supertitles.

See it if You like good writing and good acting.

Don't see it if You need spectacle.

Also Exploration of racism is inherent in the play but the interactions are universal. The theme enriches the play.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoyed other Kate Hamill productions. You know Austen and can enjoy a humorous interpretation.

Don't see it if You hate farce. You’re unfamiliar with Austen or only want your Austen super serious.

See it if You enjoy Harry Potter adventures and are open to having clever fun with the Potter world. Also if you enjoy rooting for the underdog.

Don't see it if You insist on high budget production values. You have no idea what a Hufflepuff is. You are very sensitive to profanity.

See it if You value superb acting, layered, nuanced performances and terrific writing.

Don't see it if You want a fluffy piece of distraction.

See it if You get seriously discounted tickets and if you like broad humor and don't care too much. Don't have high expectations and it will be ok.

Don't see it if You have better choices available.

See it if There is any possible way for you to get tickets. It also helps to be familiar with the story. Reading the book it's based on helps.

Don't see it if You aren't willing to put in effort to understand the lyrics.