Kurtal

See it if you're a fan of jukebox musicals or '80s rock

Don't see it if you want any real originality

See it if I LOVED THIS SHOW SO MUCH! The acting was uniformly spectacular. The writing was occasionally uneven, and the pacing felt off here and...

Don't see it if there, but this story moved me immensely. It is so incredibly rare to see a diverse range of fully-formed black queer characters living...

Also their everyday lives, navigating love, loss, complexity, and daily struggle. I am so glad that this show exists, and I want to see more and more and more shows like it.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a glimpse into life in Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge; you appreciate Asian American representation; you like rock music

Don't see it if you don't like stories about the ravages of war; you need all musical moments to move the plot; you're expecting a revolutionary plot

Also While I saw pretty much every plot point coming a mile away, I was still very impressed by the execution of this drama that examines the impact of the Khmer Rouge regime on one man and his inner circles. The performances (both acting and musical) were, by and large, excellent. And I'm always glad to see stories featuring populations that are woefully underrepresented on stage.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see Ruth Negga give a brilliant performance as Hamlet; you're a Shakespeare aficionado

Don't see it if you get easily frustrated with uneven pacing; you hate a droning underscore; you get particularly antsy after 3.5 hours

Also This is 100% worth seeing for Ruth Negga's performance alone. But oh my was it long. The scenes she's not in drug on forever.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see Laura Linney give a phenomenal performance with some subpar material

Don't see it if you aren't convinced that this novel should be a one-woman show; it felt uncomfortably between an audiobook and a play

See it if you want to see a fairly interesting take on the complexities of black racial identity with some phenomenal performances

Don't see it if you want a murder mystery with a satisfying payoff; you are a white person unwilling to accept that this play wasn't written for you

Also In some ways, I recognize that I should not be judging this show, which examines biases and internalized racism within Black communities. I am a White man in 2020, and, while I found some of the characterizations reductive and arguments simplistic, I am not a member of Black America, so I am likely missing nuance and understanding that I might otherwise possess. That awareness notwithstanding, I don't think the show has aged particularly well. What may have felt groundbreaking forty years ago (this show won a Pulitzer), now feels heavy handed to me. But if you're looking for a stageful of very strong performances providing employment to a panoply of young Black actors, look no further.... Read more Read less

See it if you're a fan of any of the performers. They all show up and give solid performances with incredible subpar material.

Don't see it if you want to see a show that knows what it is and what it has to say. I can certainly imagine a show that engages with ideas of fidelity...

Also ...monogamy, and polyamory in a modern and relevant way, but this is not that show. And before Duncan Sheik writes another damn musical, he needs to learn how to write a book song. The trope of having characters sing into a microphone only works when they're revealing inner thoughts that aren't otherwise articulated. This show was long and frustrating. The first half could have been cut by fifty percent and nothing would have been lost.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in the interrogation and capture of a central figure in the Russian interference investigation; you want to have your...

Don't see it if ...preconceived notions of Reality Winner blown up. The show is simple and straightforward, being a transcript of the first FBI interview

Also with the person who leaked documents confirming Russian interference in US elections. The text is occasionally awkward, as it is taken straight from real life dialogue. But the cast, especially Emily Davis as Winner, brings this interaction to life in compelling and captivating ways.... Read more Read less

See it if you're ready for a one-man show that engages with transphobia, racism, capitalism, and consumer culture in the South

Don't see it if you don't think that a White man should be telling the stories of people of color. Darkly has some really strong ideas, but I couldn't shake

Also the feeling that it wasn't his story to tell.

See it if you want a reinvention of WSS that brings the show firmly into the 21st century; you aren't afraid of risk taking, reinventive theatre

Don't see it if you don't like large scale use of projections; you are a traditionalist; you think that WSS *isn't* about gun violence and police brutality

Also First preview, so some technical things to work out. This show is, like Oklahoma!, going to be divisive. In his typical style, Ivo van Hove uses non-traditional staging choices and live video projection to present the story in, at times, challenging ways. But overall it worked. Gee Officer Krupke takes police brutality head on and is a brilliant and cathartic showstopper. Isaac Powell and Ben Cook gave starmaking performances as Tony and Riff. Yesenia Ayala's Anita started off a little shaky but found her footing by the end.

I was on the edge of my seat the whole show. This is a thrilling, exciting revival. But don't go if you're not ready to be challenged.... Read more Read less

See it if you're a devotee of Christmas shows; you're looking for a solid take on a classic; your Grinchy heart needs to grow a few sizes

Don't see it if you are looking for a massive reinvention of the tale; you actively dislike gratuitous audience interaction

See it if you want to see a stellar cast taking on a classic piece; you want a Broadway quality production in a beautifully intimate space.

Don't see it if you will be distracted by flying spittle; you're not a fan of the show or the movie

See it if you're interested in what would happen if Hadestown and Be More Chill had a baby.

Don't see it if you aren't a huge fan of the books.

See it if you're interested in a dramedy-style take on a Tennessee Williams classic; you want to see Marisa Tomei in a scenery chewing role

Don't see it if you're uncomfortable with thick accents and broad comedy; you expect tonal consistency; you want age appropriate casting

Also This is a weird little show that floated between telenovela, high drama, and broad physical comedy. The tonal shifts were jarring at time, and the accents were thick and uneven. But once I decided I wasn't going to nitpick some of the directorial and acting choices, I settled back and had a really good time. I found Act Two far more interesting and entertaining than Act One. And I really like the staging. Definitely worth it if you can get a discounted ticket.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to support new and ambitious work. This show is a two hander that examines two important eras in race relations in the US. Act One

Don't see it if is tough to get through. The structure and content are confusing and require you to really focus. But Act Two is transcendent. Danyel

Also Fulton gives a star making performance. I really really hope that they work out the problems in Act One because there is a revolutionary musical in here screaming to get out. But if you're willing to be patient and watch a show that's still finding itself, you'll be rewarded.... Read more Read less

See it if you're a Migdalia Cruz devotee; you are okay with a complicated plot that never completely gels

Don't see it if you want performances or direction that can help you navigate this unnecessarily complex plot. The world isn't sufficiently built, and the

Also relationships don't feel earned.

See it if Anna Deveare Smith is a legend. Go see her work immediately.

Don't see it if You're not interested in a fascinating one man show examining racial history in Brooklyn

See it if you want a solid if fairly unsurprising magic/psychic/illusionist show. I enjoyed it more than I expected to, but I also saw right through

Don't see it if a couple of the bits. But ultimately it was an enjoyable night out. Don't go if you're expecting anything more than a magic show. There's

Also no deeper message to be found.

See it if you want a sharp but somewhat uneven satire on American-Chinese relationships; you can embrace the occasionally ludicrous; you want to laugh

Don't see it if you're not keen on satire; you need your musical's book to make total sense; you don't want 80% of your show to be a dream sequence

See it if you're a fan of The National; you want to see a stellar cast doing its best with challenging material

Don't see it if you want songs that sound like they're from musicals; you want a show that knows what story it's telling; you want a lead that can sing

Also Ok, so this was the first preview, so maybe they'll work out some of the issues. But the issues are many!

The show doesn't know if it's a comedy or tragedy. The best scenes were when Peter Dinklage and Blake Jenner were playing off each other. But those were few and far between.

For a play that's about a woman falling in love with a man's words, we heard surprisingly few of them.

Peter Dinklage is not a singer. This weighed the show down.

The show was anachronistic in parts, but not consistently. It felt like it was going for a Spring Awakening vibe in parts, where the nonmusical scenes were period, and the songs were modern. But that didn't come through clearly....if that was the intent at all.

It is a crime to have Grace McLean in a show and not give her a number.

The National's music doesn't lend itself to a musical format.

They should lose the score that plays under the nonmusical scenes.

Peter Dinklage raps. It's not a high point.

I have so many more thoughts...... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a collection of okay songs performed by very earnest (and fairly talented) young actors.

Don't see it if you want a book that makes sense at all. The plot had more holes in it than a whorehouse. And most of the jokes were worse than that.

See it if you want to see a queer family's journey in suburban New England. It's a pretty soapy drama, so if that's your thing, you'll be well set.

Don't see it if you want to feel like your characters' choices are earned; you want fully developed characters; you are interested in full resolution

See it if you're into a weird immersive art installation/theatre piece that is about dolls and art and art with dolls.

Don't see it if you're not into weirdo shit.

Also I actually dug this. It's underdeveloped and needs some work on the flow and technical elements. But the individual experiences were kind of great and bizarre. And the art is creepy and delightful.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a (dare I say) feminist take on fellatio that is clever, literary, and inspired. This tight stand-up set may make Novak a star.

Don't see it if you're uncomfortable with frank and hilarious depictions of sexuality; you don't want to think of penises as little ladies.

See it if you like improv, hip hop, and an enjoyable night of entertainment. This takes "yes and..." to a whole new level.

Don't see it if you're looking for a traditional book musical or show. This is a pure improv show with a beatbox base. But don't be afraid to try...

Also ...something new. I mean, I never thought I would shed a tear at a freestyle rap about Thanksgiving inspired by the audience suggestion of "pumpkin spice". And yet that's what happened to me.

This show is worth multiple viewings.... Read more Read less

See it if several great pop numbers in a concert-style musical reimagining the fates of the wives of Henry VIII. although for a show purporting to

Don't see it if rewrite history, it fell short...it wasn't nearly as smart or as subversive as it claims (and clearly desperately wants) to be...that said,

Also it was a lot of fun, and I've been humming a few of the songs since I saw it. It's definitely worth a night out. just don't expect to be blown away by the story... Read more Read less

See it if you want a modern updating of the Greek tragedy; you want to be surprised by Rose Byrne's chops; you like minimalist staging

Don't see it if you're uncomfortable with ambiguous motivation or violence; you don't like the use of projection/video

Also This was everything Betrayal tried to be but so much better! I was captivated by the performances by every member of the ensemble and was, frankly, surprised at the range shown by Rose Byrne. Some of the side characters were underdeveloped, but such is often the case in Greek tragedy. My only major gripe is that the kid actors that I saw were hard to understand sometimes because they sped through their lines. But that's youth for you! This was a very good production that I would highly recommend.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see Dylan's music beautifully adapted and sung; you want to see some excellent performances from a great cast

Don't see it if you want a tight, well-written book; you have trouble following multiple story lines

Also This show could completely change the dynamic by reframing the narrator's dialogue. I just didn't know who to care about in all of the sprawling plot lines. And so many of the characters' stories were left hanging. While the music and performances were sublime, the book was frustrating and slow. Like I'm mad at how good this show could be...but very much isn't.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a brief and poignant reflection on life and the inevitability of death; you don't need conventionality in your theatre

Don't see it if you want a fully developed plot; this is more of a performance art/concert/storytelling session. But my gosh it works...I wanted more!

See it if you want to see an off-beat tale of the last gasps of a 50-year marriage; you are comfortable with ambiguous endings

Don't see it if you are uninterested in the lives of people older than 50; you will mind occasional melodrama and overacting

Also I went into this show with absolutely no expectations and was very pleasantly surprised. Bess Wohl's script unfolded in ways that felt both surprising and authentic, and most of her characters felt fully-developed. The entire ensemble (minus maybe Ben McKenzie) gives outstanding performances, and I was moved to tears (both of laughter and sadness) at several points during the plot. The structure of the show wasn't perfect, but the strength of the text and the performances outweighs any of the smaller issues I have with the show.... Read more Read less

See it if you can overlook a silly premise and find a show that actually has a lot of heart and some decent songs behind it

Don't see it if you want your emojis to stay in your phone.

Also I'll be interested to see what this songwriting team can do when they're working with more serious subject matter. There's some real talent there, even though this particular show is pretty cheesy.... Read more Read less

See it if you're a fan of the movie...you want to see a charming cast in a show that is still finding its feet...

Don't see it if you want a fully developed piece...you want your secondary characters to be fleshed out at all

See it if you like your musicals to have a clear and modern point of view; you're a fan of Alanis; you like musicals about familial disintegration

Don't see it if you're fundamentally opposed to new shows built on existing music; you don't want to see sexual violence on stage; you don't like Alanis

Also I went in to this show with really high expectations. I'm exactly their target audience. I'm a big old theatre junkie who was in high school when Jagged Little Pill came out. It was the soundtrack of many of my teen angstiest moments. So by the end of the first act, I was a little disappointed. Everything felt a bit by the book. Nothing was bad...just...all very expected. But then in Act Two, when everything unraveled, the show was sublime. You Oughta Know was breathtaking. MJ's breakdown and recovery were phenomenal.

Several of the side characters remain underdeveloped, and the plot is unnecessarily complex. But the second act more than makes all of the weaker elements of act one.... Read more Read less

See it if you're looking for a very solid community theatre production. I was most impressed by the dramaturgical choice to center the idea that

Don't see it if Pippin is about suicide and mental illness. It actually made me reconsider the entire meaning of the show - a show I know very well. The ...

Also production is a bit uneven overall, with wildly varying levels of talent (Charlemagne lost 60% of the lyrics to War is a Science), but there were some glimmers of brilliance, particularly from Catherine and Berthe. This is definitely a strong production for the value.

One note: the Leading Player got a little out of control with his whip...it looked dangerous at times, and it flew incredibly close to the front row. Don't sit in the front row.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a super intimate updated take on a problematic musical from the early 80s; you want Alice Ripley to belt three feet from your face

Don't see it if you want a fully developed, interestingly staged site-specific piece. Don't get me wrong, this piece (both the show itself and this ...

Also production) is kind of a mess. But it's such a unique opportunity to be in a tiny space with a minuscule audience and a really solid cast. Even with all of its flaws (and there are many), this show is 100% worth seeing.... Read more Read less

See it if you're looking for a very talky four-hander that explores life, death, and the spaces where they meet; you don't mind some trickery

Don't see it if you want your plays to show you things rather than tell you; you mind sudden darkness; you want a clear definitive answer

See it if you want to witness a star making performance by Adrienne Warren; you love Tina's music; you want to see a better than avg jukebox musical

Don't see it if frequent and casual violence against women and children bothers you; you're fundamentally opposed to jukebox musicals

See it if you want to see two excellent actors overcome a fairly banal script. Francesca Faridany is good and Kate Mulgrew is transcendent in this.

Don't see it if you want anything more than a straightforward unsurprising biographical glimpse into two female scientists. The issues and ideas are wholly

Also expected and presented in standard ways. And the prologue and epilogue serve as awkward bookends to the rest of the text. And while the script is mediocre, this production is worth it for Kate Mulgrew's brilliant performance alone.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a master class in acting from two of the finest of our generation ... Or if you liked The Father

Don't see it if you didn't like The Father. Or if you want any sense of closure or pathos from a script.

See it if you want to see a solid but uneven production of this brilliant classic work. The cast is fantastic, and the text really holds up.

Don't see it if you want directorial choices that best highlight the text itself. I found a number of the staging and structural choices confusing and

Also distracting from the text itself.

See it if you want to see a fantastic cast working with some complex and challenging material; you're willing to be patient with an ambitious and

Don't see it if uneven piece...it's overwrought and exhausting in places. But there's something brilliant in the unconventional structure and writing

See it if you enjoy Broadway spoofery with a talented cast

Don't see it if you're not into comedy or don't think you'll pick up on some deep cut Broadway jokes

See it if you want to see a brilliant examination of life for gay men in the post-AIDS crisis world; you don't mind a story within a story construct

Don't see it if you want a tight, cohesive narrative. The show occasionally sprawls, gets a bit preachy at times, and is hella melodramatic. But the whole..

Also ...is much better than the sum of its parts.

See it if you missed the 2016 production; you want to see if Posner's text holds up with no bells and whistles; you want to support some rising talent

Don't see it if you need a polished production or actors that know how to project. But the text really stands on its own.

See it if you want to see a gorgeous cast singing and dancing their asses off. Some pieces of the show were fantastic, and Joshua Henry gave his all.

Don't see it if you want a book that makes any sense at all. You want a score that offers variety and lyrics that advance the plot.

Also A show about a wrongly-convicted black man with an R&B score really should have had much much more to say here. There's so much potential in this piece, but only the performances and the choreography lived up to my expectations. I really hope this show gets the attention that it needs because it could be something really special with a lot of work.... Read more Read less

See it if So, I've seen hundreds of shows, but somehow I'd never seen Phantom. And now all I'm wondering is what it was like 30 years ago when the...

Don't see it if ...show was fresh and interesting and the cast cared. Because this has not aged well, and it felt like everyone was phoning it in.

See it if you're interested in one woman sharing her personal journey with love, sex, and life.

Don't see it if you need a cohesive structure. There were a lot of vignettes that, to me, didn't come together to be worth it overall.

See it if you want a glimpse into late 50s/60s Manhattan; you enjoy pontifications on art and the creative process; you enjoy good live jazz

Don't see it if you need a linear plot; you want a play with a clear theme and mission; you mind simultaneous and overlapping scenes; you don't like jazz

Also There are some really brilliant moments in this show, and the acting is sublime. But there are about 9 different plot lines, and it's incredibly hard to keep track of them. The text is incredibly dense and feels unnecessarily pretentious at times. The first act has promise, although it's still muddled. The second act descended into schlocky melodrama. I hope the playwright takes the time to edit this and really figure out precisely what he's trying to say with this show. If you like the premise but want to see something that's fully formed, go check out Say Something Bunny, which uses found footage to much stronger effect.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a fascinating Japanese Noh-inspired take on Greek tragedy. The staging is beautiful, and the structure is captivating.

Don't see it if you're looking for something super accessible or are unwilling to engage with different cultural styles of theatre.

Also You'll do best if you brush up on the plot of Antigone and on what the structure of Noh theatre is. It's visually stunning, but the show's a bit dense and hard to engage in. But it's definitely worth it to step out of your theatrical comfort zone to check out this show.... Read more Read less

See it if you're a fan of Tracy Letts or any of the cast members. The acting is great. But the story is infuriating.

Don't see it if you don't want to be yelled at by a mediocre old white guy or you're turned off by explicit sex scenes and nudity.

Also This show was "Old Man Yells at Clouds: The Tracy Letts Play". The last thing Broadway needs right now is yet another mediocre white guy pontificating about the state of the world and shaking his fist at society and how he's misunderstood. This guy treats everyone like shit. And somehow women -- MULTIPLE WOMEN -- swoon over him and end up in raunchy nude scenes. And...SURPRISE!!!...he finds his creative energy again after being rejected for being a douchebag.

Just say no to this patriarchal shitpile of a show.... Read more Read less