Kurtal

See it if you want to see the playwright's deeply personal reckoning with their relationship with their father told in an unconventional way

Don't see it if you want traditional structure or despise audience interaction

Also this felt like an A- MFA thesis. There was some good stuff here, but I think it needs time to continue developing into a fully fledged show.... Read more Read less

See it if you love the text; you want to see an uneven but fairly charming YA book adapted for the stage with some lovely performances

Don't see it if you want a perfect book or hummable tunes...there's a very good. show in here, but the book needs a lot of work

See it if you want to see powerhouse performance from an all-around excellent cast; you want to appreciate an unmatched piece of theatre canon

Don't see it if you're a total purist; there are some directorial choices, especially towards the end, that I found heavy-handed and unnecessary

See it if you want to see some breathtakingly good choreography and some very solid orchestrations...and little more

Don't see it if you are looking for a well-written book or a well-structured show; you despise Kate Nash's music

Also the good parts of this show are great -- wonderful choreography and excellent musicality. But the story is a hot mess. The creators need to get back to the writers room and break out their index cards to fix the unnecessarily convoluted plot. And, for the love of god, figure out what Kate Nash's character is meant to be and her relationship to the rest of the characters. I think they're going for a Leading Player/Emcee vibe, but it doesn't work at all. Give her a purpose!... Read more Read less

See it if you're already a fan of the genre or of any of its stars appearing in the production; or if you're willing to figure it out

Don't see it if you want a good book or a traditionally structured music; you're not willing to fill in some language gaps, as there's a lot of Korean

Also This could be a good show, but I don't think it has translated well out of its immersive version. There are too many plots to follow, but none of them are fully developed. There aren't many access points for people who aren't already familiar with the genre. I'm rooting for the show, as I'm a big fan of diverse genres and narratives on Broadway...but in its current form it still needs a lot of work to attract a consistent audience.... Read more Read less

See it if you're interested in a lovely but flawed examination of grief and identity; you want to support up and coming artists

Don't see it if you're confused by nonlinear plots or flashback sequences; you aren't used to listening to accented English

Also I actually liked this show a lot, but I'm an oddly specific target audience for it, in that I lived in Ankara for three years and am roughly the same age as the playwright. So I got a lot of the references and was able to fill in some of the contextual gaps that a general audience may not.

The show is somewhere between a play and a musical, centered on a young Turkish woman who has returned home from college in the US to reckon with the unresolved grief of her mother's death. With some structural changes, this could be a very strong piece, but in its current state, it's a bit hard to follow.

I read some of the other critiques of accent usage, and the playwright is using a pretty standard device in which the characters speak in unaccented English to represent them speaking Turkish and in accented English when they're speaking English. This is used to good effect, but it does get thrown off a bit by one actor (the garbage man) whose accent is, admittedly, all over the place.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a nice little mood piece on 70s rock music, or you're a massive fan of the move

Don't see it if you're looking for a fresh take on the show or you want a more accessible musical theatre score

Also There's nothing in this production that told me that this movie needed to be adapted into a musical. It's a very faithful adaptation, and the score is okay if quite repetitive. Some strong performances across the board, but I left the theatre wondering why this needed to exist.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a fresh but ultimately uneven production of a classic but fairly mediocre musical; you like unconventional casting

Don't see it if you want traditional production and staging; you don't like modern updates of classic texts

Also when this production gets it right, it soars, but it's incredibly uneven. Definitely worth attending for some stellar performances (particularly Carmello and Porkalob). But certainly not a must-see... Read more Read less

See it if you want a respectful yet modern interpretation of this classic text; you're okay with some inventive (and occasionally distracting) staging

Don't see it if you don't like somewhat flashy productions of classic texts; you're looking for a definitive production

Also Super strong take on Albee's classic with some award-worthy performances. A bit over-directed at times, but still worth it overall... Read more Read less

See it if you love the book but won't mind a watered down and un-nuanced interpretation

Don't see it if you despise the trope of closeted queer villains and their connection to pedophilia

See it if you want a strong production of Parks's two-hander; you want to see two award-worthy performances; you are interested in race on stage

Don't see it if you need true realism in your text; you're not ready to dig into a piece laden with metaphor and symbolism

See it if you want an epic tale of the impact of the rise of Naziism on one sprawling Viennese Jewish family

Don't see it if you're uncomfortable with actors playing multiple roles; you already have a solid awareness of Jewish European history

Also this is a well acted production with writing that feels very pedantic and "teachy". So many history lesson monologues. I feel like the show is simultaneously too big and too small. It's a solid Stoppard outing, but it lacks the insight of his better plays.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a lovely intimate musical with unusual subject matter. Star turns by Clark, Milligan, and Cooley.

Don't see it if you want a flashy musical with a huge cast; you're uncomfortable with dark subject matter treated with humor

See it if you want to see a strange yet beautifully moving meditation on terminal illness and accepting one's fate.

Don't see it if you're not open to some unconventional storytelling and aren't willing to settle in to a somewhat ambiguously defined world

Also I see a lot of theatre. And this piece moved more than just about anything I've seen recently. It's a strange little production -- bizarrely constructed with a lot of unanswered questions. But once I surrendered to the world that the playwright and director created and embraced the metaphor, I was rapt. The show is clearly a work in progress (I saw it early in previews), so don't be dissuaded by some of the early negative reviews. This is a unique gem of a show and is not to be missed.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a well-paced, well-written, well-acted production of a show examining caretaking and the fear of isolation

Don't see it if you're uncomfortable with on-stage nudity; you want a splashy production

Also I thought this show was gorgeous. I saw it early in previews, so there were a few scenes that I think the actors still need to settle into, but all of my issues are minor quibbles. This is a beautiful show that will challenge, entertain, and surprise you.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see some good unknown performers taking on a classic tale

Don't see it if you want interesting music or a compelling plot

Also Overly simplistic music and lyrics, lots of plodding exposition. There were one or two compelling songs, and the performers did the best with what they had. But the writing just felt incredibly amateur... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see two strong actors working through some pretty impenetrable material

Don't see it if you're not into 90 minutes of recitative

Also I *think* there's a good show in here. But I found the structure and the music pretty dense and impenetrable. LaChiusa, the audience needs an entry point into your show. But the two performers gave it everything they had... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a stripped down version of ITW with a ridiculously wonderful cast

Don't see it if you're looking for a Bartlett Sher-style lavish revival...this is a production that lets the score and book speak for themselves

See it if you're interested in a speculative fiction Chinese ghost story

Don't see it if you're not

Also This just wasn't my bag. The cast was working hard. But horror isn't a genre I think works particularly well on stage, and I just couldn't connect with the material.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a wonderfully acted show about a dinner party and the far flung conversations it comprises

Don't see it if you're not willing to wait through 90 minutes of fairly aimless talking for a sublime final 20 minutes

Also This won't be everyone's cup of tea, and I get that. It's very talky and very heady and doesn't always seem like it is going anywhere. But that kind of ends up being the point -- in a world that has driven us into isolation and solipsism, we have to intentionally relearn how to interact with each other as humans -- and it gets awkward at times. But the last 20 minutes or so were absolutely gorgeous and, to me, very much worth the journey to get there.... Read more Read less

See it if you're interested in a staging of a fascinating, wide-ranging conversation between Nikki Giovanni and James Baldwin

Don't see it if you are looking for a plot-driven piece that is more than a documentary style glimpse of an existing, real-life interaction between the two

Also Baldwin and Giovanni take you on a wide-reaching journey of intellectual thought and philosophical examination of the world in 1971, much of which resonates with the world today. I'm not entirely sure that the piece needed to be staged, as I think just as much could be gained watching the YouTube recording of their interaction. But there were some truly profound moments of engagement, and it was compelling to see two great minds grappling with society's wicked problems.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a low-tech, dated, nostalgia-filled musical spoofing R&J and Brooklyn Italians; it's a throwback show that's way funnier...

Don't see it if ...than it deserves to be; it's very kitsch and very pastiche, and if that's not your thing, you can skip it; but if you're looking for a...

Also ...light-hearted good time in a show that knows exactly what it is and doesn't take itself even the slightest bit seriously, you're in for a good time.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a frenetic, postmodern examination of the underbelly of gay white maleness; you like audacious, ambitious, irreverent theatre

Don't see it if you want high production value; you don't like self-referential theatre; you struggle with SUPER fast dialogue or pop culture references

Also There's brilliant writing in this piece. It was hard to follow along due to the sheer speed and pace of the production and the performances. This verges on opacity, which I think unfortunately obscures the central message of the show (if it has one...that was unclear). It's brash audacious theatre, and I laughed my ass off. So if you're down for something a bit nuts...go for it. It might be better to simply watch this as a livestream. I found the in-person aspect a bit distracting and wonder if I'd have been able to focus more on the narrative and the writing if I wasn't seeing the quick changes and production elements.... Read more Read less

See it if multigenerational queer family dealing with love, trauma, and loss...a few very strong performances...support black queer artists

Don't see it if you want all of your characters to be fully developed; all of the plot points beyond grandpa felt superficial and first-thought

Also I think there's a great show to be found in here...focus more on grandpa and his journey and let him actually be the catalyst for the other characters. Dad's journey felt completely contrived, and his redemption at the end felt unearned. Of all the characters, the father's choices and actions felt the least authentic and organic -- and I think that's because of the writing more than anything. I love that more stories centering on queer characters of color are being produced. And I hope this one keeps getting worked on.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a contemporary piece focused on the experiences of young Black men; you like dramas that center modern life

Don't see it if you want an evenly written piece; there are a lot of abrupt tonal shifts, and character inconsistencies that are hard to justify

Also There's a really brilliant play in here. I wish most of the scenes were longer and the characters had more time to breathe and exist more organically. The catalyzing action happened offstage and so early in the play that I didn't have time to fully care about the characters that were affected. The writing of the principal was frustrating -- he was both antagonist and inspiration in ways that felt internally inconsistent and unjustified. BUT...the actors are doing really great work. Essence Lotus in particular steals their scenes -- and has a really moving monologue towards the end. I hope Donja Love keeps working on this piece because he has some very important things to say.... Read more Read less

See it if you are a big fan of Shaina Taub's music; you want an ambitious take on the Suffragist movement of the early 20th century

Don't see it if you want a score that lives up to the material; you aren't ready to sit through a nearly three-hour show

Also There's a very good show here. But I found the music repetitive and the characters too archetypal. I think this would work best as a 90 minute intense examination of one more specific moment within the broader movement. I think it tried to do too much, and I found the music to be not diverse enough to sustain a three hour show.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see Hamlet queered, turned on its head, and set at a Black family's wedding BBQ with strong meta and self-referential elements

Don't see it if any of the above isn't of interest to you

Also It took me a minute to settle into this play, and every time I thought I was at ease, it surprised me. I *think* I loved this play. Lots of hilarious moments layered onto deep and intense tragedy. I've got some processing to do on the last 15 minutes or so, as I was definitely in a different emotional place than the rest of the audience seemed to be. I'm really excited to see more work from this playwright. Let's get more of his work to NYC!... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a small, moving, slow, but ultimately deeply profound two-hander about unlikely friends, loss, and unfulfilled dreams

Don't see it if you can't be patient through a very wordy, two-person show that's a bit claustrophobic and has a very slow build

Also Once I accepted that this was going to be a simmerer of a show, I was able to sit back and focus on the excellent text and subtle performances. I became completely drawn into the relationship between the two characters and the journey they traveled together. And that ending...oof...a total emotional gut punch that could have felt cloying and manipulative but managed to feel completely heartfelt and earned. Bravo.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a simultaneously straightforward and revolutionary take on this classic; you want to see a stellar cast take on brilliant material

Don't see it if you don't like Sondheim's music;

Also This stripped back, straightforward production allowed the focus to stay on some truly revelatory choices made by the cast. Heather Headley and Sara Bareilles in particular took characters that are so tied to other performers and brought them new and refreshing takes. There really isn't a weak link in the cast. And Milky White as the standout?! Who'd have ever expected.

Into the Woods is one of my favorite shows, and this was a truly wonderful production of it.... Read more Read less

See it if you've ever stage-doored; you have a deep and nerdy love of musical theatre; you don't mind some bumpy writing

Don't see it if you're not a musical theatre buff; you want really smart takes on gender and sexuality; you don't understand fandom culture at all

Also I really enjoyed this because I've been the two main characters. I got all the references. I've had many of those conversations. And much of the rest of the audience seemed to have that same insider theatre knowledge. The show wasn't quite as smart as it thinks it is with its engagement with sexuality and gender dynamics. There are some good ideas in there...but some of the choices felt forced and out of character...I hope they keep working on it to tighten the transitions and character motivation. But overall it's a delightful fun love letter to musical theatre... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a foul-mouthed fifth-grader go on a hilarious and heartwarming journey to self-acceptance

Don't see it if you don't like kids swearing; you don't like \ musicals that deal with challenging subjects; you're uncomfortable with (very) dark humor

Also I was pleasantly surprised by this! It's not a perfect show, especially with the book. But there are several winning performances in this -- and the actor who plays young Sarah is fantastic. You have to be ready for some dark humor and very adult language coming out of the mouths of kids. I hope this show works out some of its books issues and cleans up some of its supporting character arcs because there's a really great show in here.... Read more Read less

See it if you're a fan of any of the cast members; you like fairly bare-bones approaches on Shakespeare; you've forgiven sam gold for king lear

Don't see it if you don't like Shakespeare in modern dress with little sense of specific location

Also I went into this with very low expectations, as Gold's King Lear was one of the worst things I've ever seen. But it was fine. A perfectly middle-of-the-road Macbeth adaptation. Good acting all around, but still pretty mediocre as an overall production.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see two of Broadway's best performers giving award-worthy performances

Don't see it if you are uncomfortable with very dark subject matter involving grooming, child abuse, and sexual assault

See it if you long for bold and daring musical theatre; you are ready to be confronted and challenged; you want to work through some parental issues

Don't see it if you're uncomfortable with frank representations of race/sexuality; you're a Tyler Perry stan; you think theatre should be fun and escapist

Also I saw this at Playwrights and, while I liked it, I didn't really know what to do with it. It was so unexpected and new that it bowled me over, but I didn't fully process its message or emotional impact. But this time, this show reached inside of my soul and ripped me inside out. What a revelation of what theatre can be.

There are some scenes in the middle that drug a little bit, but every ounce of the emotional payoff at the end is earned. This is not easy theatre. Go ready to think, to feel, and to be challenged. It will be worth it.... Read more Read less

See it if you don't mind Mamet's writing style (or general persona); you want to see three solid performances

Don't see it if you think Mamet should crawl in a cave where he belongs; overly cluttered sets are frustrating to you

See it if you are a big SJP fan -- she gives three excellent performances

Don't see it if you're uncomfortable with casual misogyny, outdated gender politics

Also Matthew Broderick sucked the life of out of every scene he was in. Oof.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a great cast giving great comedy; Rachel Dratch gives an award-worthy performance; I really enjoyed the heck out of this

Don't see it if you don't like onstage vomit; you don't enjoy farce; you are expecting a political comedy to be very political

Also I'm not quite as rapturous as some of the other reviews here, but I really had a good time. There were some uneven bits, and there's still some timing to be worked out (previews!), but this is a well-written, light-hearted, romp of a comedy with solid performances across the board. Julianne Hough was the biggest surprise to me...she really delivered. Not a weak link in the batch. This was a heckuva a lot of fun.... Read more Read less

See it if very dark comedy with a solid cast -- and amazing set design! Satirical take on justice, vengeance, and the death penalty

Don't see it if you're uncomfortable with capital punishment as a catalyst for dark comedy; you're impatient with very thick accents

See it if you're a hardcore devotee of all things Little Prince; you're impressed by aerial acts at all

Don't see it if you have high expectations of the quality of performance that should be on a Broadway stage

Also this was such a yawnfest. Nothing about the choreography or aerials elevated this piece, and the narration was so distractingly bad. Bleh.... Read more Read less

See it if you're a devotee of the show or a fan of any of the principles; you don't mind a non-belting Fanny

Don't see it if you want your Fanny to be a powerhouse vocalist; you need Fanny and Nick to have real chemistry

Also The Good:

Beanie's performance in Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat
Ramin
Jane Lynch's comedic timing
Jared Grimes throughout
Beanie's comedic acting
The overture!
The comedic elements of the book
Body inclusivity
Beanie's acting of Don't Rain on My Parade.
His Love Makes Me Beautiful

The Not So Good:

Beanie's breath support. Belty notes are there but they were few and far between.
The transitions - Scene changes were clunky
Beanie & Ramin's relationship - some of this is the fault of the book. Nick is a cipher which makes his attraction to Fanny confusing.
Beanie in her first few scenes. They felt sloppy and unintentional. Not sure whether to blame her or director. It gets better throughout, but first few scenes left me scratching my head.

There's a lot to like about the production. But if you're expecting consistently belty-powerhouse vocals from your F, this is not the production for you. If you're cool without them, then you'll be fine!... Read more Read less

See it if you're into the idea of a theatre piece that's more immersively staged choral performance than plot-driven show; gorgeous music abounds

Don't see it if you're looking for a traditional book piece

Also This show is everything I look for in a modern show - confrontational, evocative, beautifully written and scored, and experimental. I was moved to tears several times by the score and its delivery. A lot of Dave Malloy vibes, so if you're into work of his like Octet or Ghost Quartet, this is definitely cut from the same cloth...but better, I think.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a brilliant take on a modern classic; you're up for a bonkers text that requires work to digest

Don't see it if you're not into unconventional plots or postmodern narrative devices; you can't deal with a three hour show

Also I went into this not knowing the text at all, and I was totally blown away at how relevant it felt. I give all the credit to Ileana Blain-Cruz's directing and some powerful performances -- especially a starmaking turn from Gabby Beans. The production design is phenomenal -- as you should expect from LCT. But this is a long show, and it takes some time to settle into what is definitely a weird piece. The second act dragged a little (and there were some sound issues when I saw it -- yay previews!), but the third act was immensely moving and poignant. Turn off your expectations, buckle in for the ride, and I think you'll find it to be worth it.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a beautiful piece of classic Black feminist theatre that stays relevant; you want to see a fantastic cast

Don't see it if you're not interested in a piece that's more spoken word poetry than plot-driven theatre; you're triggered by discussions of sexual violence

Also I saw this production at the Public and liked this version even more. I saw it in previews, so there's still a bit to be worked out with some of the passing and transitions, but this was a wonderful and moving experience. My only quibble is that I wish there had been a trans or nonbinary cast member. Even so, this was a beautiful production, and I can't recommend it strongly enough.... Read more Read less

See it if you're a big fan of Crystal's comedy or you're nostalgic for the Catskills of the mid-20th century; you are cool with light-hearted fluff

Don't see it if you want your leads to be great singers; you are under 50; you are looking for any hummable tunes

Also this was very good at exactly what it is - a somewhat schlocky nostalgia fest for Borscht Belt comedy starring some excellent comedians. However, a great musical it is not. The songs are just okay, and Crystal and Paymer are not singers in any way, shape, or form. So much so that Shoshana Bean and Chasten Harmon were distractingly good with what little they were given to do. So, look, this show is fine...and Crystal is a living legend. But I'm 42, and I'm still probably too young to be its target demographic, so we'll see how it fares.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a moving but fairly expected heart warmer of a show; you are a fan of Debra Messing; you could use a good cry

Don't see it if you're looking for something unexpected; the show is lovely but a little bit Hallmark Channel; and the epilogue felt extra heavy handed

See it if you want a well-composed historical piece with a strong score and several outstanding performances

Don't see it if you believe some of the early mixed reviews; you want to be humming songs post-show; you think Garth Drabinsky is a dirtbag

Also I was primed to not like this based on some of the early reviews and reported backstage drama. But I was pleasantly surprised at how tight the show was and how strong the performances were across the board. Go see it for yourself...but I was truly impressed.... Read more Read less

See it if you are okay with a completely new take on The Life; you want to see breathtaking performances, particularly from Ledisi

Don't see it if you don't want to see a hatchet job on the book; you like Cy Coleman's original orchestrations

Also this made me really grumpy. The orchestrations ruined the show for me...every song was given a funk-infused vibe, which could have been fine...but it ended up with every song sounding the same. IDK...I feel like this could have been great, but it just fell flat to me.... Read more Read less

See it if you're ready for a balls-out examination of race, gender, and power in the past and the present; you want to support Black artists

Don't see it if you're a white liberal who isn't ready to be held to task

Also this is one of the best things I've seen in a long time...I was uncomfortable, challenged, and still laughed my ass off several time. Dominique Morisseau continues to build her bonafides as one of the most important voices of our time... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see lots of songs about life with Miss Pandy by a range of emerging songwriting talent; you're okay with a song cycle

Don't see it if you aren't ready for art to engage with COVID; the idea of a song about sourdough starter is too much

Also Great young cast giving their all; some of the songs were really moving; a few were clunkers; but this was overall delightful... Read more Read less

See it if you want an unconventional story about a couple of Nuyorican queer folks in Jamaica; you want to support queer voices of color

Don't see it if you are looking for a fully conceptualized show; the plot was all over the place

Also there are some decent ideas here, but this really felt like it needed a lot more time to develop into a fully actualized piece...I hope they keep working on it... Read more Read less