Kurtal

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

See it if you are interested in an ambitious horror/magical realism piece that focuses on the Latine experience in Arizona; you like cool stagecraft

Don't see it if you aren't into stories that involve the paranormal; you are troubled by domestic violence

Also Overall, I liked this piece a lot. It's quite ambitious and could probably use some script tightening. But I thought the story was quite compelling, and I loved seeing some excellent stagecraft. I would have liked to see some variety in the energy levels brought by the performers -- they felt like they were at 11 at all times, and I needed a little bit of a break at times. But this piece made me very interested in seeing more of John Caswell's work.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a good-looking cast deliver a very mediocre script; you enjoy ensemble pieces about contemporary gay life

Don't see it if you want any sort of thoughtful insight; you can't bear cliched writing

Also the cast tried really hard to elevate the writing of this piece, which traded in every possible gay male millennial cliche. There were a few funny moments, but they weren't strong enough to offset the otherwise broad stereotypes that the playwright offered.... Read more Read less

See it if you're interested in the intersection of race, sexual orientation, and sports; you want to see some excellent performers

Don't see it if you're uncomfortable with nudity, strong language, or sexual assault; you want to cherish the memory of the original production

Also I really enjoyed the first act, which was filled with excellent performances, notably from Patrick J. Adams and Tyler Lansing Weaks. Jesse Tyler Ferguson is strong, and Jesse Williams is fine, albeit a bit flat. I had a hard time with the second act -- through no fault of the cast -- I just think the story itself hasn't aged well. The tone felt off in the last 15-20 minutes, and I don't think the play deals with the actual consequences of its characters' behavior -- particularly that of Darren. That said, if you're drawn to the show, go for it...and make your own conclusions... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see an un-flashy play examining the intersection of language, immigration, hope, and identity

Don't see it if you're looking with a script that ties things up neatly; language and its connection to culture and identity aren't of interest to you

Also As someone who has studied linguistics and lived and studied at language schools like this, both in America and abroad, this play was tailor-made for me. The themes were gorgeous, timely, and beautifully delivered. The structure of the play needs a little bit of work, as I found some of the transitions awkward, and some of the scenes lacked punch. But overall, I really loved this little piece.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in an epic (albeit preachy at times) examination of the tensions and challenges of the modern French-Jewish experience

Don't see it if three hours and a lot of argumentation sounds like a slog

See it if you want to see a fun and quirky show with mostly forgettable music and a book in desperate need of an overhaul

Don't see it if you aren't interested in history, dogs, or the space race; you aren't willing to put up with some mediocrity to find some lovely moments

Also I appreciate what Blaemire and Hughes were going for here. They are clearly having a lot of fun, and that is great. The show is at its best during its love story (?) between Laika and the Chief. The history lessons were less compelling, and the music, overall, was fairly forgettable. But I still left with a smile on my face.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a well-written and well-performed operatic adaptation of an excellent play; it's fairly accessible opera, so don't be scared

Don't see it if you don't like opera in any way; you need a fast-paced piece

See it if you want to invest time and energy in a piece that is very rough around the edges but has the potential to turn into something excellent

Don't see it if you want a complete piece; you don't like a rap/hip-hop infused score;

Also I'll start with the good stuff:

Beautiful choreography. Fantastic cast, with standout performances from Tamika Lawrence and Ephraim Sykes. Several truly excellent songs.

And then the frustrating stuff. There are some basic flaws with the book. No character isn given appropriate motivation for their journeys. The show walks the line between high satire and deep tragedy, and by not picking a lane, it fails at both. Tariq Trotter is a fantastic musician and lyricist, but his performance lacked gravity that could have anchored the show. And the final number, while beautiful, felt incongruous with the rest of the show and its message. An I want song for Max in Act One would have been really helpful. Jennifer Damiano's Act Two song should be retooled and introduced way at the beginning so we know about her internal struggles earlier. Lillias White is criminally underused.

I hope that the creative team takes some time to really make some changes to this piece. It could be great...... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see some phenomenal performances in an unevenly written 19th century melodrama set to 20th century music

Don't see it if you want anything from the 21at century

Also It felt like there were two plays happening simultaneously. Several of the actors really leaned into the high camp melodrama, and those elements were delightful and, at times, hilarious. Others were playing it a bit too earnestly. The juxtaposition of the two was confusing.

But overall; this was a lot of silly fun.... Read more Read less

See it if you can separate the man and the art; you want to see a star-making performance from Myles Frost; you want a better than avg jukebox musical

Don't see it if you hate jukebox musicals; you don't like Michael Jackson

Also Look, I generally hate jukebox musicals. And this production fell into a lot of the tropes that I don't like -- treacly flashbacks -- a weird mix of diegetic and non-diegetic musical numbers -- shoving too many numbers into the show. And at the same time, it's worth it for two reasons: Myles Frost's breathtaking performance and the Thriller number.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a brilliant small scale production of a master work of theatre; you want to support smaller companies; you need catharsis

Don't see it if you might struggle with an unflinching portrayal of cancer, health care, palliative care, and death

Also I saw the original off Broadway production many years ago, and this production is as good if not better. The intimate staging and brave portrayal are challenging and inescapable. It will move you beyond words.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a portrait of the disintegration of working class Black Detroit; you are a fan of Dominique Morisseau's work

Don't see it if you want a flashy production; you want a deeply satisfying resolution; you aren't interested in supporting Black theatremakers

Also I saw this at Atlantic Theatre Company, and it was, truth be told, better and more impactful there. While Phylicia Rashad gave a good performance, I had trouble hearing her throughout the performance. I saw the understudy for Shanita, who was excellent. But this is still a show worth seeing, and I am excited to see what else Dominique Morisseau has in store in her career.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see Cecily Strong give a phenomenal performance in a seminal piece of feminist theatre; you can follow a complex nonlinear plot

Don't see it if you dislike solo shows; you're not willing to be patient for a strong payoff; you don't like non-linearity or experimental plot structures

Also yes, the show is occasionally confusing at times...I couldn't follow all of the threads and went searching for a plot summary as soon as the show ended. But Cecily is wonderful, and I was incredibly moved by the end of the show, which had me in tears. Definitely worth the adventure... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see some big theatre names in a classic show; you are a fan of the show itself; you want to see a fine but unsurprising revival

Don't see it if you aren't a fan of classic musicals; you want upbeat pacing; you want a new take on the show at all

Also Here's what I loved:

Sutton Foster
Jayne Houdyshell

Here's what I hated:

Weird slow pacing...orchestrations that felt off...underwhelming choreography (was it toned down for Hugh?...the ensemble clearly could have done more)...several strange casting choices (Mrs Parou was about 30 years too old to be Winthrop's mom, even though she was delightfully funny)...the "curtain call" dance number was a hot mess

Here's what I was just generally disappointed by:

Hugh Jackman -- He was muddle mouthed...didn't enunciate enough for what the lyrics demand...his characterization just felt off.

This was a perfectly fine production that will please a lot of people. But it didn't live up to my very high expectations.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a brilliant cast perform a masterpiece; you appreciate a stripped down production; you can be patient through a slow start

Don't see it if you don’t like performers playing their own instruments; you have trouble following complex lyrics; you’re not a fan of John Doyle’s style

Also The direction was a little clunky at times, and the first few numbers were slow and lacked energy. But the cast is outstanding with standout performances from Will Swenson, Stephen Pasquale, and Ethan Slater. This show is brilliant and stands up to some occasionally lackluster directorial choices. I was deeply engrossed throughout the second act, and the Booth/Oswald scene was some of the best theatre I’ve seen in a long time.... Read more Read less

See it if you're looking for a fairly run-of-the-mill musical adaptation of a classic comedy; you're a big fan of the movie

Don't see it if you don't like movie musical adaptations; you're looking for tunes that will stick with you; you don't like overstuffed plots

Also Like...I'm not angry that this exists. It was perfectly fine. And the girl who played Lydia was excellent. But the show just kinda doesn't really need to exist. It's a fine, lighthearted, inoffensive show. *shrug*... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a gorgeous cast in a gorgeous set singing pretty songs

Don't see it if you want *anything* beyond visual and auditory appeal; this show doesn't know what it is; it's way too long; what was the point?

See it if you want to see masterful performances in a 66 y/o script that (tragically) could have been written this year; you can sit in discomfort

Don't see it if you aren't interesting in examinations of representation; you aren't willing to be patient through a slow (and uneven) first act

See it if you want to see a strong but not flawless piece from the usually excellent Lynn Nottage. This has a phenomenal cast giving their all.

Don't see it if you're expecting perfection from the script. It's a little too on the nose in some spots, and a little confusing in others. But that CAST!

See it if you are a fan of Byrne's music or are open to a well-crafted theatrical concert; you want to see good music presented in a compelling way

Don't see it if you're looking for much more than a concert; you don't like Byrnes

Also I enjoyed myself overall, and I think the show started and ended very strongly...but I found myself drifting away at points in the middle. I'm certainly glad I got to experience this live, but I wouldn't tell anyone that it's a must-see.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to support work by Black creative teams; you are looking for a lighthearted but ultimately fairly shallow comedy

Don't see it if you want a fully developed plot with characters with strong rationales; you want a deep or moving story

Also This was fun, but I wish it had been even more of a broad comedy. The romance at the center felt unearned and uninteresting. The show was at its best when it leaned into its silliness.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a really great fashion show

Don't see it if you want Diana’s story told with any care or respect

Also This show is everything bad about broadway. It’s a cash grab that doesn’t give any insight into the characters. This just didn’t need to happen.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a great cast in a surprising and heartwarming new musical; you want to be moved and delighted

Don't see it if you’re looking for a kid’s show - this is firmly PG13/R due to language; you’re not willing to overlook some unevenness

Also Saw it in previews, and there’s still a little bit of work to do on some of the songs and the libretto to really tighten it up and to smooth out some plot points. But oh my this show has a heart of gold. Victoria Clark is wonderful. Bonnie Milligan steals every scene she’s in. Justin Cooley gives a star making supporting performance. The second act isn’t quite as focused as the first, but none of those nitpicks matter. This show was wonderful, and I will be shocked if it doesn’t transfer. See it now before it’s impossible to get tickets.... Read more Read less

See it if you like documentary theatre; you're a fan of Anna Deavere Smith and want to see an evolution of her trademark style; you care about justice

Don't see it if you want traditionally structured shows; you don't like interview transcripts as text; you're uninterested in conversations about race

Also Anna Deavere Smith's one woman show structure is a classic staple of modern American theatre. However, in this production she has adapted and updated the text for an ensemble, crafting the transcripts into a compelling combination of her typical monologue style and more traditional scenes. She has added an epilogue that draws a straight line between the LA riots and George Floyd which could have felt heavy-handed but didn't. The cast is uniformly fantastic, but I was particularly impressed by Francis Jue and Elena Hurst. Jue's monologue as Jessye Norman is breathtaking. I'm a huge Anna Deavere Smith fan, and I was curious how her work would translate into an ensemble piece, but I needn't have been worried at all. This is a phenomenal production.... Read more Read less

See it if you’re a big fan of Neal Brennan’s work; you don’t mind navel gazing comedy from a privileged white guy

Don't see it if You’re looking for new takes on just about anything.

Also This was disappointing to me. There were a ton of tired jokes about political correctness and how hard it is to be a liberal and gender and relationships. There were some lovely moments of authenticity that poked through but the whole thing felt very tired to me.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a charming story with a heart of gold; you want to support stories about LGBTQ+ youth; you want to be uplifted

Don't see it if you don't like primarily kid casts; you don't want a show that's a little very-special-episode; you could be triggered by attempted suicide

Also I went into this show truly knowing nothing about it and was really charmed. It's a little uneven in the second act, and I don't think the Diana Ross motif worked as well as it could have (what if Diana had been the nurse in drag the whole time?! Now *that* would have been something). But the first act was delightful, and the young cast is excellent. This is definitely worth a viewing.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a new musical with solid performances; you don't mind a plot that isn't fully cohesive; you like Tom Kitt & Brian Yorkey

Don't see it if you want to understand all of the characters' motivations; you are over white men being at the center of otherwise diverse stories

Also I will be very interested to hear how the show continues to develop. I felt like we were thrust into the plot without having time to understand what was going on with the main characters. Knowing that there have been discussions about the centrality of a straight white man in a story about immigration gave me some hope, but the seeming attempts to decenter David Hyde Pierce's character felt forced and incomplete. There's a really strong show in here if they continue to focus on Tarek and Zaineb and move the narrative away from Walter. But in the meantime, it's a perfectly serviceable show.... Read more Read less