MamaLovesTheater

See it if you like deep thinking plays about queer and gender politics.

Don't see it if you don't want to think - this one requires it!

See it if you want to see what the hype is about - there's a lot of hype and it lives up to it.

Don't see it if You don't like rap. I'm not a rap fan, honestly. I LOVED the sung music - but I would have enjoyed it overall if there had been less rap.

See it if you have never seen Anika Noni Rose on stage - she's a marvel. It's the 1st revival of this show in 75 years and it is wondrous.

Don't see it if I can't think of a reason, really. If you don't like old musicals? Honestly, it's spectacular.

See it if you like well told stories acted beautifully; you have an interest in graffiti as art; you are interested in stories of urban youth

Don't see it if you can't be open minded about the place graffiti holds in the art world; you aren't interested in stories of urban youth.

Also If you care about diversity in theater this is a must see.

See it if you can read supertitles to follow the story (or know ASL). This is a really interesting play interpreted by both deaf and hearing actors.

Don't see it if You can't follow supertitles or don't know ASL - it can be easy to miss key points if you are watching vs. reading.

Also I found this show to be even more profound by use of a deaf actress in the lead.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to experience an epic and iconic piece of historical American drama.

Don't see it if You don't like shows about the AIDS crisis. You don't like wordy shows.

Also This production brings out the humor and humanity of the time as well as the tragedy of the AIDS crisis. It's 8 hours of theater which is not for everyone - but this is a true American classic and needs to be seen.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in stories where strangers touch each other in ways that change their lives even if they will never see each other again.

Don't see it if you don't like stories that aren't tied up in a perfect bow at the end. This story is like life - unresolved - but in a beautiful way.

Also This is a gorgeous musical (beautiful music, really) about what it means to be lonely and how we can change each others lives.... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in the AIDS crisis from a different point of view.

Don't see it if you don't like dramas where people die.

See it if you're a huge fan of musicals.

Don't see it if you're not a fan of reviews with no narrative. you want the GREATEST hits - some of the choices from each show were lesser known songs.

See it if you like thought provoking theater - this one will stay with you for days.

Don't see it if frank discussions of race make you uncomfortable.

Also I quite liked this - for my money I thought the projections cheapened the production - but otherwise it was all wonderful both visually and verbally. It was maybe 10 minutes longer than it needed to be. But a few cuts would tighten it up and it would pack quite a punch.... Read more Read less

See it if You like southern styles of music (best part of the show!) and great voices.

Don't see it if You need well done period design or fast paced comedy. It's long and the staging is stiff.

Also The direction, design, and book tank this show that has outstanding music and great singers.... Read more Read less

See it if You really appreciate great writing.

Don't see it if If another love story isn't your cup of tea.

See it if you are a member of the indie theater community - this is very "inside baseball" and not all references/jokes will be caught by everyone.

Don't see it if you aren't a member of the community it's about.

Also Martin is super important - I'm not discounting that. But this is not really a play. It's a series of stories about one guys life in and out of the theater - oral history style. The female performer is particularly good at portraying multiple characters and you will likely laugh your way through it - but I fear non-theater people simply won't connect. It feels like a very narrow audience.... Read more Read less

See it if You like complex writing, wit, family drama

Don't see it if You don't like being up close and personal with the action.

See it if you like great acting. This was the first time I truly understood Tom.

Don't see it if you are a Williams purist.

See it if you like Grand Guignol, Sondheim, incredible singers, pared-down productions that feel huge, dark stories.

Don't see it if you don't like musicals, dark stories or tales of revenge.

See it if you like Tim and Tyne Daly.

Don't see it if you want a complete story.

See it if You want a light and funny evening at the theater and an escape from today!

Don't see it if You don't have a sense of humor, don't like rom-coms, don't have an appreciation for the past.

Also Wonderful acting and direction, amazing design, funny script by a FEMALE PLAYWRIGHT.... Read more Read less

See it if you are a musical theater historian or a Jessie Mueller fan.

Don't see it if you want to see something relevant - or if you are a Jessie Mueller fan and want to see her shine (her talent is wasted here).

Also I find the colorblind casting problematic in this production.

See it if You love this musical - you won't be disappointed even at this small venue and smaller budget.

Don't see it if I can't imagine why you wouldn't.

Also Despite not loving the two female leads, the cast was superb. The direction phenomenal. The design surprisingly good considering the budget restraints (although true fans of the musical will likely miss the grand Follies costumes - these come off cheap looking.) This is one of Sondheim's best scores. It's a don't miss.... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in new plays but understand that many times they haven't smoothed out the rough edges yet. The acting is great.

Don't see it if Memory plays aren't your thing. You don't like direct address or plays with narrators.

See it if It's just such a good time. I laughed so hard I cried.

Don't see it if You want your theater to really be theater - this is really puppet stand up - but so well done.

See it if you like one person shows I guess.

Don't see it if you find one person shows to generally be all about the actors ego.

Also The projections are weird, the sound is poorly designed, what is that set? the staging is awful. The actress might be a draw for some - but for me she spoke to quickly to be able to follow her and just ended up tripping over her words - all of this ended up confusing me instead of taking me on the ride. I can see that this woman is a trained actress and I might like to see her sometime in a more riveting role, but one person shows tend to lack tension because there's no one else for the actor to have tension with.... Read more Read less

See it if you like rom-com's in the Neil Simon vein (but don't expect Neil Simon).

Don't see it if you like depth.

Also The writing is really only so-so. The lead actor is great, and the supporting actress is too - but the leading lady is too showy for my taste, completely presentational. The costumes are great and pop right off the stage without seeming like costumes, but the scenery is bland at best. (And why is there a clothes closet in the middle of the living room? Not to mention the fact that the apartment layout makes no sense...)
The worst part is not being able to figure out why the leading lady's character is attractive in the first place - she's really awful (personality wise).... Read more Read less

See it if You don't expect a lot of production value and like seeing plays that may not be quite ready for an audience.

Don't see it if you want a polished production.

See it if you like rock/punk cabaret style storytelling.

Don't see it if you are homophobic, frigid, don't like immigrant stories, and don't like glitter (it will follow you home, believe me!).

See it if You like candy colored musicals and of course, Ms. Midler!

Don't see it if You don't appreciate the old musicals.

Also I love a good cakewalk - and one of the best ever is in Act II!

BUT - Check your tickets - we arrived late because we didn't know it was an early curtain. Grr. Hate the early curtain.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to hear Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole LIVE IN PERSON. There's literally NO other reason to see it.

Don't see it if you want a story with substance.

See it if fantasy worlds are your thing.

Don't see it if you get bored easily (it's all talk).

Also The actress is wonderful and quirky and you understand why the male character falls for her - but overall the piece could be about 30 minutes shorter.
This is a good company - well renowned - who do well produced plays. If you want great sets and costumes and good acting you can't fail with their work. I just didn't love the script.... Read more Read less

See it if you are a history buff, love non-fiction and/or war stories (WWII).

Don't see it if you want to see a lot of female characters.

See it if you like Sara Barelles' music or the movie it is based on. See it if you like strong central female characters.

Don't see it if you don't like pop music.

Also I confess I did not know Barelles' music before I saw the show and was quite delightfully surprised by its depth. She's not just a pop princess.... Read more Read less