Maria 24

See it if You want to take a trip back in time with a vivid and uncompromising protagonist.

Don't see it if You’re looking for a comedy.

Also Wonderful acting and a cappella singing propel this story of Bird, a black lesbian living in small-town Mississippi in 1960.... Read more Read less

See it if You're a fan of PBS's Finding Your Roots.

Don't see it if You're not in the mood for a complicated show that requires you to pay close attention and evaluate what you're seeing.

Also I'm not sure why this musical left me strangely unaffected. At the end of it, I was unsure what to think. I had such mixed emotions. The story is interesting, but the characters are each so flawed by death and trauma. It's like all of them are operating as best they can despite suffering from PTSD. They live in a fantasy world and project those fantasies onto others, and then are upset that the other person isn't going along with it.

This was my first encounter with a Friedman score. Based on that, for me he is along the lines of Dave Malloy. He also writes intelligent, wonderfully constructed music that for some reason I don't connect with. Of course that may be saying more about me than about them.

Wonderful vocal performances across the board are a delight to hear!... Read more Read less

See it if You love classic musicals. You’re a Jerry Herman fan. (Sadly, he didn’t live to see this revival.)

Don't see it if You’re obsessed with the show’s purported book problems.

Also I think this is one of the best Encores productions I have ever seen. Lead Alexandra Socha was an appealing and feisty Mabel and sings the heck out of the role. Douglas Sills made the most out of his character, which is quite unsympathetic for the most part, and sings gorgeously. The so-called book problems didn’t bother me at all, although I can see them when they are pointed out.

I’m very glad and grateful I got to experience this show!... Read more Read less

See it if You’re okay with a very low-key approach to a family’s difficulties, their day-to-day struggles to make a better life for themselves.

Don't see it if You’re looking for high drama and histrionics.

Also As I was watching I thought the plot could have been more interesting, but I was surprised to find I was very moved at the end. So I guess this play sneaks up on you rather than hitting you over the head.... Read more Read less

See it if You’ve enjoyed previous plays by Kate Hamill; you like vampire stories.

Don't see it if You’re not interested in Dracula, or, conversely, you’re a Dracula purist.

Also I found the tonal shifts a bit disconcerting. Some of the time it’s a serious horror story, other times I thought I was watching Dark Shadows.... Read more Read less

See it if You like out-of-the-box theater; you are prepared to use your imagination.

Don't see it if You like realistic sets and large casts.

Also This production, stripped down to the essentials, is surprisingly moving. Two actors, one playing several instruments, a mostly bare stage. It’s enough to convey the pain of being alone in the word, seeking a connection in vain.

Great acting!... Read more Read less

See it if You’re a baby boomer who paid attention to what was happening when you were growing up.

Don't see it if You get frustrated by hearing snippets of songs.

See it if You’re a Charles Busch fan who’s ready for another atmospheric go-round.

Don't see it if You’re into realism.

Also Given a fine production by Primary Stages, The Confession of Lily Dare pushes all the buttons for Busch fans. I had the nagging feeling that the script could have been funnier, but judging from the laughter of those around me, I’m in the minority. I did think this was better than Cleopatra, so Busch is heading in the right direction. And his game supporting cast is excellent. Beautiful costumes and lighting too. If you are a Busch fan, don’t hesitate to see this!

Also, Mr. Busch, how about a NYC revival of Vampire Lesbians of Sodom?... Read more Read less

See it if You’re on board for a disturbing story that will make you think and make you feel.

Don't see it if You’re in the mood for something light.

Also An engaging story, wonderful performances, and inspired direction all combine to bring this play to life. Yes, it’s very disturbing to hear the white character use the N word and to see the racism that permeated U.S society in 1944. But the play’s sorrowful ending delivers a gut punch and sent shivers down my spine. And of course it poses the question, are things really better today, or just less overt?

Besides the play’s performances from all that would constitute a master class in acting, Kenny Leon’s inspired use of singing and stomping added a subtle callback to the past racism of work farms and chain gangs.

I confess that I have been avoiding “heavy” shows and favoring comedies that will distract me from our current political situation. I’m glad I made an exception for this. Even though Soldier’s Play pulls you through the wringer, the payoff makes it worth it.

A win for Roundabout!... Read more Read less

See it if You like classic plays that make you laugh.

Don't see it if You have no patience for the classic elements of farce: mistaken identity, eavesdropping, and people pretending to be in love with someone.

Also London Assurance dates from 1841, and no one would mistake it for a Guirgis play. But director Charlotte Moore has assembled an amazing cast and stripped away the cobwebs that would hamper a lesser production.

Well-paced, and with gorgeous costumes and set design, London Assurance is surprisingly modern, as it pokes fun at entitled old guys who think they are irresistible. In contrast to that, the women come to realize that they have the ability to guide their own fate. Highly recommended!... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy the concept of a revue based on Maury Yeston's work. For me, it was a fun introduction to him.

Don't see it if If you want a "real" musical. This is a revue, without a story.

Also On the day my friend and I attended, one of the singers was out sick. But the four remaining castmates did a great job. Tremendously talented, they put over the songs very well. Some humor numbers were interspersed, and I enjoyed the variety of emotions conveyed.

This is the type of show that makes me marvel about the number of amazing performers we have here in NYC.

Highly recommended!... Read more Read less

See it if You're a Richard Nelson fan; you enjoy plays that unfold gradually and don't hit you over the head.

Don't see it if You're looking for a comedy; you like a lot of action.

Also I'm a huge Richard Nelson fan. I love the way his plays take their time to unwind, gradually unfolding, revealing much. I also love how the titular family is so interesting in their interactions. They don't agree on everything, but they're far from dysfunctional.

For this play my friend and I sat in Row A, which turned out to be on stage. We loved being so close to the actors. I think it enhanced the experience. We were in the Michaels' kitchen, for all intents and purposes.

In this play, one of the characters is in the throes of a serious illness and at the same time forced to confront her legacy. I found it moving how the other characters dealt with the situation with varying degrees of fear and acceptance.

Even though I'm not up on the world of dance, I liked the change of focus interesting and enjoyed the dance interludes. Other audience members remarked upon exit that they like the political Nelson plays better, but I found the dance to be a novel addition.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to say, “Now THAT’S how you turn a movie into a stage musical!”

Don't see it if You don’t like musicals, you don't like pop music of the ’80s, or you don’t like stories that focus mainly on young men.

Also More guys in makeup than Kinky Boots! ❤️

See it if You are a committed theatergoer who doesn’t mind being challenged.

Don't see it if You’re not willing to cut the playwright some slack for indulging himself.

Also I honestly had no idea what was going on for three-fourths of Act I, and so I fled.... Read more Read less

See it if A long, very bleak but well-written tragedy is what you're in the mood for. You don't mind a show that's almost three hours (first preview).

Don't see it if You're looking for something light that won't requite much brain space on your part.

Also I am a fan of Sam Hunter and enjoyed Lewiston/Clarkson last year. This play is set in Idaho, as you'd expect, in the fictional town of Greater Clements. The "greater" is kind of a wry joke. The town is heading for extinction, and so is the family headed up by Judith Ivey's character. (She's great.) Edmund Donovan is excellent as her troubled son.

The plot keeps you guessing, and there is an extraordinary scenic effect that must have cost Lincoln Center Theater an arm and a leg and a kidney or two.

My friend and I were in it until the end and were not tempted to split during either of the two intermissions (although people did). But I found the ending unsatisfying, despite one crucial scene in Act 3 that was illuminating.

The character of Kel was somewhat underwritten, and that's not excusable in a play of almost three hours. Ken Narasaki was excellent as Billy.

Just be prepared for a whole heap of sadness!... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a still relevant show despite the sad realization that times haven’t changed that much.

Don't see it if You don’t like one-person shows; you dislike verbatim theater.

Also This show is a tour de force by Michael Benjamin Washington. He vividly creates so many distinct characters. But I was wondering why he didn’t attempt a New York Jewish speech cadence. He did Australian very well, so it’s not as if he was unable to. It must have been an artistic choice, but I think it would have added to the verisimilitude.... Read more Read less

See it if You’re up for something different. The poetic language can be a challenge if you’re more used to something more literal.

Don't see it if You’re expecting a straight narrative.

Also I sat on stage and had a problem with the sound design. Some of the text was not intelligible for me. As a result, I didn’t connect with all the material.

Beyond that, I think that the text is uneven. Some of the choreopoems are just stronger than others.... Read more Read less

See it if You love Harvey Fierstein (who doesn’t?), you like bio plays and are interested in women’s rights.

Don't see it if You don’t like one-person plays.

Also I enjoyed this play but I couldn’t help but wonder how it would be if Harvey had cast an actress in the part. Yes, it was fun to see him as Bella. He nails the roller coaster trajectory of the woman’s story: comedy, poignancy, and umbrage.

But he is such a unique performer, with that distinctive voice, that I never felt I was actually watching Bella Abzug. I found myself wondering how it would be if an actress in costume played the part.... Read more Read less

See it if You're a fan of Tesori and/or Hwang. The cultural assimilation of Asians in the U.S. interests you.

Don't see it if You're looking for a big Broadway-style show. Your tastes run to the conventional.

Also I really enjoyed each element of Soft Power. The acting, staging, direction, book, and music were all fine. The show filled the Newman's stage nicely.

But for some reason I didn't find the show completely satisfying, and I'm not sure why.

Also, I think I had very high hopes for a new Tesori musical. I am a huge fan of Fun Home, and I subconsciously was hoping for another work of genius. The score was certainly professional, but it didn't reach the heights of Fun Home. (Very few shows do.)

By the way, Conrad Ricamora was absent for my performance and Billy Bustamante went on as Xue Xing. I thought he was excellent.

I also want to give a shoutout to the wigmaker. The hairpieces were excellent. And in this show, the characters' hair is very important!

Worth seeing for its exploration of Asian assimilation, but maybe temper your expectations.... Read more Read less

See it if You’re close in age to the 50-year-old main character. If you’re much younger, you may not enjoy this.

Don't see it if You’re tired of plays about middle-age white guys.

Also Whether you enjoy this play or not depends in large part on how you feel about the main character of Wheeler. I personally found him hilarious. But I can see how others are finding him tiresome to the point of being unbearable.

Excellent performances all around make this a treat.... Read more Read less

See it if You love Marisa Tomei and want to see everything she does. You’re a Tennessee Williams completist.

Don't see it if Fake-sounding accents bother you.

Also This is a weird production of a boring play featuring stock Italian immigrant characters. The accents grated on my nerves after a while.

Maybe the Rose Tattoo was hot stuff in its day, but it hasn’t aged well. It’s just very tedious. I didn’t connect with any of the characters.

I couldn’t wait for it to end. We didn’t hit the street until 10:50, making it almost three hours. Be forewarned.... Read more Read less

See it if You liked both Jersey Boys and Motown. This is a mashup of those two.

Don't see it if You don’t like the music of the Temptations or you don’t know who they are.

See it if You’re up for a unique take on a dysfunctional family drama.

Don't see it if You’re in the mood for a comedy.

See it if You’re a diehard Sondheim fan.

Don't see it if You’ve seen it before. Once is probably enough.

Also Although this show probably won’t be any Sondheim fan’s absolute favorite, it’s an interesting and unusual story. It’s certainly worth seeing if you’re a fan. Glorious singing from Esparza, Uranowitz, and Jin Ha.... Read more Read less

See it if You’re a serious theatergoer. This Stoppard duo is rarely performed and is worth your time.

Don't see it if You’re not in the mood to think about what you’re seeing and interpret it.

Also Be sure to read the director’s note in the program beforehand for crucial context.... Read more Read less

See it if You loved Come From Away.

Don't see it if You’re looking for something light.

See it if You’re in search of real theater.

Don't see it if Depictions of violence on stage disturb you.

See it if You’re a friend of someone in the cast. Or you're Ben Brantley.

Don't see it if You want to laugh.

Also After reading the NYTimes review for the previous production and other comments online, I went in with high hopes for a fun time. But my friend and I exited the theater scratching our heads.

IMHO, I think there are three reasons for this:

1) The script is good for a chuckle or two but is not consistently funny.

2) The direction is static. Actors stand in place and deliver their lines. I'm surprised, given that Leigh Silverman is an accomplished director. Maybe she has too much on her plate.

3) The acting is uneven. The excellent John Ellison Conlee went whole hog on his part as the mayor and was very funny (and he sings so well too). Unfortunately, despite the talent of the cast, none of them even came close.

I love Phillipa Soo, but she didn't display any comedic chops here. And even Andy Grotelueschen, who was so hilarious in Tootsie, was defeated by the flat material.

Sorry to say, I am at a loss as to what attracted such high-level Broadway talent to this property!... Read more Read less

See it if You like classic Broadway but don’t mind when it’s updated. You’re a Meredith Willson fan.

Don't see it if You don’t like when classics are messed with.

Also This is my first experience with The Unsinkable Molly Brown, so I can’t say what had been changed. But it’s substantial, from what I’ve read.

To me the show seemed to go from issue to issue, especially in Act 2: unionizing, various charities, shelters for dogs, giving women the vote, immigration. At one point I thought Molly was giving Mother Teresa a run for her money. But then Molly moves to Europe and spends her time at fancy balls. I guess she’s multifaceted!

And as far as the music, this ain’t no Music Man. The songs are tuneful, but none distinguish themselves.

Leading lady Beth Malone is a marvel. The dancing and staging are wonderful, and everything is very well sung.

Overall, a fine night at the theater!... Read more Read less

See it if You have room on your schedule for a well-written play that features actors who breathe life into their characters.

Don't see it if You’re looking for a musical.

Also This play is such a nice surprise! I had never heard of it, and I’m glad this wonderful work is getting a first-class revival by the Keen Company.

It’s a manageable size, with five actors and one set, but it manages to conjure up its rich setting of the Harlem Renaissance as the country heads into the Depression.

All the actors are tremendous, but in particular John-Andrew Morrison is wonderful as the flamboyant Guy, and Alfie Fuller sinks her teeth into Angel, who does what she has to do to survive.

The direction brought out the best in the material and kept the proceedings moving at a good clip.

Bravo to all!... Read more Read less

See it if You're curious about what a sex comedy of the Sixties has to say to an audience in 2020.

Don't see it if You're prudish; you dislike seeing scantily clad actors; you're sensitive to herbal cigarettes. The smoke was oppressive at times.

Also I fail to see the rationale behind this show. The writing isn't so deep that it provides new insights into the human condition. The music isn't memorable, so that's not it either. I can't see that the show is speaking to a modern audience. If so, I personally failed to see what it is saying to us!

The performances were great, and I give each actor props for letting it all hang out like that (although there's no complete nudity). The costumes were evocative of the period, and even humorously so. The band was great.

But still, Why this? Why now?... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see and hear fantastic Broadway talent in a new musical.

Don't see it if The love child of Dear Evan Hansen and Be More Chill doesn’t sound appealing to you.

See it if You’re okay with a tense storyline that keeps ramping up in a subtle way as the main character sinks deeper and deeper.

Don't see it if You need bells and whistles to hold your attention. This play has a bare set and is directed very straightforwardly.

Also While watching, I kept saying to myself, Why aren’t they reading her her rights? And why isn’t she asking for a lawyer? But however far fetched, that’s what really happened!... Read more Read less

See it if You think that elderly people saying the F word is funny. Actually, I happen to think that it is.

Don't see it if You want something deeper than a sitcom.

Also I really enjoyed Beth Wohl’s previous look at a dysfunctional family, Make Believe. I thought it was novel, surprising, and moving.

Grand Horizons has a ironic title and a compassionate viewpoint of aging in America. It also has many laugh-out-loud moments. But the characters don’t develop and gain insight, except for Jane Alexander in her role as the plain-spoken matriarch.

I enjoyed all the performances and recommend seeing this if you can score a decent discount.

I really liked the video curtain projections! They set the stage nicely for the play.... Read more Read less

See it if A slice-of-life look at father/son relationships, politics, and sorrow grabs you. And why the heck not?

Don't see it if You are not interested in human nature and how we get by, around the world.

Also A friend saw this in London and raved about it. I thoroughly enjoyed this offbeat production, in spite of the trouble I had with the African accents. The show shifts seamlessly between locations in Nigeria, London, Zimbabwe, and Lagos, and in the process holds a mirror up to human nature at home and abroad.

I loved the lively pre-show (go up on stage and get a “trim” from a “barber”) and boisterous scene changes.

Loads of fun!... Read more Read less

See it if you're a Guirgis fan who's up for seeing something not quite ready for prime time.

Don't see it if A show about people with severe problems is too depressing for you.

Also Act 1 was hard for me to handle, being introduced to all these troubled souls. Plus, the biting, back-and-forth insults didn't strike me as particularly funny. I was quite depressed at intermission. But I did care about the characters and so I stayed.

I agree with those posters who say there are too many storylines, and that makes it hard for the playwright to flesh out so many individuals. The play would benefit from some smart trimming. Personally, I would cut out the characters Jennifer, Happy Meal Sonia, and her daughter. (No dis to these actresses.) But something's got to go.

The performances are excellent, and the cast features many Guirgis stalwarts that I recognize from other plays of his.

One of the more interesting offerings of the season!... Read more Read less

See it if You like classic plays and don't mind if they're given an unconventional treatment.

Don't see it if You can't sit or pay attention for a long play (almost three hours); you've already seen enough productions of The Crucible to last you.

Also This was my first exposure to The Crucible, so I can't compare it to other productions. But I was seated in the playing area on one of the tall chairs, and I really enjoyed the immediacy. (The wooden chair was really uncomfortable though.) For Act 2 my friend and I opted to move into the main seating area, and I have to say I regretted giving up my on-stage seating. Sitting close to the action in this astounding production pays dividends. Plus, it's harder to hear the actors the farther back you sit.

I enjoyed all the performances and the inventive staging. Highly recommended!... Read more Read less

See it if You like family dramas set in the past. You enjoy the pull between the old ways and the new ideas that threaten them.

Don't see it if You don’t like subtleties.

See it if You can appreciate a well-done biography that is much more than a Wikipedia entry. You like the history of women’s rights.

Don't see it if You don’t like two-character plays.

See it if You like shows with social justice themes.

Don't see it if You’re okay with a two-person musical, especially one in which each performer is alone (well, with one brief exception) for an entire act.

Also Justin Cunningham (as Benny) and Daniel Fulton (Ruby) give amazing vocal and acting performances. But for me, personally, they weren’t enough for me to make peace with the odd format. You have only two people in the cast, and they share a stage for only a few moments? The show had me wishing for a more conventional show.

The music is beautiful even if not very hummable. It was enhanced by magnificent orchestration by Michael Starobin, who seems to be prolific beyond belief and is the winner of two Tonys that I could see. The six-person band played the heck out of the score and sounded terrific.... Read more Read less

See it if You’re up on your Broadway and want to laugh.

Don't see it if You haven’t set foot in a theater in years.

Also My friend hesitated to see this edition of FB because she hadn’t seen all the shows that are spoofed, but she needn’t have worried. This show is so unrelentingly funny and fast-paced, there’s plenty to enjoy. And it turned out she had seen more of the shows than she thought.

Filled with insider observations, such as the fact that if you go to see Ain’t Too Proud the likelihood is high that you will be catching understudies, this show gleefully skewers fussy divas desperately looking for work and the idea of making a musical out of Fleabag.

Also, there is a two-drink minimum at this venue, but you can, for instance, order bottled water for $6 each and take one home with you.

Highly recommended!... Read more Read less

See it if You’re a fan of Peter Dinklage. He’s terrific here.

Don't see it if You hate adaptations of classics.

Also Many wonderful elements make this show worth seeing, even if they don’t always cohere.

Peter Dinklage is wonderful and is always interesting to watch. I didn’t mind his singing voice at all. Jasmine Cephas Jones is stunning and sings the heck out of the part.

Choreography/movement by the Kupermans brings the battle scenes to life and are visually striking and inventive. I admired the brothers’ work in Alice by Heart also.

Lighting design is top-notch.

Aspects of the show that don’t quite measure up include the score, which is adequate but seldom rises above that. The music just isn’t theatrical.

The direction is somewhat static, with characters just standing in place while singing. But when I got bored, luckily background choreography (such as what the bakers were doing) was always worth watching.

With a better score this would have been a must-see instead of a nice-to-see.... Read more Read less

See it if You’re a David Byrne fan. But even if you’ve never heard of David Byrne or Talking Heads, there much to enjoy here.

Don't see it if You’re expecting a show with a narrative and dialog.

Also I loved this impossible-to-categorize show of new and old music from Talking Heads mastermind David Byrne. It’s presented as a concert with movement on a bare stage. Byrne provides context for each song in brief, anecdotal remarks that added to my appreciation of what I was hearing.

Although many of the songs deal with heavy topics, the overall effect is one of hope, that humans can change if we make the attempt to connect with one another.

Wonderful renditions of I Zimbra, Burning Down the House, and Once in a Lifetime. The newer songs weren’t as striking as those but not bad at all.

Such a wonderful percussion section also.

Here's a suggestion, though: The diction can be cleaned up a bit. I think theater standards should be used here, instead of rock concert standards. If I was unfamiliar with a song, sometimes I had a hard time making out the lyrics. (I was seated in the last row of the balcony.) And the lyrics in this show are very important.... Read more Read less

See it if If you want to see world-class talent singing the heck out of a wonderful score.

Don't see it if You don’t like shows that are sung-through; you’re not prepared to be devastated.

Also I loved the performances and the choreography and the music. The story, however, is something else. It's just unrelentingly bleak. There is no chance for anything remotely resembling comic relief. In a show like the great Fun Home, even though it deals with heavy topics, there are at least two wonderfully comic songs that break up the proceedings. Not so in The Wrong Man.

And is The Wrong Man an important story that would justify putting an audience through the wringer? Well, I guess in part. People are wrongfully convicted every day. But in this case, we don't learn that Duran was set up because of his race, or because of an overzealous prosecutor, or a witness who was lying. So I'm not sure of how much a message the audience leaves with. He and his DNA were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Another problem is that the sung-through format in this case doesn’t tell the story adequately.

Go for the performances! And if you're devastated at the end, as I was, so be it.... Read more Read less

See it if You’re a fan of the playwright and simply must see everything he’s written.

Don't see it if You like plays with real, fleshed-out characters that have a story to tell.

Also This play is a case study in missed opportunities and features the worst ending ever. Or at least since Six Feet Under.... Read more Read less

See it if You don’t mind when The Bard is reimagined.

Don't see it if You are a purist and like your Shakespeare straight up.

Also It’s times like this when I am in complete awe of the talent we have hanging around the New York stage. Here we have the wonderful Alysha Umphress, channeling a kind of 1970s-style Stevie Nicks witch, back on stage with her On the Town colleague Jay Armstrong Johnson. Ryan McCartan held his own admirably as, basically, Macbeth, and Taylor Iman Jones sang the heck out of (Lady) Pat Macbeth. But really, everyone was great.

Setting the story in Scotland, Pennsylvania, in a fast-food restaurant enabled the playwright to contrast the prosaic background with clever touches, one example is an automatic deep fryer that inadvertently found a new use, similarly to the wood chipper in Fargo. You can just imagine that one.

I enjoyed the tuneful score, very well sung by all. A standout is the Act 2 number sung by the son of the restaurant’s former owner. Not all the songs measured up to that one, which had a unique point of view, but they did the job.... Read more Read less

See it if You’re a fan of the playwright and want to see the whole cycle. You’re up on the history of Africa in the 20th century.

Don't see it if You’re easily confused by leaps in time.

Also I loved the two previous plays in the Ufot cycle, which will eventually include nine. But perhaps it would have been better if the playwright had released them in chronological order. I found Runboyrun hard to follow and it took me a while to figure out what was happening. It kept me off balance. It is quite a harrowing and upsetting play.

Also, the character of Abasiama didn’t seem to be the same person as the one introduced in the first two plays, Sojourners and Her Portmanteau. Overall, I had high hopes for these two, and I left the theater somewhat deflated.... Read more Read less

See it if You’re not too fussy about what you’re seeing.

Don't see it if You expect comedies to actually be funny.

See it if You don’t want to miss a rarely performed Shakespeare play. You love politics.

Don't see it if You’re willing to accept other people’s opinion about why Coriolanus is rarely performed.

See it if You're in the mood for a comedy that you don't need to think about too much. In fact, thinking in depth about the plot is NOT recommended!

Don't see it if You don't have a silly sense of humor.