Maria 24

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. You have difficulty accepting when shows mix fact and fiction.

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. Part of it could be that I have trouble accepting when a character based on a real person, in this case Hillary Clinton, does fictional things.

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 want to see two amazing actors tackle a very untraditional love story.

Don't see it if You dislike two-person plays.

See it if You enjoy shows that make you think, that present disturbing aspects of life.

Don't see it if You prefer shows that clearly tell a story. This one is open to interpretation.

Also I really enjoyed the singing and stepping, but now I feel guilty about it.... Read more Read less

See it if You’re concerned with how gay people are persecuted and are forced into hiding.

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

Also Basically this is a play showing how organized religion can be a force for ignorance, hatred, and cruelty.

See it for the talent onstage. Ato Blankson-Wood is excellent as usual and even gets to sing a little. (I hope he’s in another musical soon!) Latoya Edwards’ lovely performance as his sister perfectly captures both her love for her brother and her horror at his gayness. Myra Lucretia Taylor commands the stage, as usual! All of these incredible actors deserve their busy schedules on the New York stage.

The show is not easy to watch at times, but I felt it was a good use of my time.... Read more Read less

See it if You're in the age range roughly 13 to 18 and are looking to see a Broadway show.

Don't see it if You're older than 18 and want to see a Broadway show.

Also I took advantage of a great deal on Show Score even though I am quite a bit older than the intended audience.

I was dismayed to see an understudy slip for four roles, including the two leads.
I decided to root for the underdogs, and I ended up enjoying the show.

One understudy in particular, Talia Suskauer as Chloe, impressed me with her stage presence. But she really amazed me with her aplomb in tackling a scene with a set-piece malfunction!

I had never seen the show before, so I didn't know what to expect. It was the seduction scene in Jake's parents' bedroom. She was going through all her moves until an announcement from the stage manager: "We are experiencing a technical difficulty. Will all actors leave the stage."

After a short hold, the show started up again, and a king-size bed rolled out onto the stage! I realized that the actress had been valiantly continuing with the seduction despite the lack of the bed! She's definitely the understudy of the year in my book!... Read more Read less

See it if You’re tired of being a member of the beaten-down middle class and want someone to sing your praises for a change.

Don't see it if You’re looking for a fully staged show. This one, per the usual Encores approach, is staged very simply.

Also I came for the two new songs by Lin-Manuel and stayed to enjoy everything!... Read more Read less

See it if You don’t want to miss seeing Laurie Metcalf in anything. John Lithgow is also excellent. A nice pairing of talent.

Don't see it if You have had it with politics up to here.

See it if You like to laugh and at the same time look for a deeper meaning.

Don't see it if You hate the fourth wall being broken because this happens...a lot. You find it tiresome for characters to sit around and complain.

See it if You like classic Shakespeare but are open to a modern-day setting.

Don't see it if You’re looking for a short play; you don’t like Shakespeare.

Also What I enjoyed most about this Much Ado is that the line readings were consistently excellent. All the actors delivered their lines in a way that made the meaning clear. Kenny Leon did his job well.

Danielle Brooks, Grantham Coleman, and Chuck Cooper gave wonderful performances. Incidental music and short dance breaks were fun but added to the run time. The show ended about 10:50.... Read more Read less

See it if You have a well-developed sense of humor and don't mind a trip to the Borscht Belt.

Don't see it if You dislike Jewish humor.

Also Unlike many comedies that start out strong and peter out, Enter Laughing takes time to build. Once it hits its stride, however, it's an unstoppable laugh riot.

Chris Dwan plays the young Carl Reiner character with an endearing goofiness. And I imagine it takes a lot of talent to play an awful actor. He nails it. I can't wait to see what he does next. But all the actors are terrific and put over the material hilariously.

Even though the humor is from the Borscht ht Belt era, the execution has such novel touches that you can't help but explode in laughter.

Wonderful direction keeps the action moving along, and I have to compliment the musical director too for the wonderful diction of all the singers. Every word sung was crystal clear and all the jokes in the lyrics instantly understandable. Bravo!

Sometimes you want to just go to the theater to laugh and leave the troubles of the world outside. If this is you, put Enter Laughing at the top of your list!... Read more Read less

See it if You're interested in pop music and want to see a behind-the-scenes viewpoint.

Don't see it if You want a comedy; you're looking for a large-scale show. This is very intimate.

Also Original Sound has a lot of positives. I thought the performances were wonderful. Sebastian Chacon is very appealing as the up-and-coming songwriter/composer who gets ripped off by a hot star. Anthony Arkin nails his role as the world-weary manager of the hot star. The competent direction moved the story along at a good clip.

But for some reason, I felt vaguely unsatisfied at the end. In addition to being an insider look at the recording industry, Original Sound is also the story of a dysfunctional family. But we never really get to see what makes them tick, or not tick. We know the father (also a musician) abandoned the family, but we don't know why. Both siblings are dodging their mother; again, we don't know why. As a result, I felt I didn't know what was motivating the characters.

My other beef is that there really isn't much music in the show. Considering the topic, I would have liked to have heard more.

Still, this is a not a bad use of your time.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy seeing characters self-destruct.

Don't see it if You don't have patience for crazy people doing crazy things.

Also After seeing True West earlier this year and now this, I've concluded that I'm not much of a Sam Shepard fan. I just don't enjoy seeing crazy people self-destruct. Dark absurdism isn't for me. At least, not this play.

I would hate to have to be the Signature employee whose job it is to clean up this set.

On a positive note, the lamb was cute.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy contemporary drama with a touch of humor.

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

Also How low would a man go, what dastardly deeds would he accomplish, in the pursuit of success? And I'm not even talking about Rupert Murdoch here but one of his hirelings, a man named Larry Lamb, who was recruited by Murdoch to head up his new acquisition, London's Sun tabloid. We watch Lamb's genius take a turn toward evil as he gets subsumed by his goal, and his eventual fall would have given Shakespeare inspiration. Jonny Lee Miller goes all in as he portrays someone who loses all moral restraints.

I went in thinking that Ink is Murdoch's story, but I was soon convinced otherwise.

Ink features wonderful performances across the board and a fabulous set, a pile of old steel desks that reach up to the ceiling that the actors somehow navigate. Don't miss this exciting and thought-provoking show.... Read more Read less

See it if You are looking for an intelligent show with a great score and solid performances.

Don't see it if You want a straight-out comedy; you're not in the mood to think.

Also I had seen the production at New York Theater Workshop and loved it. I also think that the Off Broadway cast album, recorded live, is wonderful. So I had no intention of seeing the Broadway production, but a friend convinced me that it's very different.

I'm so glad she did, because I love this version. Director Rachel Chavkin did an astounding job transforming Hadestown to fit a larger stage. The elevator is used very well to transport people to Hades, especially in one of the final scenes, but I found the turntable a bit overused. Round and round and round everybody went.

Still, the scenes in Hades are mesmerizing. It's a case in which the direction, set, lighting, costumes, music and performances all come together to create a strikingly theatrical whole.

Page and Gray are wonderful, and I liked Reeve Carney a lot too. I personally didn't care for Eva Noblezada's vocal style, but maybe it's a matter of taste.

Want to hear the best score of the season? Come to Hadestown.... Read more Read less

See it if You love the movie and want to see a different take on it. You want to laugh.

Don't see it if You don't mind unmemorable music.

Also Beetlejuice does have some very strong elements. The staging, for instance, is as inventive as you'd expect. Costuming and the scenic design are both wonderful. The script is funny. Most of the performers are seasoned pros, and relative newcomer Sophia Ann Caruso is a marvel as Lydia.

But all of that doesn't make up for the fact that the music is subpar. Nothing about it stands out or is memorable in any way. It's such a shame that so much time and effort were spent creating this show, when one of the crucial elements is just not strong enough.

And please, if anyone from the production team is reading this, get rid of the horrible lights that shine in the audience's eyes when waiting for the show to start. That's just torture!... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy fantasy and are willing to go along for the ride.

Don't see it if You don't like Alice in Wonderland and adaptions of it.

Also After reading the reviews, I did not expect to enjoy this, but I was really enchanted. It's impossible not to be drawn in by the young, energetic cast. And the staging and choreography are amazingly inventive. I think Alice by Heart really captures the tone and mood of the original book.

Is this Duncan Sheik's best work? I would have to say no, it is not on a level with the genius of Spring Awakening. The Alice songs are professional and very well performed, but they don't engage the mind and heart like the music in Spring Awakening. Still, this is worth seeing!... Read more Read less

See it if You're struggling to understand why William Shakespeare is a household name and John Webster isn't.

Don't see it if You think power tools belong on HGTV.

Also I'm the person who's often confused by complicated plots. Given that, I should have read the "Spoiler Synopsis" that was tucked inside the program. I tried really hard to keep track of who was who, but I missed at least 50% of the plot.

But man, the performances White Devil were great. In particular, John Cuccioli is giving a master class in acting. I couldn't take my eyes off him as the crooked cardinal. And he looks great in clerical robes. Lisa Birnbaum was excellent and restrained in a role that could have easily veered into caricature, and Tommy Shrider was great as a scheming enabler.

There was an injury at our performance. Cherie Corinne Rice, who was excellent in dual roles, took a misstep off the extended stage and landed in a heap. After a hold of about 15 minutes, the play resumed, and she was back on stage for the riotous and bloody ending. I hope she's okay! Also, if she had been temporarily blinded by the footlights, I hope that can be remedied fast.... Read more Read less

See it if You like modern history.

Don't see it if You prefer short shows.

Also There's an adage when it comes to writing: "Don't tell us something, SHOW us." The Lehman Trilogy does an awful lot of telling; it's mostly narration. On an bare-bones set, three actors explain how the Lehman Brothers founded their famous financial company. And the brief times when they do act something out, it's kind of odd for a guy with gray hair and a beard to be playing, for instance, a little boy or a coquettish young woman, inducing fond chuckles.

But the three of them manage to pull it off. Some rules are made to be broken.

Count on the Armory to supply an astounding physical production. The playing area itself is a modernist glass box that spins around on a turntable. Behind that is a huge curved wall that hosts the most awesome projections I have ever seen. At times everything is spinning or going up up up in an office building. Have some Dramamine handy.

Three great actors, a compelling story, visually astounding. Just make sure you've eaten beforehand!... 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.

See it if You want to laugh.

Don't see it if You don’t like Vegas.

Also This very enjoyable four-person musical comedy was written by Rita Rudner and she plays the lead, an overly fussy, germ-phobic woman in her mid-sixties. Off-putting at first, her character grows on you. She’s thrown into a somewhat implausible situation with a stranger, and the plot takes off from there.

The songs are catchy, and a troubadour type (who, it turns out, is the composer) comments on the action from the side of the stage and also joins in toward the end. Rudner is not the strongest singer, but she puts the songs over. I really enjoyed seeing a show featuring a woman who’s older than what we’re used to seeing on stage and hearing her story. Next I’m seeing Broadway Bounty Hunter!... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a very talented cast in a tuneful musical comedy.

Don't see it if You don’t like actors doing accents.

Also My friend and I caught the first preview tonight and really enjoyed this funny show about immigrants in New York City and their various struggles making a living. The hard-working cast of roughly 12 is super talented and accomplished. The singing and dancing are excellent. The acting tends to be over the top in some cases, mainly in the smaller roles such as the Russian father and the villainous smuggler. The music and lyrics are professional without being super memorable.

I suggest shortening the show to 90 minutes without an intermission. While the show is solid, the material is not so exceptional that a long running time is warranted. Things could be tightened up here and there. Less is more in this case.

But considering this was the first preview, I give the cast and crew credit for pulling off a show that’s quite ambitious.... Read more Read less

See it if You like plays based on real events. You like comedies that have something to say about power and its misuse.

Don't see it if You don’t like intimate venues.

Also I enjoyed this play because it gives an inside look at the downside of this “glamorous” job. When the director starts to make demands that put people in danger, the focus turns to power in the workplace and how it’s used. Jonathan Sale is excellent as Luke Wilson, but honestly all the actors are excellent. Competently directed by Theresa Rebeck.... Read more Read less

See it if You’re open minded about your Chekov and enjoy fresh interpretations.

Don't see it if You’re a purist.

Also Wonderful comedic performances from a cast of pros, some gender-bending casting, and crisp direction make this a must-see. Consistently funny!... Read more Read less

See it if You don't mind being made uncomfortable in the theater. This is not an easy ride.

Don't see it if You dislike audience participation based on your race.

See it if You have an open mind about theater and don’t mind being shocked. You have a strong stomach.

Don't see it if You don’t like gross-out humor.

Also I am very glad I saw this unique vision from the mind of Taylor Mac, and I am in awe that this singular work made it to Broadway.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to witness a tour de force by one of our generation’s finest actors.

Don't see it if You dislike director Ivo von Hove. I’m not always a fan but I liked his take here.

Also Paddy Chayefsky wrote a prescient tale about the media business and how it warps the news for its own uses. Sadly, this is still relevant today.

The screen-heavy, glitzy production suits the material perfectly. After a while you accept that what you’re seeing on screen is real, and maybe that’s dangerous.... Read more Read less

See it if You're a fan of the book and want to see how it plays as a musical; if you're a fan of LaChanze. She does great work here.

Don't see it if You're not up for an edgy musical showing unpleasant things; if you don't like depictions of violence onstage.

Also Many things make a play or musical satisfying, but one thing is the journey of the characters and how they change. In the case of The Secret Life of Bees, I felt that was lacking. The character of August seems too perfect to be believable, and her sister June is too awful. The fact that June has a suitor that she keeps cruelly rejecting is laughable. Why would any man subject himself to that?

I was disappointed in the score. I didn't think it was that original.

The staging is simple and allows the actors to shine. They all turn in amazing performances and sing their hearts out.

That brings me to the sound design. It was way way way over the top. It was like a wall of sound hitting you. In a small theater, that's not good. Overamplifying the band means that the voices are drowned out. When the singers compensate, they become hard to understand. I hope this can be fixed as previews go on. I've seen many shows at the Atlantic and have never experienced sound this muddy.... Read more Read less

See it if You're a fan of Kate Hamill's adaptations. This one is not my favorite of hers but it's well done.

Don't see it if You're looking for a laugh-out-loud comedy; you dislike costume dramas.

Also I did enjoy Hamill's Little Women. It can't beat her delightful Sense and Sensibility for grace and charm and humor, but it's well worth seeing. The direction kept everything moving, except that parts of Act 2 seemed a bit draggy. All the performances are wonderful, but Kristolyn Lloyd in particular is giving a star turn as Jo.... Read more Read less

See it if You're open to a show that really has no precedent in form or execution. You enjoy a cappella singing.

Don't see it if You prefer not to "work" at understanding what you're seeing.

Also This is the type of piece you have to think about for a while. I enjoyed the music and singing immensely. Honestly, it doesn't sound like anything I have ever heard before.

I can't say I understood what was happening much of the time, especially toward the end. The show brings in metaphysics, spirituality, tarot, the search for God, etc.

See Octet if you value originality and don't mind being challenged.... Read more Read less

See it if You're interested in Irish history and all the tragedy that encompasses.

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

Also True to its name, the Irish Rep is doing three Sean O'Casey plays in repertory: Shadow of a Gunman, Juno and the Paycock, and this one, The Plough and the Stars. The three, sometimes called the Dublin Trilogy, examine the Irish Revolutionary Period of the 1920s.

It's a great way for theatergoers to see all three performed wonderfully in a small space. Plus, the great Maryann Plunkett is in the last two!

You can even see all three in a single day! But unless you enjoy being overwhelmed by war, death, and depression, I would recommend against that. All three of these are harrowing and very intense. Space out your viewing a bit.

My friend and I both had trouble understanding the accents of some of the actresses in Plough and the Stars. I saw the show in early previews, so perhaps this is still being worked on.

This series is a must-see for students of Irish history. And don't miss the exhibit on the second floor of Sean O'Casey's life and times.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy Irish drama or want to become more acquainted.

Don't see it if You wish to see something funny.

Also I take every opportunity to see Maryann Plunkett in something! Here, she does not disappoint. Al the performances are solid, though.

We are so lucky here in NYC to have a theater company like the Irish Rep to put on these three Sean O'Casey plays in repertory!... Read more Read less

See it if You like a play that makes you think. If you don't need a comedy.

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

Also This is a solid play that stands the test of time with wonderful performances that move you. It's not a laugh riot, but you knew that already.

I saw All My Sons in an early preview. To me, Benjamin Walker is already turning in a star performance. I think he found his character. Annette Bening and Tracy Letts are very good in complex roles, and certainly professional, but it seems to me they are still developing. I saw Letts in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf a couple of years back, and he was just amazing. In this play, not so much. Yet. Francesa Carpanini held her own very well.

This classic play is given a fine production by Roundabout and is worth seeing!... Read more Read less

See it if You don't mind absurdism and plays that make you uncomfortable.

Don't see it if You like an ending that makes sense.

Also "There's truth in jest," the adage says, and that's certainly the case in Do You Feel Anger. The text is hilarious, but as I was laughing I became aware that a lot is going on beneath the surface.

And the more you realize that, the more uncomfortable you get when faced with egregious bad-boy behavior, violence toward women (whether real or imagined), and rampant misogyny.

And there are no easy answers, as you see the empathy coach struggle to break through and in desperation eventually go over to "the other side."

The performances are all wonderful. Greg Keller is sensational as the toxic and clueless boss. He has a one-way phone conversation in which his assistant explains to him what a woman's period is (he had never heard of it). His reactions are priceless. And there's a startling scenic change toward the end that blew my hair back!

As I think about this play more and more, things are dawning on me. But I still don't understand the ending!... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy a cappella singing accompanied by some narration. You like prison work songs.

Don't see it if You are looking for a fleshed-out play.

Also I knew before I went to the show that it was going to be three guys singing along to a record of prison work songs recorded years ago.

I did not expect a play to be acted out.

I think that people who anticipated that were a bit disappointed.

I really liked the show. It's subtle. There is some narration, but it's brief. The singing is lovely. Some slides are projected on a small screen, but I didn't see the point of most of those. The video at the end was on point though.... Read more Read less

See it if You value great singing.

Don't see it if You dislike when actors play multiple roles; you want a modern play. You want a printed program.

Also You know going into something like this that it's going to creak a bit. I had the same problem with The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, also produced at CSC.

But if you want to see a historic show with some very good performances, this is your deal.

As far as costuming: All the characters are dressed in denim work clothes. As each actor (except for David Garrison) plays multiple roles, I think it would help the audience if even a bit of costuming could be added or subtracted, kind of how Come From Away handled it.

Of all the wonderful performers, several to me are particularly noteworthy. I loved how Sally Ann Triplett engaged the audience. Ken Barnett has such a wonderful voice and great stage presence, I was surprised this is my first time seeing him. I was also glad that Eddie Cooper was cast because I loved his voice in This Ain't No Disco and I was glad to see that he, as well as myself, survived that show.

Recommended for fans of Marc Blitzstein and John Doyle.... Read more Read less

See it if You're an adventurous theatergoer who likes to take risks and likes plays that take risks.

Don't see it if You prefer dramas that make sense. You hate blood.

Also This play received many positive reviews from critics and regular theatergoers, and that mystifies me as much as Marys Seacole did. After a while I gave up trying to understand what was happening and waited for it to be over. I really didn't see the point of it all. Plus she seemed to be a pretty bad nurse/doctoress. Not for me!... Read more Read less