Mel A

See it if you want an intense show that will make you think.

Don't see it if you're sensitive to discussions of sexual violence or suicide

Also The start is a bit rocky, but when you get down to the two main characters things start moving, and it really hits its stride around the halfway point.

There's a redemptive arc that I'm not 100% sure I'm on board with, but it's balanced by showing another character is less virtuous than first assumed; that balance makes me more forgiving, but I'm still not sure how the whole thing sits with me.... Read more Read less

See it if you're interested in less than healthy mother-daughter relationships or sad solo tales

Don't see it if you're looking for something well paced or positive

Also I think the show was trying to show the positive end to a story with a lot of sadness, but it just brought me down. I found myself regularly looking at my watch during the show, which is never a good sign.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see really interesting performances in a sparse staging

Don't see it if you're looking for a conventionally structured play, or expect a lot of dialogue

See it if you've liked other Kate Hamill reimaginings of classics, or are interested in the idea of overtly feminist reworkings.

Don't see it if you want an exact replica of the original

Also I know this is a nit-picky point, but if I'm going to go see the ultimate bisexual villain and he's going to kinda flirt with Jonathan Harker, you need to commit to it! The show kept teasing the queerness, then backing off at the last minute.... Read more Read less

See it if you're willing to go for a ride that you'll probably start out disliking, but comes around nicely.

Don't see it if you're sensitive to discussions of suicide

Also I spent so much of this show not liking it, but by the end it had really won me over. Props.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see Adrienne Warren in a powerhouse performance, or really love Tina Turner.

Don't see it if you expect anything particularly new or interesting.

Also I'm so over the bio-musical. I keep waiting for someone to do it well, but they're all just tired versions of the same damn thing.

Adrienne Warren is amazing, but even that can't really redeem the show.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to be challenged in so many productive ways, while laughing through most of it

Don't see it if you're sensitive about portrayals of sexual situations

Also There should probably be a content warning for a particular scene (I don't want to give it away because in context it's really important); just know if portrayals of assault are hard for you, this might not be your show.

This show is so smart and so well though out and does such a good job of pulling the audience back in right when you can feel them starting to distance themselves. It's brilliant. I want to see it again.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see what feels like the weirdest trip, but in a mostly cute way

Don't see it if you're looking for any plot or don't like audiences with lots of kids

See it if you can find a cheap ticket - I got a great seat at a very low price!

Don't see it if you're looking for something fully rounded.

Also The pacing was odd - I think it tried to cover too much. But I learned a lot about LBJ.... Read more Read less

See it if you like waiting for something to happen

Don't see it if you have any kind of expectations for this show. It won't meet them.

Also I was so disappointed in this show; I was just bored the whole time. Nothing happens, and it didn't even really seem like much acting took place. I want my time back.... Read more Read less

See it if you like quirky interpretations of classic shows

Don't see it if you dislike when people turn plays (or movies) into musicals

Also It felt ~75% polished when I saw it, but I found out later that I saw it during the week when everything possible was going wrong, so props to everyone involved for holding it as together as they did. The writing is mostly clever, there are just a few bits that still feel a little clumsy. Overall a very fun show though.... Read more Read less

See it if you have a pre-teen who's into it, or just like musicals even if they're not terribly complex.

Don't see it if you're looking for something deep or subtle - this is neither.

Also I can't think of a better way to describe the show than to say it's very 12-year-old. The lyrics generally remind me of something you write when you're that age and want to be in a band and are mad at your parents. Once you get used to that vibe though, it's an endearing enough show, and the actors can really sing.

It has some fun low-budget vibes which I rather appreciated as well.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a cool, loosely holiday themed collection of combination burlesque and circus-arts performances

Don't see it if you're looking for a reserved night out.

See it if you want an excellent production of a classic.

Don't see it if you're looking for light subject matter.

Also I expected the supertitles to be much more distracting than they were.

See it if you want a hell of a high-energy show and an audience that's super excited.

Don't see it if you want people to be calm or reserved - the audience sang along on a number of songs when I saw the show.

Also Ephraim Sykes is a national treasure, and I will fight anyone who says otherwise.

My only complaint is that the second act just can't quite live up to the first. It's not the second acts fault - being bound by history, the most exciting parts all happened early and there's not much to do about that. It's still fantastic, just a bit of a come-down after the end of the first act.... Read more Read less

See it if you like intentionally over the top plots with a lot of heart.

Don't see it if you're looking for a serious show.

Also It helps to know going in that it's inspired by blaxploitation films - I didn't and was a little thrown by some of the writing until I read the program at intermission and figured it out!

It was a fun show to see - feels like I got to see what can be a really great show in its last stages of development and polishing.... Read more Read less

See it if you're open to a stripped down, intense reworking of a classic - more revivals should be this bold!

Don't see it if you want a fluffy, light, old school version of Oklahoma.

Also I really loved this production (though it's been about 20 years since I've seen any other production). It leans into the uncomfortable parts of the story unflinchingly while allowing all the characters an obvious humanity.

A number of the staging & lighting tactics (I'm not going to describe them to avoid giving it away) were absolutely brilliant - I thought they added so much intensity to the show!... Read more Read less

See it if you want to hear a whole lot of theories about consciousness rapid-fire, but in a fun way.

Don't see it if you don't like rap or want a slower, more deliberate discussion of these theories.

Also I'd say this is the best of the rap guide series, no contest. Still prone to letting outside politics into the flow, which can be a bit jarring, but otherwise well structured.... Read more Read less

See it if you're looking for something with a lot of conflict, both between and within characters

Don't see it if you're looking for something polished - the premise is good, but the writing resorts to cliches at pivotal moments.

See it if you want to see a fantastically constructed drama about family ties.

Don't see it if you're looking for something lighthearted - while this has light moments, it's a heavy work.

See it if you're looking for an emotionally devastating musical that doesn't force a happy ending to make the audience comfortable.

Don't see it if you're uncomfortable with a frank treatment of how some queer youth are treated, or are uncomfortable with the use of slurs.

Also This is a show you need to sit with for a while after watching. And I mean that in the most positive way possible.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a campy take on the trials of being a high school girl with excellent vocal performances. Think updated Heathers.

Don't see it if you're not a fan of camp, or are expecting a flashy production.

See it if you didn't see it off Broadway or in Jersey, I guess?

Don't see it if you saw an earlier version of the show. They RUINED it in the transfer up. It went from being earnest and lovely to a hollow caricature.

Also I'm unspeakably disappointed in the transfer up to Broadway after seeing this show off-Broadway in fall 2018. It was one of two shows I have ever loved enough to buy merch, and now I'm embarrassed to wear it. Fans of the earlier versions will feel betrayed by this rendition - at least I certainly do. Jeremy is now just annoyingly whiny rather than believably isolated; Christine is a mockery of a weird theater kid instead of a lovingly effusive portrayal; Brooke and Chole are even more oversexed for no good reason; there's a passing but utterly failed attempt to add emotional depth to Jake; the SQUIP has an annoying fake-sounding vocal pattern for no good reason.

The one good thing I have to say is that the understudies are spot on - I saw Troy Iwata filling in for George Salazar and he was excellent.

I saw it in early previews, so I'm hoping against hope that they rein it in and return to the earnestness of the original by the time they open.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see 3 very nimble actors in a 360 degree production about the moral conversation around the vietnam war

Don't see it if you're looking for a flashy production - this is pretty stripped down, which adds a lot to the show.

See it if you want to have a good laugh while learning more about the impacts of chronic illness on families.

Don't see it if you're opposed to discussions of sex - it's a pretty relevant theme.

See it if you're already pretty far left and want someone to give you new info to support your views.

Don't see it if you're unimpressed by pandering to a liberal audience.

Also Brinkman claims to want to change minds, but some of his raps mix in other, more political issues and risks alienating the very population he claims to most want to connect to. I'm not a fan of the president, but making a diss track about him isn't going to win you new supporters, even if your other evidence would have. Similarly, mixing in the morality of gay marriage isn't necessary but makes it feel like a liberal slam piece (and this is coming from a flaming lefty).

It's a cool idea, but fails to live up to its own ideals of keeping the focus on the issue at hand, not politicizing it, and inviting everyone in.... Read more Read less

See it if you're already a big fan of Mike Birbiglia.

Don't see it if you have Netflix - there's better standup on there.

See it if you really love Cher, and don't mind hearing other audience members more than the cast.

Don't see it if you want an original take on the singer biomusical. Same devices as Summer, just Cher songs.

Also Seriously, you'll hear some audience members more than the cast on like half the songs. Even after you and the staff ask them to be quiet. Really didn't pay to listen to some lady from Nebraska sing, but that's what I got.

There is one very, very impressive dance number in the second act.... Read more Read less

See it if you're interested in the stagecraft aspect - the gorilla is really cool! I also love the performance of Christiani Pitts.

Don't see it if you're expecting something more complex than the original B-movie material (which I think is unfair to the show, tbh).

Also I really don't understand why people are ragging on this show. No, the plot isn't complex - but neither is any other incarnation of King Kong! That said, the clever technical aspects of the show and the choreography absolutely held my attention, far better than most shows I've seen in the last year. I'd forgotten to eat lunch and I didn't even notice how hungry I was until intermission, and I promptly forgot when act 2 started.

The choreography is complex and ambitious - I definitely was not expecting a large company in this show. I also thought the set was incredibly clever.

Not all the songs are memorable, but the opening of each act (Queen of New York, Wonder) and the lullaby are all things I would listen to again.... Read more Read less

See it if you're looking for a piece of queer children's theater

Don't see it if you want a more mature/adult-oriented production; this is clearly written for children.

See it if you want a funny and touching mixture of character sketches, stand up, music, and video interviews.

Don't see it if you're looking for a conventional play or musical.

See it if you want the best fusion of a musical, a concert, and a drag show that I've ever seen. I'm going again ASAP.

Don't see it if you're looking for a standard staging/show, or can't handle loud music.

See it if you want a fun, intelligent take on what queer spaces mean to their inhabitants.

Don't see it if you're uncomfortable with plays about gay men, or hate Scottish accents.

See it if you're a fan of Michael C. Hall and can appreciate the subtlety of his performance.

Don't see it if you'd struggle to find the art in what feels like 70 minutes of stream of consciousness rambling.

Also I think this is one of those times when a show just isn't for me. Michael C. Hall is objectively good in this, but I found myself needing to focus on the intricacies of his performance rather than other aspects of the play in order to stay engaged. I stayed for a talkback and it was clear other audience members got far more from it than I did - I don't really feel like I got much, other than a greater appreciation for MCH.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a cabaret-style performance that feels particularly relevant in the current cultural moment.

Don't see it if you want a play or something entirely lighthearted.

Also shoutout to whoever did the costume design, and to all the musicians involved!... Read more Read less

See it if you're a human. Seriously, it's that good.

Don't see it if you hate modern musicals? I really can't think of much of a reason not to see it.

Also I tried to find a reason not to like this show - I just couldn't. It takes all the normal high school story tropes and tells them in a way that doesn't get boring or feel cliched, despite being a well-worn concept. Multiple characters are relatable, and all are easy to find empathy for.

Normally I need to walk out singing the songs to love a musical. I didn't quite have that experience here, but it didn't matter. The whole thing is so well constructed.

Just go see it.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to support shows that include ASL in really creative ways and has superb acting all around

Don't see it if TRIGGER WARNING: depictions of suicide and substance abuse, discussion of sexual abuse.

Also The acting was great - I wish that was enough to make me like this play.

It tries to be way too meta: characters talk about writing a play that tracks the book of Job while in a play that relies on the Job narrative. TOO MUCH.

Similarly, the number of awful things that happen to nearly everyone just goes too far, even for a drama. It feels like the playwright is just piling on for..fun? spite? It wears on you in a way that I couldn't even appreciate. I just felt taken advantage of at the end.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a creatively presented telling of a fascinating life story.

Don't see it if you're looking for a traditional play.

See it if you really love Carole King, or want to see a good ensemble performance with some great singing.

Don't see it if you're looking for a high-intensity show.

See it if you want a fun, hilarious queering of Elizabethan versions of greek tragedies. SUCH A GOOD TIME. I can't quite describe how much fun I had.

Don't see it if you're looking for a serious drama, or are opposed to any representation of the queer community.

See it if you can commit to a long, convoluted, often painful story which fails to provide resolution.

Don't see it if you're sensitive to discussions/depictions of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse/manipulation.

See it if you want to see some fantastic acting by the lead in a very intense play.

Don't see it if you're sensitive to discussions of childhood sexual trauma or suicide.

See it if you want to see some great acting and writing.

Don't see it if you're looking for something light and disconnected from the modern world - despite being old the central conflict holds up.

See it if you're up for a modified version of the movie with some excellent singing

Don't see it if you're attached to an exact repeat of the movie, or loud audiences bother you - they wouldn't shut up!

See it if you want to see a solid cast perform a decently written queer piece.

Don't see it if you're looking for a completely polished work - the conclusion is still a bit rough.

See it if you like bad british accents?

Don't see it if you have anything else to do.

See it if you're looking for SNL style obvious parody (but it'll still make you laugh)

Don't see it if you prefer subtle theater

See it if you want a touching look at queer life not so long ago that will make you laugh (gotta love Tennessee Williams).

Don't see it if you're sensitive to portrayals and discussion of homosexuality.