Mikhael

See it if you love clever and simple staging, great performances, and unusual scores.

Don't see it if you want big production numbers or a score you will hum out of the theater. You need a feel good story, though you will leave energized.

See it if you are a Little Shop fan and want to see it in the perfect size venue, you enjoy a small and talented cast giving it their all.

Don't see it if you do not like talking plants and occasional gore.

See it if you like David Byrne (but not necessary-I only knew one song), you are fascinated by live percussion, you like simple but effective staging.

Don't see it if you want a plot, sets, or costumes. This is essentially a concert.

See it if you like clever staging and great performances, or you are already a fan of Jeanine Tesori.

Don't see it if you expect song and dance broadway with a typical score.

See it if you enjoy high energy dance numbers and want to play "name that familiar recent hit."

Don't see it if you want to be moved or hear an original score.

Also The show is true to what you'd expect. It's a spectacle with some beautiful designs.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy fine performances, strong singing, and one great tap number.

Don't see it if you want a fast-paced, easily accessible show.

Also The first act does not take off quickly enough. The staging is good, but the show gets lost in the large venue. The choreography seemed unnecessary when not part of the plot. I saw the first preview, so hopefully it has since tightened up a bit and gets straight to the point.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy a beautiful burlesque experience with great circus acts.

Don't see it if You are uncomfortable with scantily clad men and women.

See it if you want to see an excellent off-off Broadway cast in a good show with social issues that still ring true.

Don't see it if you need a traditional theater setting or have a hard time hearing, you do not like sung through musicals that are not about catchy tunes.

See it if You already like the show and want to see an energetic cast give it their all.

Don't see it if You are bothered by being extremely up close to the actors, you are in the mood for a relevant show.

See it if You want to be challenges with the idea what makes a life important, you want to see some great performances up close.

Don't see it if You are uncomfortable with Nazi or religious themes, or very intimate in the round settings.

See it if you enjoy Encores and are willing to just be entertained, you like Carmen Cusack even if it takes a while for her to come into her own.

Don't see it if you expect anything that feels relevant, you are put off by old-fashion stereotypes, you can't get into great classic tunes just for fun.

See it if you get drawn in by emotional highs and lows, you are a fan of the actors and want to see them live.

Don't see it if you do not like one-man shows, you have a hard time following multiple stories that jump around, you want action - this is extremely static.

See it if you are in it for the performances.

Don't see it if you are expecting a resonant piece of theater.

See it if you want to see a decent work in progress with a few fine performances.

Don't see it if you do not know the Alice basics as the characters could be confusing, you expect a tight show, you are annoyed by gratuitous choreography.

See it if you like expertly acted period pieces even if themes are extremely outdated, but relevant to how much one will stick to one's convictions.

Don't see it if you only like contemporary settings and are unable to connect to old-fashioned ideas.

See it if You enjoy a high energy cast and get 90s music references.

Don't see it if You are a fan of the movie and expect the same level of chemistry and nuance - it feels rather flat and forced on stage.

See it if you want to see the classic theatrical musical that still works after three decades.

Don't see it if you want a modern story or themes, you do not like operatic or electronic music, you prefer pare-down musicals.

See it if you'd enjoy a great concept even if it needs more of development, you'd like some good songs even if they are not all fitting in this show.

Don't see it if you do not like hybrid musicals, you do not like the melodramatic, you do not like good performances in an uneven (but promising) show.

See it if you would enjoy an adult take loosely based on the classic Nutcracker, with a versatile cast performing great acts, songs, and choreography.

Don't see it if you are uncomfortable with near nudity and off-color humor - as promised, you bore after a stellar first act then 2 acts that are very good.

See it if You are in the mood for a live singing, dancing after school special, complete with schoolyard archetypes - the young cast is competent.

Don't see it if You are annoyed by child actors, you need a completely realized production with a satisfying and developed resolution.

See it if you are fine with a lot of issues crammed into one show, staged and performed very well; you are intrigued by a family in crisis.

Don't see it if you find it slow when too many side stories detract from an otherwise strong work and take away from the impact of the title character.

See it if you want to see a modern take on a classic in a perfect setting for the concept.

Don't see it if you will be lost with problematic character development that is more obvious with the update, you get bored at some long static scenes.

See it if you like a little over the top, a little inappropriate, a little fluffy for the subject matter - that all makes for a fun show. Great leads!

Don't see it if you're conservative & put off by gay or religious jokes, or conversely expect more depth to these; you are not amused by showbiz archetypes.

See it if you are up for the familiar with enough modern flair to feel current, with a superb cast, high energy and quick pace.

Don't see it if you do not like revues without a story, or for some reason absolutely detest Leiber and Stoller.

See it if you can be drawn in by a well-cast small ensemble in an amusing and surprisingly moving New York story - all about connection.

Don't see it if you do not like intimate minimalist staging or sung-through musicals, you prefer action and complicated storylines.

See it if you enjoy a play that makes you laugh at times but builds in intensity, you have some understanding of Ireland's troubles but not necessary.

Don't see it if you can't sit through over 3 hours even if it goes quickly, you have a hard time with accents even if they are easy enough to understand.

See it if you enjoy male burlesque with two amazing novelty acts, performed in a theater with great ambiance. You appreciate a balletic aesthetic.

Don't see it if you are uncomfortable with the male body or drag, you do not like dance performances, you predominantly want female burlesque.

See it if you enjoy intimate settings with a small competent cast.

Don't see it if you are annoyed by awkward staging where the actors' voices can get lost; you want a truly original story, rousing score, or polish.

See it if you want to see Tony worthy performances in a gorgeous production, you enjoy traditional musicals with a traditional grand feel.

Don't see it if you prefer modern themes or intimate staging.

See it if you want to see clowning for the 21st century, you like to be totally engaged in a funny and relevant show - I was grinning the whole time.

Don't see it if you can't put down your phone for an hour to see why you should put down your phone for an hour.

See it if you want to see some great effort put into a show that has some promise but just never seems to go anywhere - I did "want" to buy into it.

Don't see it if you are annoyed by southern accents or simulated sex/drugs/violence, you need a satisfying resolution or to care about the characters.

See it if You want to see a masterful performance in a simple yet powerful play.

Don't see it if You are disturbed by portrayal of war, you absolutely despise one man shows - though this one is worth the effort.

See it if superb acting and some genuinely funny moments matter more to you than a well-developed story and satisfying conclusion.

Don't see it if you are annoyed when a show starts strong then fizzles for an abrupt and uninteresting ending.

See it if you go in expecting uncomfortable humor that is meant to convey a strong positive message.

Don't see it if you have a hard time with Manchester accents or references, you expect a hilarious comedy sketch, teenage sexuality and angst upsets you.

See it if you enjoy the music of the Go-Gos with a very good cast, you want a good mix of humor and message that is a bit fluffy but what is expected.

Don't see it if you are expecting serious theater, are uncomfortable with untraditional themes, can't just sit back and enjoy the fun.

See it if you love when great music, great direction, and great choreography come together in a timely show with meaning and heart.

Don't see it if you need elaborate sets or storyline to move you - this gives the complexity in its simplicity in a truly moving one act.

See it if you want to see strong female characters finding their place in an increasingly oppressive world, you enjoy sharp wit in historical settings

Don't see it if you want a completely polished seamless story - some of the subplots drew attention away from the powerful story.

See it if you like art that explores a sadistic view of art.

Don't see it if you feel uncomfortable with manipulative characters and dark undertones, you do not want to take the time to get into the storyline.

See it if you want an understated show with funny and sometimes touching snippets of what people hold onto and often can't let go of.

Don't see it if you want great music that outshines the acting, you want a cohesive storyline, you do not have at least some insight to the show's origins.

See it if You want to be pulled in by exceptional performances, you are a fan of Jason Robert Brown - these songs do not disappoint

Don't see it if You are expecting a traditional linear plot or dislike concert productions, and yes you will be surrounded by the musical theater obsessed

See it if you enjoy magic from a likable magician - he is not over the top cheesy.

Don't see it if you are not impressed by a lot of illusions with pictures or dread audience participation.

See it if you are a fan of Stoppard and are willing to pay attention to the barrage of dialogue, you want to see top-notch staging and performances.

Don't see it if you do not have the historical or literary knowledge to follow the references, you need a very basic and easy to follow plot.

See it if You are in the mood for a superbly acted and directed period British piece exploring relevant class issues.

Don't see it if You are not a fan of appropriately intimate settings or British context, you are seeking a deeply romantic story.

See it if you want to see a balanced ensemble cast despite the star power, you can appreciate very good staging, you enjoy jokes that sting.

Don't see it if you are unable to relate to dated gay stereotypes or find humor in people behaving poorly, you do not relate to dysfunctional friendships.

See it if You want to be genuinely entertained - I did not expect to love this show! You do not need to know Jimmy Buffet songs to enjoy it.

Don't see it if You prefer dramatic musicals, you can't take the experience at face value and just immerse yourself in the fun of it all.

See it if you want to see what the powerhouse creative team came up with, even if it falls short of expectations. Just okay for such big hitters.

Don't see it if you want to see a play with dance or see a dance with dialogue - it falls short on both so doesn't fully satisfy either.

See it if you want to find a reason to Christian Borle more, you like catchy tunes with entertaining dancing, you appreciate the best of Encores.

Don't see it if you do not like concert versions of light shows.

See it if you enjoy well-acted one man shows in an intimate environment, with excellent use of projections.

Don't see it if you do not like minimalist shows or are uncomfortable with transvestite/Nazi/Communist themes.

See it if you enjoy SpongeBob and want to hear a surprisingly great score, you like imaginative theater.

Don't see it if you are bothered by a disruptive audience or can't use your imagination to transport yourself into an underwater world.