OffOffBlogway

See it if you have an interest in epic gay theater.

Don't see it if if you don't like talky plays.

See it if you like a thought-provoking, conversation-starting play with great performances!

Don't see it if you need "spectacle"

See it if you need a smart, good laugh.

Don't see it if you are looking for a traditional drama.

See it if you like an off-beat comedy that is surprisingly relevant!

Don't see it if you are not a Kurt Konnegut fan or don't like to be made uncomfortable.

See it if you want to see sign language incorporated into a new play or if you are a die-hard Craig Lucas fan.

Don't see it if you expect more than a glorified soap opera with some high-minded biblical references.

See it if you like edgy, important and challenging new work!

Don't see it if you don't want to think or possibly be made uncomfortable.

See it if you want to see an excellent ensemble tackling this contemporary classic.

Don't see it if you don't like slice-of-life plays with tough language.

See it if if you like to laugh!

Don't see it if if you don't like campy humor or drag.

See it if you are interested in a deconstruction of Tennessee Williams' TWO-CHARACTER PLAY, GLASS MENAGERIE and a few others.

Don't see it if you have a short attention span or require a more traditional "play".

See it if you like plays that mix humor with tough topics.

Don't see it if the idea of laughing about the humanity of illness isn't to your liking.

Also Roundabout is notorious for short rehearsal periods. Sometimes the production can overcome, but sadly this team just isn't there yet.... Read more Read less

See it if you are looking to discover something smart and funny downtown.

Don't see it if you know nothing about Gertrude Stein or other 20th century modernists.

See it if you ever wondered what happened to Nora after the door slammed in A Doll's House.

Don't see it if you don't know A Doll's House or prefer your classics straight up.

Also What may seem like an academic gimmick, is really a profound play about relationships, regret and human nature. Laurie Metcalf is wonderful.... Read more Read less

See it if you are a total devotee of Richard Maxwell or you need an 80-minute cat nap.

Don't see it if you require good acting, writing or just general sense of theatricality.

Also The New York Times will love this so remember the emperor has no clothes this time.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in a grand staging of a not-too-often produced O'Neill play with a great lead performance.

Don't see it if you value sound design and any depth of emotion.

Also Bobby Cannavale is giving a operatic lead performance, in a terrific looking production. But the rest of the show left us cold and the sound design was terrible.... Read more Read less

See it if you are a fan of The Wooster Group.

Don't see it if you are looking for something beyond mimesis.

See it if you don't mind a philosophical mind-game of a show that tackles life's big issues.

Don't see it if you are looking for a plot-driven, kitchen sink drama or not a Will Eno fan.

See it if you like experimental, autobiographical semi-musicals.

Don't see it if a navel-gazing, incoherent over-long show isn't your "thing"

See it if if you are open to a modern interpretation of Chekhov.

Don't see it if if you like your Chekhov straight-up and traditional.

See it if you like Deirdre O'Connell.

Don't see it if you want something original.

See it if you are a fan of David Byrne/Talking Heads with delightful staging/choreography!

Don't see it if you want a traditional Broadway musical, this is a concert.

See it if you want to see an excellent production of this modern classic.

Don't see it if you don't like drama or a lot of diaologu

Also Annette Bening and Tracy Letts are fantastic. Second preview and it's in great shape and will only get better.... Read more Read less

See it if you like an off-beat take on family drama.

Don't see it if doubling actors confuses you.

Also Amazing cast of 3 playing 6 characters!

See it if you'd like to see what a contemporaty version of Jarry or Ionesco may look like, if done terribly.

Don't see it if you are looking for anything subtle, well written or well directed.

Also Thunderbodies starts at an eleven and has nowhere to go but over the top. It's not as clever as I thinks it is.... Read more Read less

See it if it's a hot day and you need the air conditioning.

Don't see it if you are looking to learn about the early 20th-century fire at Coney Island or what (if anything) it has to do with Sandy.

Also Unfortunately, this play by Rinne Groff never gets to the point. The characters and situation are never believable, and though the actors give it their best, it's just hopeless. It's a shame because Groff showed real promise once upon a time.... Read more Read less

See it if you are a die-hard ERS fan.

Don't see it if you do not know the source material!

See it if you want to see this not-often-staged work by Williams.

Don't see it if if you are looking for something edgy or want something fast-paced.

Also I've liked Transport Group's stripped-down versions of 20th Century plays previously; this one just didn't click for me.... Read more Read less

See it if you are OK with excellent performances in a bleak play.

Don't see it if you are in the mood for some light entertainment

See it if you are a die hard Kathleen Chalfant fan or have a Peter Pan fetish.

Don't see it if you are looking for a fully developed play because this feels like a bunch of actors saying lines that could have been improvised.

Also This felt like an Annie Baker-wanna-be play, without the wit, intelligence and nuanced directing of Sam Gold.... Read more Read less

See it if you like film noir parody and are looking for a good time and some laughs.

Don't see it if you are looking for something serious.

See it if you are a Beckett fan, a Diane Wiest fan or enjoy well-done production of a 20th century classic.

Don't see it if you have a short attention span or are not in the mood for a introspective evening.

See it if you've never seen this play done live or if you are a fan of Alison Janney.

Don't see it if if you saw the masterful original production, this one will leave you wistful for Stockard Channing.

Also Trip Cullman just doesn't have a grasp on this play and can't pull off the timing. The physical production is odd and the only reason this production works is due to John Guare's classic text, slightly dated yet still solid.... Read more Read less

See it if you like challenging, intelligent theater with great ensemble work.

Don't see it if if you are not a fan of Annie Baker's plays and don't like sitting forward and listening for two-hours.

See it if if you are looking for a challenging evening of smart, intense theater.

Don't see it if you are looking for a light evening of entertainment.

See it if you like smart, thought-provoking theater about big ideas.

Don't see it if a contemporary update of Everyman isn't your thing.

See it if you enjoy an unusual, strange, slow-burn of a show

Don't see it if you are looking for a quick, kitchen-sink naturalistic show

Also The audience absolutely hated the show the night I was there, but I found it completely absorbing with a fantastic cast.... Read more Read less

See it if you like a smart play with a great ensemble.

Don't see it if you are easily offended about organized religion.

See it if you want to see an out-of-the-box version of Miller's play and you like Philip Glass music.

Don't see it if you are expecting another View From The Bridge-type successful production.

See it if you like challenging performance.

Don't see it if you like your Chekhov straight-up.