Rach

See it if you are ready for a contemporary social issue roller coaster propelled by the music of alanis with talented actors/dancers/choreo/singers

Don't see it if less is more for you. This show touches n so many topics (very well) but I can see how it is a turn off for people

Also my best girlfriends and I rushed this, and we absolutely loved it

See it if you can view through the lense of nonsensical wonder and awe. also, i think i recommend this on drugs?

Don't see it if you want some kind of clear story line, it is a bunch of interesting clowning that doesn't always make any sense

Also I mean, I had fun, but this could definitely be a big hit or miss for some people... Read more Read less

See it if you wanna be hoodwinked

Don't see it if you are offended by being tricked for 2.5 hrs

Also no, it's a secret

See it if you're cool

Don't see it if you're lame

See it if you are interested in great actors telling the story of a forgotten pioneer

Don't see it if you're uptight. I feel like uptight people can't handle a racially charged piece of female history

Also The play is from Toni's perspective, which is all over the place and a little convoluted, but April does an incredible job with the character... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in a sort of coming of age story. It is two Scottish boys panicking about a dreaded after school fight

Don't see it if you're not into audience participation, adults playing 13 year olds, or black box style shows

See it if you want to be overstimulated for two hours

Don't see it if you value your ear drums

Also it was so much, so loud, and so loud, that I could barely care about the story at all... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy a well written family drama. Revivals can be tough, but this didn't feel outdated

Don't see it if you can't stand plays/families/morality/emotion

See it if you want to be entertained, see some great Sondheim performed

Don't see it if you are a purist for the original, although I really don't understand why anyone is.

Also This version is minimal, but in an entertaining and fun way. It feels rushed at times, and the pacing has some stops and starts, but overall it is a fun night of theatre.... Read more Read less

See it if You have a little background on the troubles, you can be absorbed into a politically charged family drama

Don't see it if you can't pay attention to something for an extended amount of time. Psych yourself up for a long one, it's worth it

Also Seen with the original cast, I was mesmerized for all three acts, never looked down at my watch, never felt a point where was too slow to keep me fully engaged... Read more Read less

See it if The actors do a superb job immersing themselves and the audience in the characters and story.

Don't see it if You aren't a play person, or a family drama person, or an only two dudes on stage person

See it if you enjoy stand-up comedy and storytelling. Mike Birbiglia is fabulous at taking you high, low, loud, quiet, funny, serious, over 90 mins

Don't see it if you can't handle 1 man show or dislike standup.

See it if you are interested in a contemporary look at sexuality for females growing up in the 90s/00s. A transparent view into 1 characters timeline

Don't see it if you get uncomfortable easily. The subject matter is conveyed so well that it really does make you uneasy (not necessarily in a bad way)

Also To be honest everyone should go, and everyone should feel uncomfortable. I was excited to see this topic hit head on in the Blackbox Theatre.
Although, I do find it hard to watch adults play children, and they played 9 year olds as if they were 5, so it took me out of it a bit.... Read more Read less

See it if for a low stakes campy musical. It is predictable, but they know that, and they OWN it, it is part of the hilarity. Entertainment value-MAX

Don't see it if you want some high-brow theatre. This was ridiculous, entertaining, and engaging and I loved the absurdity of it all.

Also The balcony is ROUGH. (except for the T-shirt launch). FYI the views are pretty bad and the lighting up there lights you up along with the show and its distracting. The band overpowered the voices in act 1 a bunch, but hopefully that is fixed in previews.... Read more Read less

See it if you're interested in stuff off the beaten path. It's a start of something, it has some work ahead of it.

Don't see it if you're looking for comedy or something light. I kept reading that this was a 'funny play' but it was far far far from that.

Also I enjoyed the question- is it worth it to follow your "dream" (albeit deluded in kate's case) or is it actually better to get stuck and flow through life?... Read more Read less

See it if You insist on contemporary shows with limited depth. If vanity and scattered comedy suit you. Eli Gelb is great.

Don't see it if You're looking for a substantial takeaway or moving story.The show felt like it was trying hit something for 2.5hr but never fully got there

Also The familial history was minimally explored and the obsession with vanity was harped on with no powerful revelation. I feel as if these two things could have come together to create a more meaningful piece, but the two themes just floated there like polar magnets while these strained relationships played out on stage. The message ended up feeling very vain, which is fine, but do that in 90 minutes, don't drag me along for 140 mins to tell me your money buys you 'hott' play things.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see frozen translated to the stage with all the bells and whistles you'll ever need

Don't see it if you are not impressed by the magic of broadway, you will wonder why you did not just stay home and watch the movie

Also the production value is fantastic, but i was sad that it seemed most people were jaded by this kind of quality... Read more Read less

See it if you're interested in what the Bengsons have to offer. They always give 110% emotion and commitment to what they do.

Don't see it if you want a completely comprehensive traditional musical.

Also This has all the high quality content and emotion of a tumultuous mostly true story. The sound mixing was fantastic considering all that was going on and the clever use of the space. The Bengsons never cease to impress me, and I am excited to see this show buttoned up the way it needs to be throughout previews... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see barrier breaking performances by Edward Barbanell or Jamie Brewer

Don't see it if you are looking for anything more than a dramedy play

See it if you love mean girls. Is it going to win awards? no. Did it do what we needed it to do? yes. Plus, there's plenty of fun music.

Don't see it if you are looking for a verbatim show. They softened the story for the stage but hit the major points in a fun way. The only loss,, kevinG rap

See it if you don't mind flirting with the tragedy of passing time. Well staged and tragic to experience the now&later of the characters

Don't see it if you want something black and white. The substance is not in the dialogue but more in what is observed in between the lines/scenes

See it if you enjoy quality acting in an intimate space that fosters the growth of young playwrights

Don't see it if you want big banal classics

See it if you enjoy the nuances of physical comedy used to portray the words of Billy Shakespeare

Don't see it if you aren't open to a fun/over the top rendition of Shakespeare

Also I didn't find Ashford's antics to be over the top, I thought it was hilarious and though it was crazy at times, it was thoughtful. And Burstein is the bomb.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy quality acting, slowly paced family dramas.

Don't see it if you need more provoking fast paced drama or you are looking for comedy. They try to spin it as a play much funnier than it actually is.

See it if you are really ($$$) into freestyle rap/improv

Don't see it if you are looking for a true broadway production. To me, this was a glorified improv show, and the ones downtown cost significantly less

See it if you are interested in new movie musicals, not based on box office hit. It is a fun time with new music and great actors

Don't see it if you don't like modern takes on Shakespeare classics

Also The show was loads of fun, but it was very corny at times while seemingly attempting to be serious at others, and I wish they would have leaned a little more in one direction or the other. Lean into the corniness of it all, or back off and make it much more dramatic... Read more Read less

See it if you want visual entertainment backed by great vocals, choreo, and performances

Don't see it if you can't stand super psychotic medleys of songs from the last 50 years that are somehow long and short at the same time

See it if you're down for some dark takes on a classic

Don't see it if you're a allergic to a new hot take

See it if you haven't. It's 20+ year run for a reason!

Don't see it if you have an aversion to tourists or small children in the theatre. The majority of the crowd has little knowledge of theatre etiquette

See it if you would be intrigued by a look into a mother coming to terms with the fact that her son committed a disgusting crime

Don't see it if you are Brock Turner's mom

Also I read a lot about Brock Turner's case, so it felt a little distracting that so many details were so similar. It made me resent the characters a little bit.... Read more Read less

See it if you want some grim slapstick

Don't see it if you want something super serious without dancing penises

See it if you've never seen a production of Kiss Me, Kate

Don't see it if you are offended by revivals.

Also They say the original story doesn't age well, and changes were made to bring this production to 2019, but if you were like me and have never seen a production, you will be delighted and entertained!!... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy any type of musical ever, you are bound to enjoy this

Don't see it if you hate actors playing multiple characters or majority singing/ minimal dialogue.

Also Seeing this time in history portrayed on stage from this perspective was fascinating and captivating, especially as a person in NYC during that time. It brought back a lot of emotions and it was so beautifully done... Read more Read less

See it if you want good music, really cool superhero plot, or if you want to see a work in progress

Don't see it if you want a tightly buttoned up musical

Also Act 1 was strong, but Act 2 fell flat- many many songs about anguish despite the fact that the end of act 1 set you up for adventure... Read more Read less

See it if you wanna see an award winning show. it won a lot, so there's that

Don't see it if You can't handle a slow slow slow slow build to 1 emotional ensemble song within 90 minutes.

Also The tension between Israeli and Arab was much more apparent in the movie, it could be because the sound was terrible the night I went, my front mezz section had trouble hearing dialogue over the music... Read more Read less

See it if - Stockard Channing is a star -

Don't see it if You don't enjoy long family dramas.

Also It's a long show with very long scenes, it is easy to get lost in the many quiet monologues, but if you stick with it you will really appreciate the masterful way Stockard portrays her character.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a lovely summer night spent watching theatre outdoors with a modern musical twist on Shakespeare

Don't see it if you're some sort of close minded Shakespearean purist

Also The actors, ensemble, and music are great, and they look like they're having an awesome time up there on stage- that was enough for my friend and I to have a great night in Central Park!... Read more Read less

See it if You want pure entertainment. Music is catchy, the pace is great, voices and dancing are great, plenty of laughs

Don't see it if You require depth and don't enjoy fun funny silly comedy

Also This is great for a group outing or bringing younger teens- if you're looking to culture yourself with NYC theatre, there's a lot going on elsewhere. But this is pure fun.... Read more Read less

See it if you are looking for pure entertainment. It is hilariously written and the rhyming stanzas are comical

Don't see it if you're looking for huge production value or depth. This is a musical farce filled with talent and fun!

Also I wish I was in high school, because I can see this being a MUST on small local stages... Read more Read less

See it if you appreciate breathtaking vocals, choreography, and dance in a classic Broadway musical. yes it's dated, but shutup, all classics are.

Don't see it if dance, ballet, and classic Broadway are not your thing

Also My breath was taken away, I was so taken by this production that I really felt like I had to catch my breath after it was over. The set is simple and striking, and the talent on that stage brings the whole show to the stratosphere.... Read more Read less

See it if you appreciate a zany take on the concept and place of art in history

Don't see it if I will admit- I was confused and angry for the first half of the first act, but as soon as the concept and content clicked, I was blown away

Also If you have the stamina to stick with it, there's a huge payoff. It is provoking theatre with the deep question of how art has a place in history from the perspective of a senile repetitive and exaggerated memory recollection... Read more Read less

See it if you want something that ties your brain in a knot with no resolution. I spent most of the time trying to keep track of characters

Don't see it if you are looking for a neatly packaged story

Also the acting is fantastic, but the writing feels all over the place sometimes. It is quite fun to watch at times, but buckle down for 3 acts... Read more Read less

See it if you're looking for a musical that will probably please everyone in your group.

Don't see it if you're looking for that enchanting Broadway musical. The production fell a little short of big Disney pizzazz

Also Act two made up for act 1. But the show seemed tired already...maybe its the flu going around but it fell pretty flat for a Thursday evening. Projections are interesting at the rear of the stage but they were rarely pulled forward with other stage elements which gave it a 2 dimensional feel (seems like a missed opportunity)... Read more Read less

See it if you explicitly enjoy the art of storytelling. John is good at what he does, but it is tough to tolerate for 2 acts in a huge house.

Don't see it if you need variety.

Also This seems like something that does well for 90minutes or maybe in smaller more intimate off-broadway house. Reminds me of Fully Committed in some ways, but less interesting.... Read more Read less

See it if you want in your face jokes. It is stand up between exaggerated monologues.

Don't see it if you don't like 'stupid' funny or if you want more substance-It feels like they almost got at something interesting but it didn't make it.

See it if you enjoy sports and theatre, it pairs the two well delving into relationships, fears, the psyche of a champ.

Don't see it if you need more character interaction and range. If you're in a bad mood, it's two successful men complaining for 90 minutes.

See it if You want to be entertained with a meaningful but delightful production of great dancing, great musicianship, & a nod to our service people

Don't see it if just see it. There's so much going on you are bound to find something you enjoy.

See it if You love classic Broadway! There aren't many full orchestral overtures and production numbers on Broadway these days, and this one delivers!

Don't see it if you don't like pizzazz.

Also Gotta Love a show where a crowd can applaud set changes and scene transitions!!... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy drama exquisitely acted by young actors. There are many characters that have individual arcs culminating in an emotional end.

Don't see it if You don't enjoy female dominated dramas despite the fact that it is 2017.........