Reesa G

See it if You are a child of the 80s, like one room dramas, don't mind child abuse (in the form of neglect) onstage.

Don't see it if You don't like watching children, want something light, or don't like family dramas.

Also As many others have said, the first half with the kids is too long and REALLY needs to be tightened. That said, I did enjoy the echos from pt 1 to pt 2 (which could be kept while tightening).

Overall, I enjoyed it - mostly bc of the second half. It has some great moments. The set is incredible. And I think they actors did a great job of showing the love between them that can only come from a f'ed up childhood.

I hope it goes back into workshop phase from here and works the kinks out.... Read more Read less

See it if you like SW and have some time to kill.

Don't see it if you care about cliche or SW fandom in general. (see below for more detail)

Also Look, I really wanted to like this. I have been a Star Wars fan since before I was born (literally, my mom took my brother to see them while I was in utero), I slept with Ewok toys, had all the merch as a kid, have seen every one of the movies on opening weekend. In short, I really love it.

And while this musical had some great and witty moments, the framing device of the one female in the show who hated SW felt like a slap in the face - I get "you can't be a real fan" enough in my real life, I don't need it in a show for SW fans. Honestly, it felt like a gross and lazy plot.

Overall, that one piece of the show ruined the whole experience for me.... Read more Read less

See it if want to see a talented and diverse group of women perform a fun and entertaining new work.

Don't see it if you don't like high school angst plays/musicals, don't like horror camp, or don't like to have fun at musicals.

Also First off, the cast of this show is stellar and blew me away. They are all very talented and perfectly cast.

The score is a bit uneven, with the second half being much stronger than the first.

Having said that, there are some really great songs in the first act - my fav being the one between Chess and Kate which blew me away.

Honestly? I think the script is better than this version. For instance, the show works better in the moments when the tone is clearer, which is currently inconsistent throughout.

And I hope it goes through some tightening before it's next version.... Read more Read less

See it if Thing the idea of broken people trying to form a utopia sounds interesting

Don't see it if you are epileptic or have a problem with strobe lights. Also, the show is never fully realized in a weird way.

Also This was an odd show in that the script was.. not great? The show was clearly trying to say something, but never quite got there and so the ideas felt half formed.

The actor's did the best they could I think, but with a weak script?... Read more Read less

See it if You want to have seen something directed and creator by Peter Brook.

Don't see it if You understand the difference between love and child abuse.

Also Look. I love Peter Brook, I do.

However, this show is gross. Like super gross.

I really really need to not see a show in which a major plot point is the "love" of a father and daughter that ends in sex. Spoiler, that's not love, that's abuse. And to frame it as love is to ignore the actual abuse.

And I can't get past that, because nothing that happened on that stage was worth getting past that. They never actually dealt with it in any real way.

In fact, her abuse is a literal plot point in her brother's story. Which again, was never dealt with.

There are better ways to make the metaphor they were trying to make than to have hinged it on child abuse, and then tried to ignore that it was abuse.... Read more Read less

See it if Like looking at how small actions effect personalities.

Don't see it if you want a more linear story and plot.

See it if You like simple new musicals with heart.

Don't see it if You want a long show, this one runs about an hour.

See it if You like smart shows that use satire to make a point.

Don't see it if You aren't interested in thinking about why you are laughing.

See it if You like well acted, modern, new work that is relevant and asks the audience to question what they think.

Don't see it if You need everything to be perfect or want a fluffy night - this show will make you think.

See it if You want a short show that is well acted with committed actors

Don't see it if You have a problem with violence

Also The hardest part about this show is that it's a great start to something, but doesn't really ever live up to that promise. The actual story that they're trying to tell is unclear, not the actions of the play itself, but why are they telling it. What's at the heart of it.

The show feels like it's trying to ask questions, but never really gets to a point that it actually asks anything.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a rarely performed early work

Don't see it if If you have no exposure to the show and won't know what you've missed.

Also I guess now is the time I should mention I love this play, and have since I read the short story in high school.

While earnestly performed, I think this production missed some of the heart of the actual drama and therefore what makes this play interesting. Instead, it seemed to be performed as a slice of life, which makes for less drama and a slow 40 minutes. Moments of subtext were rushed or skipped entirely, which left some of the important conversations that the show is about lost.... Read more Read less

See it if new works about timely events

Don't see it if don't want to talk about what's happening, or want a light fluffy play

See it if You like well acted shows with lots of rich layers.

Don't see it if You want something light and fluffy.

See it if You like well acted, well scripted shows.

Don't see it if If you have problems with talk about child sexual abuse.

Also The show, about two old friends who haven't seen each other in two years, is brilliantly acted. Unfortunately, the staging of it was awful, seeming to forget the lay out of the performance space in blocking decisions.... Read more Read less

See it if You like thought provoking intense theatre about sensitive subjects.

Don't see it if If you have a hard time with intense shows about intense subject matters.

See it if You like immersive theatre, musicals, and want to see how the two ideas can merge.

Don't see it if you don't life gore, are attached to proscenium theatre, or don't like pie.

See it if You like beautiful music, beautiful story telling, and beautiful story.

Don't see it if You don't like concert style singing

Also I didn't know anything about this show walking in, and I"m glad I didn't.

Quick word of warning, this show is the story of a couple told through the music they create. It plays like a concert more than a traditional theatre show.

And it's worth it.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to know more about the autism spectrum. Or want to see a beautiful piece of art.

Don't see it if If you don't have any desire to know what it's like to be nero-atypical or see through someone else's brain.

Also What I loved about this show is that it looks at autism outside of the stereotypes. Half of the autistic characters are girls, half are boys. Half are non-verbal, half verbal. There was not a single train anywhere in the show.

The show excels at showing the confusing points of intersection between the nero-atypical and the nero-typical world.... Read more Read less

See it if You like well acted Shakespeare with a modern framing device

Don't see it if only like traditional Shakes. Or don't like Shakes at all.

See it if Have ever wanted to see two power house actress tackle difficult roles with grace.

Don't see it if You are looking for something funny.

See it if You like the glitz and glamour and heart.

Don't see it if You don't have a heart.

See it if You want to support queer story telling and don't mind shows that are prob not ready for an audience yet

Don't see it if You have heat problems (no AC), or need to understand what you see.

Also The show was lost in lots of places in what it was trying to do. Every character on stage was under developed. The directing didn't help the clarity of it at all. It needs a good dramaturg and a MUCH better director. It had some really intresting ideas, that never went anywhere.

As a side note to everything else, as an Ace person, I was actually really excited to see an Ace character on stage in a queer play, and then horrified when they played right into the "Ace isn't an identity, there's just something wrong with you" troupe.... Read more Read less

See it if want to support a female heavy theatre company, or like plays that live in the world of theatrical realism, not naturalism.

Don't see it if Like fully polished shows. This one still needs some editing, though it's in very good shape.

Also The seed of the idea, about the way we store and value memories, is good.

I think the script it self still needs some work. For instance, the connection to Glass Menagerie is tenuous at best, and could have been removed without losing any part of the story.... Read more Read less

See it if you like to learn about unknown parts of history - esp as far as women's rights are concerned.

Don't see it if You need a purely liner story, or hate the characters talking directly to the audience.

Also This was an interesting piece of history I didn't know about and thought was fascinating, especially in light of the new abortion law that was just passed in NYC,

This is, more or less, the story of Madame Restell, a NYC ladies doctor, midwife, and yes, abortionist, in the 1800s before abortion was illegal.

On top of the interesting subject matter, they have put together an amazing show full of traditional music used with great effect.

It also has a small cast that doubles, which makes interesting commentary on the gender politics of the time, and this one. I really appreciated that cross-gender doubling was NEVER done for laughs and that the actors did the roles with heart and humanity.

All in all, go see this!... Read more Read less

See it if You like sweet shows about unlikely friendships.

Don't see it if You like shows with actions

Also This is a very sweet show about two unlikely friends. As it unfolds, you discover more about their lives in what they choose to share with each other. It's a character study in people of multi-generations who need each other.... Read more Read less

See it if Great acting in a strong script that asks deep questions about the nature of relationships.

Don't see it if You are looking for something light and fluffy.

See it if You like to experience theater with heart, or you like to see the work of characters becoming characters in front of you.

Don't see it if You don't like fairy tales or aren't interested in theatrical magic.

See it if You want to see a masterful play handled by a masterful actor.

Don't see it if You don't like one man shows.

Also The combination of Will Eno's words and Micheal C Hall's ability to be presented at all times and seem as if he is not acting at all is breath taking.

I wasn't expecting the show to be nearly as funny as it is, but it's delightful!... Read more Read less

See it if You were a fan of the movie.

Don't see it if You didn't watch the movie or don't know who Dove Cameron is.

Also The musical tries to re-create the beloved 90s movie with almost shot by shot - but it frequently misses the heart of the movie itself, making it a pale imitation of the movie.

Furthermore, the show itself is a little bit of a mess, which means, if you haven't seen the movie you are likely to be a little lost on the plot.

Also, they music is all re-written American pop from the 90s and early 00s. If you know that, it's entertaining and hits the nostalgia spot. But if you aren't a fan of that genre, it's not easy to see what's going on or why people are laughing.

Having said that, the actors do what they can with it, with an outstanding performance from Dove Cameron, who commands the stage every time she's on it.

All in all, go for the nostalgia of the 90s. Go because you like Dove Cameron. Don't go because you are looking for a good and well put together show.... Read more Read less

See it if You love King Lear. Or you want to see how timely King Lear can be.

Don't see it if You want traditional Shakespeare that doesn't ask tough questions.

See it if You like new and original theatre that is timely, important, and well done.

Don't see it if You want traditional theatre, or theatre that isn't interested in making you think.

See it if You like contemplation on art, or what it means to be a mentor or What it means to work with a hero. Really, just go see it

Don't see it if don't like plays about children's writers.

See it if You like seeing well acted new work with potential.

Don't see it if You want a script that is fully finished and tells a full, genuine story.

Also This was an interesting show because it was very well acted and directed, but it often felt the actors were fighting against a script that wasn't sure what it was.

At it's heart, when the show was at it's best, it's an intense family drama about the lies we tell the ones we love (and ourselves) and the inability to see each other clearly.

However, the script has several other unnecessary layers on it that hide the heart of the show, and make it convoluted, more complicated, and less believable that it could be.... Read more Read less

See it if You love Albee. You love drama that punches you in the (metaphoric) face.

Don't see it if You don't want intense themes and plays

Also Honestly, the second act, or Zoo Story, makes this a must see for me. I felt like the first act (At Home) was... off some how, though I'm unsure if it was acting or directing or writing of it. But Zoo Story, that was electric!... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in good story telling, acting, writing, staging, and directing.

Don't see it if you don't like good, engaging theatre or if you are look for something light and fluffy.

See it if You like slice of life shows with intense moments.

Don't see it if You like character arcs.

Also First off, this is a play with songs, not a musical. Overall, the acting was great, but subtle.

The writing though - I feel like they weren't really clear on what story they were trying to tell. Or why they were trying to tell it.... Read more Read less

See it if You like adult comedy versions of Dr Seuss.

Don't see it if You have a problem with adult content.

Also This one woman show starts off as a comedy and ends up more touching that you expect it to be.

A must see for all those who want an adult Christmas story.... Read more Read less

See it if You like experimental theatre versions of classic scripts

Don't see it if You need clarity. Or have strong attachments to the children's version of Peter Pan.

Also First, let me say, I LOVE Bedlam. I've been keeping up with them since St Joan, and loved everything.

... until Peter Pan

The biggest problem with this of Peter Pan is that it is three different versions of PP rolled into one. Two of them work very well together. One of them does not.

So, in the end, the whole show is a wash of confusion.

There are some really great moments - like how they handled Tink, or the flying, or Nana.

Then there are some confusing moments.

In the end, the show really felt like it was trying to say something but never quite got there.... Read more Read less

See it if Want to listen to a treatise on poetry

Don't see it if You care about predictably - the plot is obvious from the start.

See it if You want to support a great cause

Don't see it if Have an attachment to the script and the characters.

Also First off, I want to say I'm really attached to this script, it's my favorite modern play. I've seen it multiple times and probably am a little harder on it than others might be.

The staging itself was awkward, with people getting caught in doors and entrances late because actors couldn't get in the actual door.

But the cast was enjoying themselves. And it is for a great cause.... Read more Read less

See it if You like thought provoking drama with a little bit of humor.

Don't see it if If you want all the questions answered.

See it if You like Sarah Bareilles music, or the movie, or pie

Don't see it if You have strong feelings about the ethics of relationships.

See it if you can. Srsly, everyone should see it.

Don't see it if You think history plays need to be "historically correct"

Also This show lives up to it's hype! I've seen it twice and I loved it both times.... Read more Read less

See it if You like immersive theatre, especially if you like more of a guided experience.

Don't see it if You are looking for a cohesive story, or have to stay with the people you came with.

Also I know I'm in the minority, but I think this show is MUCH better than Sleep No More. It has the same feel of being in another world, but they do a much better job of making sure that the audience is where they need to be to see the story unfold.

Note, you will not get the same story as those you come with. Also, you will be separated from them for parts of the evening.

I loved this show and can't wait to go back! I loved the one on ones!... Read more Read less