RRR

See it if you like old-timey camp and melodrama

Don't see it if you want a good story or are expecting a heavy drag/cabaret production

See it if you like sketch comedy and improv, enjoyed the '90s, and don't mind that it's low budget and can go a little off the rails

Don't see it if you have high expectations, need a polished show and a good story

Also I appear to be a Police Cops fan, having seen their other shows, but this was my least favorite... Read more Read less

See it if you want an open mike/cabaret-type feel, experimental performance; interested in the gay experience

Don't see it if you don't want to move around to explore the space; are uncomfortable with sexual innuendo

See it if you have a dark sense of humor; like laughing at terrible people (played by engaging actors) and their unfortunate circumstances.

Don't see it if you don't want to see what is basically a two monologue performance; you're uncomfortable with the stereotypes of poor people for humor

See it if you like weird theatre of the absurd

Don't see it if you need to understand what's going on; you want your theater experience to be more than an hour (this clocked in just under)

See it if you like camp and experimental theater

Don't see it if you expect participation; don't want to sit through a lackluster performance in a stuffy room

See it if you want a small, low-budget Moulin Rouge-esque show inside a atmospheric bar; interested in the painter

Don't see it if you'll be annoyed by the hip hop music wafting up from downstairs; need a rich story and plot

See it if you want something unconventional and different; like thought-provoking analysis of the black and the Jewish experience

Don't see it if you don't like live and old-timey recorded jazz music! Or need something linear and easy to follow

Also you don't need to be familiar with movie to enjoy this production (but I'm sure it enriches the experience if you do)... Read more Read less

See it if you like solo shows - this one was solid

Don't see it if you want more characters, more energy, more set

See it if you are into immersive theatre - this is OK (not WOW, but solid); want a piece that's relevant to today's issues and makes you think

Don't see it if immersive theatre is not your jam

Also There are three tracks/groups and you are not free to wander on your own - you are guided based on the group you are assigned. Everyone's experience will be different, but I must have gotten the track that just didn't resonate with me. It took awhile for me to get into it and care about the characters (I honestly don't think I ever did)... Read more Read less

See it if you're curious about prison life, especially as a privileged white man; you don't mind bare bones productions

Don't see it if you want to empathize with or like the main character

See it if you don't need much of a story; are really into Poe and like watching scenes play out in interesting rooms; good (but loud) soundtrack.

Don't see it if you don't think you'll hit the $25 minimum. They will charge you $25 whether you order enough or not, and add gratuity on top.

See it if you like your plays with subjects on the heavier side, and like personal dramas that focus on two people.

Don't see it if imperfect writing and a "soap opera vibe" makes you cringe.

See it if you like the variety arts, and want a "family-style" production.

Don't see it if you are expecting Cirque du Soleil-quality (or at least advanced-level) performances; want some kind of narrative.

See it if you enjoy non-traditional performance focusing on illustration, projection, puppetry, film, and foley. It's unusual and cute.

Don't see it if you want a longer performance, live actors, dialogue. The story itself leaves a bit to be desired.

See it if you like a little melodrama; you want to see a solo show that covers race and class and is set in a hospital (nice set!)

Don't see it if a 75 minute monologue that's a bit predictable wont cut it for you. I found it engaging, but at times not very realistic

See it if you like jazz; you want a hybrid concert/theater experience; you like dancing along with actors

Don't see it if you don't want to stand the majority of the time; you don't want to be encouraged by actors to dance during the musical interludes

See it if you like experimental theater about technology and society; are fine with varying levels of acting (some good, some OK, some not so great)

Don't see it if you want something polished and linear/straight-forward; if the term "avant-garde" makes you cringe

See it if you want something nontraditional, fast-paced, absurd and weird (in a good way!)

Don't see it if you want a straight-forward, traditional play and need to "get it"

See it if you like your theater a little absurd, you like engaging actors (although I'm one of the few who didn't care for Austin Pendleton).

Don't see it if you dislike actors breaking the fourth wall and stopping the flow to directly address the audience.

Also I've never actually read or seen Uncle Vanya (have seen iterations), and I'm not familiar with Aaron Posner's work, but I still found the show interesting - but can't speak for Vanya purists.... Read more Read less

See it if you like new plays based on current events; want a solid play with a good set, good acting

Don't see it if you want something light-hearted; don't want to see a play abut gun violence and bullying

See it if you like a clubby, EDM vibe; want more of a concert rather than a theatrical performance

Don't see it if you like actual immersive theatre (the buzzword is applied to EVERYTHING); want a story and something substantive

Also I was pretty unimpressed, but I'll admit that it could just be me. It wasn't terrible, but I kept checking my watch to see when it would be over.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in rap, neuroscience, and solo shows; you're curious to check out this rap guide series

Don't see it if you don't like those things above; want high production value

See it if you like improv and sketch comedy; want to see two women play multiple characters; are ok with an unpolished and amateur-feeling show

Don't see it if you want solid writing; you want more than a lacklaster show with occasional funny bits

See it if you can be entertained without much substance; like the subject of sex and porn (funny, without being too heavy)

Don't see it if you want a more developed story

See it if you love a typical British farce (mistaken identities, scheming, etc.) with solid actors and nice set/costumes.

Don't see it if you don't want a long, predictable play that's not very well written (or not written for today's audiences)

See it if you want a perfectly fine dance piece and like Vivaldi

Don't see it if you want very traditional ballet or very edgy modern dance because this is more middle of the road.

See it if you are curious about the show and don't mind uneven acting; want to see a short play

Don't see it if you want more substance

See it if you want an old-fashioned musical and don't mind minimal staging.

Don't see it if you want to be wowed. I saw it in previews and it was rocky, but I don't see it being worth the $65 ticket price once fine tuned.

See it if you want something that's *almost* there story- and acting-wise (but not quite); you want to see a cool set and staging

Don't see it if you want a real psychological thriller; you can't suspend disbelief

See it if you are interested in the life of an alcoholic; interested in a well-done show with minimal set and actors playing multiple characters

Don't see it if you don't like the subject matter; need more of a story/plot

See it if you want to see the story of a family surviving the effects of rape as told through a mother's eyes

Don't see it if you expect top notch acting - the author (who is playing herself in the production) tells you this up front, but she does a fine job

See it if you're into Chekhov; don't mind low-budget plays; and are open to times of slowness and uneven performances - but overall not terrible

Don't see it if you don't want to sit through a long, unmemorable play

See it if you are looking for (or don't mind) a 1/2 solo performance and 1/2 participatory experience

Don't see it if you want a traditional theatrical experience; you don't want to get up and act a fool with strangers (even though you should!)

See it if you are into immersive theatre - this is one of the better productions

Don't see it if the subject of Alzheimer's might make you uncomfortable; don't like "choose your own adventure" style (you wont get the full story)

Also There was a lot of thought put into the production and attention to detail, and you are able to fully explore the set in between performances to get a deeper look into Margaret's life. Immersive theatre in itself can be confusing and disorienting, but they add a little extra to almost put you into that state of confusion.... Read more Read less

See it if you want insight into the black experience; like engaging monologues; are a fan of Shakespeare's work

Don't see it if a black man expressing frustration makes you feel like you're being lectured at; you want more interaction between the characters

See it if you're interested in the subject matter and want to see a good ensemble.

Don't see it if you need a story with a little more action and excitement. It's fine, but not WOW.

See it if the subject of China-US relations is interesting to you; you want to see a play about a film set in the 1920s; you want multi-levels of plot

Don't see it if you want a clear story (what's the deal with dystopian future Brooklyn? What's going on?)

See it if you are a fan of this company (I found it to be one of their stronger productions); like a good burlesque/ballet mashup.

Don't see it if you don't like risque performances; want the story (these are vignettes); are annoyed by audience members taking constant photos and video.

Also LOVE this company, but hate that they encourage photography. Audience members and their phones are really obnoxious.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a light and fluffy, entertaining musical with catchy numbers.

Don't see it if you want something modern or more serious/substantive

See it if you want to see a solid production of a classic; you don't mind a 3 hour performance, although it moves quickly

Don't see it if you might find a small, warm room (in a 4th floor walk-up!) with clackity A/C bothersome; you don't want a bare bones production

Also Some uneven acting, but the leads are great. There is some weird double-casting where actors are playing multiple characters in the same scene in the second act, which I found distracting.... Read more Read less

See it if you have nothing better going on. It's fine, and even enjoyable, but just kinda "blah" and predictable.

Don't see it if you need more substance and want to be challenged.

See it if you want to see a production of this play specifically; want to support small theaters

Don't see it if you want something dark and edgy (the story may be, but this ain't it), want great acting, need big production value

See it if you like puppetry and want to see something beautiful and unusual.

Don't see it if you need a lot of action or an easy to follow story (it gets a little abstract at the end - or maybe I just didn't "get it")

See it if you like music and improv (you don't have to be a rap fan to enjoy it) and a different approach to theater and learning about science!

Don't see it if you aren't into solo shows, or need high production value.

See it if you want risque, cabaret-style ballet burlesque; like extravagant (and naughty) performances

Don't see it if you want a traditional take on the holiday favorite, don't like highly sexualized performances

See it if you like strong ensembles with entertaining (yet not so memorable) songs; are fine with a basic set and plot

Don't see it if you want dialogue; a complex story

See it if you want some great physical comedy and miming; want something kinda weird, yet fun and entertaining

Don't see it if you want dialogue; a traditional straight play; not interested in a piece about society's obsession with technology

Also love the inclusion of the Wilhelm scream! Also, I'm not much of a "laugh out loud" type, but this got some audible laughs from me.... Read more Read less

See it if you're feeling adventurous for some quirky and unconventional theater (it just wasn't for me but you might like it)

Don't see it if you speak Russian and expect correct pronunciation

See it if you like unconventional experiments in storytelling, and use of different media

Don't see it if you want continuous plot, something that makes sense

Also I know the show is over, but if you read most of those 100 scores, they are BS (which makes me dislike the performance more).... Read more Read less