Sarah R 7280

See it if You enjoy character-driven pieces and want to see a new playwright's voice

Don't see it if You don't enjoy violence on stage, or if you want a story totally rooted in reality

Also I was totally on board with this show through intermission (technical note, the intermission is LONG - at least 25 minutes when I saw it), but it fell apart in the second act. The first act was believable, the chemistry and relations between all of the characters was beautifully written and acted, and the tempo of motion was fantastic. Once the second act began, the characters began to act more out-of-character, and the twist reveal wasn't a "twist", it was a desperate attempt at edginess that made the whole second act really fall apart.

It's a shame that the second act didn't live up to the first, because the first act really was very good. The playwright has an excellent grasp on character dialogue, and I loved the complexity of all of the characters. The fight scene in Act 1 is also one of the most well choreographed fights I've found in a while, and the scenic design and staging were inventive. I still recommend it for its ideas, it just needs more workshopping.... Read more Read less

See it if You appreciate character-driven dramatic comedies and/or enjoy Lonergan's work

Don't see it if You are looking for a high-action piece or you want a show that makes you feel good

Also Lonergan has a certain way with words when it comes to character-driven pieces that are poignant, relevant, thought-provoking, and somehow also hilarious. Set in the 90s, many of the complications and concerns the cast deal with are still just as relevant today.

The acting was strong on almost all fronts - Cera in particular gave a perfectly nuanced and very memorable performance. Henry was also memorable as the conflicted William, and Evans brought a beautifully slimy quality to Bill. Powley was definitely the weakest of the quartet - while she certainly committed, many of her choices just didn't land.

I wasn't thrilled with the revolve on stage, as it didn't seem to solve much purpose other than "look we're a Broadway show with money". Other than that, the set design was fantastic, and the lighting design was especially phenomenal.

Overall, this is a great revival of a solid script - definitely worth seeing!... Read more Read less

See it if You like intimate, clever storytelling assisted by impressive illusions

Don't see it if You're expecting a flashy magic show

Also This show is magical, and not even because of the magic. Delgaudio has crafted an epic, masterful evening of storytelling that invites the audience to explore and experience a deep, intimate sense of community with him and the other audience members.

The illusions themselves are also masterful - some are certainly cliched, but there were others I have not seen before. The true illusion is how Delgaudio wraps everything up in a perfect, cyclical bow.

Do yourself a favor and see this before it closes - but make sure that you go in with an open mind and a willingness to accept Delgaudio's extended hand into the intimate unknown.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in philosophical explorations of art

Don't see it if you are expecting this to be the story of Hamlet

Also I was very pleasantly surprised by this show, as it was not at all what I was expecting. Dickie Beau was masterful, not only in his conception of the show but in the execution. It was a very touching look at what we perceive to be taboo and standard in art, and how we react to art itself. A very enjoyable evening.... Read more Read less

See it if you want an evening of theatre that makes you think and feel, but doesn't weigh you down too heavily

Don't see it if you want a show with actual plot, structure, or characters

Also This is less of a traditional play and more of a stage adaptation of the book, but it was delightful, charming, and didn't leave a dry eye in the audience. It masterfully covered humor, heartbreak, and everything in between. The decision to have the letters read by actors who didn't necessarily match the age, race, or gender of the writer was very smart, as it helped the audience insert themselves into the letters as through they could have been read by anyone.... Read more Read less

See it if You're a fan of Sergei Diaghilev or want to see a unique staging of an intimate character-piece

Don't see it if You want a thought-provoking show or one that will hold your undivided attention for the duration

Also I entered the theatre and was immediately struck by scenic design - soft lights illuminated a mostly bare stage, framed by two ornate mirrors. It evoked a feeling of classic art and the romanticism of it. The acting was superb all around, but unfortunately, they just didn't have the best script to work with. The first act dragged on, while the second act flew by. Some plot points seemed to come out of nowhere, others were contrived, and I was disappointed that for a show about a prolific ballet company, we barely got any actual dancing, and that wasn't until near the end.... Read more Read less

See it if you like improv, on-the-nose and underscored comedy, or you want to see something but you have no idea what (you'll probably find it here!)

Don't see it if you care about structure, polish, or cohesiveness

Also I've seen both "Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind" and "The Infinite Wrench" by the Neo-Futurists - essentially the same concept, just a different name. It's a different show every week, so it's impossible to judge the show as a whole based on one or even multiple performances. Some sketches are definite hits, emanating energy throughout the entire intimate theatre; others are misses, and the small theatre space makes it pretty apparent when they are. The ticket pricing is unique though (set price + what you roll on a die) and the cast is personable, energetic, and welcoming, so ultimately, you're in for a good experience, even if a few of the sketches don't quite hit your fancy!... Read more Read less

See it if Everyone should see this (or read it now that it has closed, or catch a regional production or a recording). Everyone.

Don't see it if you're just looking for a commercial musical. It's thought-provoking, but also hilariously entertaining, so everyone should give it a shot!

Also A Doll's House Part 2 is one of the few plays on Broadway that I watched, walked out of the theatre, and immediately wanted to see it again (which I did twice more). There are very few small-cast, character-centric plays where I enjoyed watching every single character, and where every single character was REAL. No one was right or wrong 100% of the time, discussions were honest and transparent, and the acting choices were impeccable. The set design was also so smart - a singular set, simplistic, and completely illustrative of the characters' situations and mental states. The topics discussed were poignant, relevant, and thought-provoking, and were handled with just the right balance of humor, wit, and sincerity. This was one of the best shows I've seen in a long time, and it will continue to be a favorite script of mine.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy conceptually intelligent, masterfully staged productions that leave you reflective (and a little shaken).

Don't see it if you're only looking for a night of fun entertainment, or if strobe lights, intense soundscapes, or torture bother you.

Also 1984 is not for the casual theatre-goer who is just looking for a nice night on the town; however, if you are interested in culturally relevant or beautifully executed theatre, do yourself a favor and go see 1984. The performances from principles and ensemble alike are a beautiful dance to watch, and the staging and multimedia implementation are powerful and intelligent. You can tell that a lot of thought was put into the creative process of this show - nothing is done without a purpose. Despite being a rather long show with no intermission, I was captivated the whole time, hooked early on and drawn even deeper into the show at it's turning point. The end was a bit abrupt, though, and could maybe have used some flushing out. A huge props to the cast, however, who are able to throw 110% on the stage with each performance night after night. Conceptually intelligent, exhilaratingly provocative, brilliantly curated, and beautifully executed. Go see it, then go buy yourself a drink.... Read more Read less

See it if You're looking for a light, clever spin on the Harry Potter universe

Don't see it if You are unfamiliar with the Potter world

Also What a delightful show! It's not deep, it's not revelatory, but it's fun, enchanting, and an all-around good time. The intermixed bits of improv really give the show a life, and the use of puppetry, sight gags, and stellar lighting really pull the whole thing together. The characters are loud and fun, and the inside jokes - which never cross the copyright line! - really move the show along.

Matinees are also family friendly!... Read more Read less

See it if You don't mind shows that wander for a while before getting to a point

Don't see it if You are looking for a thought-provoking, tight production

Also I had high hopes for this show, but it grabbed WAY too many eggs to put into one basket. It took 45 minutes to even get to the main tension - possibly losing the farm - of the show. If there has been a hot-topic item in politics in the last 10 years, they tried to put it in.

I appreciate their attempt at filling the entirety of the unique, challenging space, but the direction was very lacking. A good chunk of the action was obstructed due to poor blocking, and there were several character choices (random bouts of enthusiasm anyone?) that were completely out of character and broke the believability of the world.

There is a good concept at the core of this - specifically, the bits about immigration/deportation and DACA were strong - but the playwright needs to go back to the script and tighten it up a *lot*. This could easily be 90 minutes, not 2 1/2 hours.... Read more Read less

See it if You want a nice, light evening of theater with gorgeous design elements

Don't see it if You want a play with a deep message or complex characters

Also The script is nice and sweet, but the message is fairly simple and commercial: "believe in yourself!" The actors strongly committed to their characters, which were believable but not overly complex. Unfortunately, there were so many interesting threads in the script that would have fulfilling to explore, but the playwright decided to ignore.

The most incredible thing about this play were the design elements. Pardess's set was breathtaking, and the projections were skillfully used (though perhaps a bit overused).

Overall it was a nice 90 minutes, even if it wasn't incredibly deep or thought-provoking.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy the work of the playwright/want to see a modern retelling of a classic

Don't see it if you are looking for a *fresh* take on a classic, or if you are wanting something less ambitious

Also I was very disappointed with this show. The playwright's notes stated that they focus specifically on the relationship between Oedipus and Jocasta, but that did not read at all. The idea of setting it in Chicano gang culture and using inmates as the greek chorus was inventive, but unfortunately that's where the positive elements sort of stopped. The show tried to do too much, and attempted to hit all of the story points in 90 minutes, while also throwing a bit of gratuitous nudity and puppetry in. Some good stuff, but definitely needs a lot more work.... Read more Read less

See it if you're a fan of Rajiv Joseph's work, or you just want a night of epic theatre

Don't see it if you don't have the patience for a 3 hour play or if you have no interest in Russian history

Also I never thought I would be so captivated by a 3 hour show with two intermissions, but here we are. Rajiv Joseph masterfully weaves together a tale that holds you spellbound until the end. There are just enough callbacks without being overbearing, amazing monologues and dialogues, and honest, well-written characters that are incredibly believable. Despite taking place over 90 years, the topics are relevant even today, with profound revelations throughout.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see good, committed acting in entertaining, dynamic characters through a string of fun musical numbers.

Don't see it if you care about cohesion, consistency, or insightfulness. An entertaining time, but it needs some significant work as a whole.

See it if you want to see two powerhouse vocalists with songs clearly written for them

Don't see it if you are looking for a thoughtful show with deep substance

Also War Paint was certainly enjoyable, but it was clearly written for its two leading ladies (who were, by all accounts, fabulous). It was decently flashy and well-choreographed, but it the story lacked depth (and honestly even character development). It seemed as though the writers had a lot of things they wanted to say but just couldn't figure out the most effective way to tell them in a cohesive, 2-hour story. This made it seem like a bunch of power ballads strung together with a little bit of plot continuity and some ensemble numbers for sparkle. There were some interesting moments, and an entertaining song or two, but I didn't walk away humming any of the tunes. Some good, witty dialogue, though, and the visual elements were beautiful!... Read more Read less