Sharon Beth

See it if You like very well acted family dramas with an uplifting, though sad, ending

Don't see it if You believe that uplifting endings are too corny. You have a problem with foul language or seeing graphic depictions of sickness

Also This has some of the best acting I have ever seen, and I have seen a lot of good acting. It is a contemporary drama that promotes "family values". I do not know why people are saying it says too much since everything relates to the theme of the importance of love and forgiveness.
Unlike other reviewers I believe that the John character was important to prevent the story from being too insular and to give the problems the family was facing some economic and cultural context as well as to provide some comic relief
Yeah, it was a little formulaic. During the last third I kept wondering is this was going to end so predictably or will there be a plot twist? However, because the acting was so superior it overcame this. I found myself gasping "Bravo" at the end.
If some of the foul language was taken out or changed this play could be a real hit on Broadway.... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in the problems and perspectives of immigrant youth in the city

Don't see it if Reading from scripts, plays that are basically just broken up monologues, although they are monologues by a number of people, annoy you

Also Although these monologues are apparently the real stories of the kids (ranging in ages 20 to 24) who say them and they do not sound like recited lines although the kids are reading, in some cases there is a lack of emotion. The actors, although young, are looking back on their childhood and teen years and to a certain extent are intellectualizing and distancing themselves from the lived experience.
This is necessary work for an adult but at the same time did not give the full drama of the emotion the kids must have been feeling at the time they faced the problems that they discuss.
In some cases I would have liked more details of their experiences, especially in their feelings about their relationships This show could be expanded by another half hour to an hour.
The walking around, although I understand the symbolism behind it, and that it gave the audience and actors needed one minute breaks for this no intermission show, made it a confusing to follow the actors' stories... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in the assimilation and PTSD issues of refugees. You like relationship dramas with a lot of conversation

Don't see it if You prefer lighter fare. You have difficulty listening to foreign accents on stage.

Also Understanding the actors because of the accents and occasional lack of voice projection is sometimes a problem.
This is a standard drama format with an explosive plot twist at the end. It weaves back and forth from naturalism to symbolism a little bit, although for me not enough to be disconcerting, it may bother others
Acting was uniformly good... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in gay cultural history and stories about flawed people trying to connect. Heartfelt dialogue and performances

Don't see it if Psychological dramedys bore you. You are deeply offended by portrayals of anal sex and teens making risqué jokes.

Also Also do not see it if you believe that people who focus on their own emotions are self indulgent.

This is the third time that I have seen this in the past year (two times off Broadway) and each time I feel differently about it, especially the ending.

The first time I believed that Arnold was a fool (like so many of us) to go back to Ed, a vapid, self centered user who put himself first in every situation. The second time I felt that Arnold had become more empowered by implying that Ed was clearly on probation and that if they were to be together he had to shape up. The third time I believed that Arnold's growth came not in that he became more empowered in protecting himself but in having the courage to make himself more vulnerable. That from "I care, but not enough" he journeyed to loving whole heartedly even those who rejected him. In other words, "From each man kills the thing he loves" to "If equal love cannot be then let the more loving one be me". (Auden)... Read more Read less

See it if You like historical dramas dealing with moral dilemmas

Don't see it if You dislike shows with a lot of dialogue and little action You find oral sex visually hidden but explicitly depicted onstage to be offensiv

Also I realize that there were time constraints but it bothered me that the show, in spite of the dialogue discussed the characters' motivations and moral dilemmas fairly supercially. I kind of felt that both Heidigger and Arendt were caricatures.... Read more Read less

See it if Excellent solo acting about a relevant situation

Don't see it if You have trouble with the prochoice position being expressed well. The prolife position was not expressed as well although it was implied

See it if Like shows on gay themes. Shows about how minority cultures and prejudices change over time

Don't see it if There was symbolism, talking babies, providing commentary for what otherwise would be pure naturalism-this dichotomy can be disconcerting

Also This was just an update of Papa Woof Daddy Hot. Same theme and plot structure only expanded to include lesbians and transvestites. Like Papa Woof story moved along largely by dinner party conversation.
I believe that Torch Song which is the grandfather of most of these gay relationship plays did it better, although now it is more than a little dated. Torch Song exposed more pain and had more heart.... Read more Read less

See it if You have a strong interest in modern Chinese history' like BD Wong

Don't see it if You have a real problem when actors voices are unclear

Also I normally have a real problem with preposterous plots trying to pose as naturalism but the feelings were so real it overcame this. I know many Chinese immigrants and the feelings he faced, how China crushed the souls of so many, are so real I was truly able to "suspend disbelief" at the plot devices.
Problem was that Manford and the Americancoach were not always entirely easy to understand; they both could have used mikes although BD Wong, with the heavy Chinese accent, was crystal clear.
Superior acting of BD Wong.... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in disability rights, you are interested in an original take on the "nothing in common" theme

Don't see it if You like actors playing romantic relationships to exude chemistry, you dislike plays about identity politics

See it if You are interested in the holocaust and Jewish history

Don't see it if You are not interested in the holocaust You like in depth character studies that focus on people's motivations

Also Although most of the historical characters did not survive (I was glad about the epilogue and also that this WAS about real historical characters) this was an upbeat piece because it was about people, Jewish and non Jewish, who were were willing to risk their lives to help others survive. It provides renewed faith in human nature.
I would have liked more discussion about the motivations of the characters for getting involved in the resistance cell. The motivation was only discussed for one character, the Communist from Surinam.
The scene where the gay artist seduced the policeman through being a dominatrix in order to get information was fascinating although I doubt if it is true.
The lesbian relationship which undoubtedly was not true was a distraction.... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in historical feminism and period pieces

Don't see it if You want a musical or light fare

Also Show was well paced. Dialogue was relevant but not too dense. I was surprised at some of the gender role reversal with attitudes towards sex and the double standard which were probably funnier in 1908 and the 1920s than they were today but it was nevertheless absorbing... Read more Read less

See it if If you like gay themed character studies

Don't see it if You need action or a real plot

Also I like seeing different plays with the same theme to see how different playwrights treat the same material. In this case the theme was the twink with the older man who outgrew the relationship. It was absorbing and the fact that it was largely based on fact made it more so. As usual with McNally one had to listen carefully; the dialogue is pretty dense.. If you are interested in the time period described and the characters it would be absorbing. Minimal staging kept the focus on the script.... Read more Read less

See it if You have an interest in immigrants, especially Chinese immigrants

Don't see it if You dislike non judgemental treatments of casual sex, (although this was an aside to the story) sometimes over the top characterizations

Also Although this play says nothing new for those who are following the scene in modern China it does emphasize some of the emotional issues concerning immigrants and ties to their country and the "I gotta make it" immigrant mentality that I have seen in so many immigrants, not only Chinese. It discusses in a sophisticated nuanced way many of the issues involved and does it using humor. I am amazed that the playwright who was at the talk back and whose native language is not Enblish was able to write such a sophisticated well paced play even if she may have had some help... Read more Read less

See it if You have a strong interest in Islam and in American Muslim women.

Don't see it if You do not enjoy plays that are on religious themes and that promote Islam

Also There was something missing here somehow. It seemed almost like a community theater production. The moral, that spiritual transformation is difficult but by being our best authentic selves and accepting the trials and tribulations G*d gives us is how we can best honor G*d, is kind of beaten over the head of the audience. This would seem the type of play that would be good as an educational piece to be shown at an Islamic youth retreat, convention (especially a women's convention) or at a mosque. It is feminist in that the show says that following the wishes of one's father may not necessarily G*d's will and that it's important to be authentic... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in issues of gender fluidity, Chinese modern history, like creative staging

Don't see it if You have a real problem with acting looking like it is acted

Also I see a lot of theater and I cannot remember when I have seen a production, and I include community theater and even high school productions, so miscast as Clive Owen in the role of Rene. We need someone who can really give the impression that he is a nerd, not just talk about how he is one while projecting self confidence and a debonair attitude. Rene did not project as real to me--it appeared as if Owen was someone else who was trying to act the role. Given the seriousness of the story, and that it was based on a true story with which I am very familiar, this was very annoying.
However, Jin Ha was terrific, especially for an ingenue, and to a large extent made up for Irvine's poor acting. The story, while in some ways very different than the true story, was exceptionally compelling. I hope to see this again towards the end of the run and see if Irvine improves or if they bring in another lead which may be necessary
Staging was very creative in spite of a small scenery mishap... Read more Read less

See it if You like musicals and satire

Don't see it if You want serious theater; you dislike gratuitous sex

Also I suppose it takes a real expert to make a musical with serious things to say. In this it is a young man trying to find his purpose in life . I thought there was something missing somehow--although the people I was with loved it. I was a little uncomfortable with the very graphic, although puppet, sex... Read more Read less

See it if You like small town period dramas naturalism good acting

Don't see it if You do not like slow moving dramas about small towns.

See it if You like shows about mother daughter relationships--shows about women rebelling from traditional roles

Don't see it if You have a problem with pro-life views as well as prochoice views being expressed

Also I do not believe that any reviewers here discussed the elephant in the room in this show--the effect of post abortion trauma. This show is really about the effect of abortion and its psychological aftermath on three generations--It is quirky but well acted and mostly believable... Read more Read less

See it if You like shows about love triangles

Don't see it if You dislike portrayal of gay relationships, male nudity, foul language, strobe lights and non judgemental treatment of drug use and drinkin

See it if You like musicals that make a social and political point as well as psychologically complex

Don't see it if You have a problem with mediocre dance (partially because of the small stage) You do not like political themes or seeing them simplified.

Also The set director did the best he/she could with the set given the small space but because of the dance and different scenes this play needs a larger stage--if they wanted to be in midtown low budget maybe they could have considered a high school stage and auditorium. Although every effort was made to make the characters three dimensional given
the constraints of the musical format and the time limits of the play these were definitely constraints. There were places where I felt it was unrealistic like Jandahar shooting the boy in the foot but I suspect in the Afghan cultural context this might be more realistic. Both the effect of so called foreign aid projects and the issue of the male child prostitutes were explored and these are important topics that one usually does not see in theater... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in the problems faced by disabled people and their carers. The point of the show is that everyone is disabled in some wa

Don't see it if You are uncomfortable with disabled people and their issues. You are uncomfortable about plays about the homeless.

Also There was no explicit nudity (although they may have been careful because there was a high school group in the audience) but there were a couple of scenes that discussed and implied sexuality. I would have liked more of a back story of the homeless female home attendant who may or may not have been a Princeton grad but that probably would have detracted from the focus of the play.... Read more Read less

See it if If you are interested in the immigrant experience and different cultures, interested in 1970s US culture, like creative set design

Don't see it if If you have no interest in the immigrant experience or African culture

Also Very well acted especially when one realizes that the main character plays a completely different personality completely believably in the next play Her Portmanteau. I would have liked more info as to why the main charactere handed over her child. This was explained in her Portmanteau but was touched over too lightly her.
Through a rotating circular set they made great use of a small stage area and immediate scene changes... Read more Read less

See it if You like great immersive sets, thoughtful musicals, interested in gay history

Don't see it if You do not like gay themed shows,

Also I thought this was much better than Kinky Boots and with some tweaking could probably run on Broadway. It was almost as thoughtful and had almost as much character development two recent non musicals that were similar thematically, The Nance and Casa Valentina which I loved so much I saw both twice. This type of character development is unusual for a musical which at the same time had humor.
Problems? One of the leads was an understudy and he seemed to be acting, as opposed to real, but the script compensated so it was not that big a deal; the programs which gave some important background were not distributed until after the show; (this is the second time I have experienced this in recent weeks), if one does not know much about the historical gay scene it might be difficult to understand some of the jokes... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy historical dramedy

Don't see it if You have no interest in historical politics

Also Yes, this is dated but that is the purpose of Metropolitan Playhouse. It is very interesting to see the political concerns immediately after WWII and how things differ, for ex. the political clout of labor, and how things are the same, for ex interest group politics and how political campaigns are run.
Also for its time very feminist not only in that it approved of women influencing campaigns and running for Congress but that it showed a semi "open" marriage with both parties having affairs. (Play was judgemental about this but forgiving).
As usual at Metropolitan Playhouse acting was great in spite of several minor flubs of lines at my performance... Read more Read less

See it if You like good acting; you like melodrama (which here was meant to be symbolic) with a historical backdrop

Don't see it if You do not like fictionalized history, and this history was fictionalized into a preposterous story, you dislike melodrama

Also This show wanted to say some serious things about war and the role of women but the fictionalized history of the bombing of Hiroshima with the survival of Allied soldiers in a foxhole detracted from it. So did the family melodrama.

It was also disconcerting to have the grandmother as a caricature although she played an important part in the plot, while the rest of the actors were being naturalistic, at least most of the time

It takes a lot of skill to combine symbolism with naturalism and this play did not quite pull it off.

The child actress was amazing although at the end she too was saying symbolic things rather than acting like a child.... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in gay parenting and child abuse issues

Don't see it if You are not interested in gay parenting and child abuse issues

Also As someone who has been a caseworker in family court there is nothing unrealistic about this show. Social workers, to cover themselves, have to pull a kid if there is an accusation of sexual abuse and ask questions later. This show says some important things.

Acting of the female lead was a little uneven.... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in the emotions of young people on the verge of adulthood. You like great acting and very clever staging

Don't see it if You are expecting the show to be about the problems of African immigrants--this is not that show

See it if You are interested in Black gay life; the life of young people without families who come out of the foster care system

Don't see it if You like dance to be done on a full stage, lines that you cannot hear bother you a lot, dislike acting that seems acted

Also This could be a great play but it needs work on the timing, better transitions between moods; the fact that the lead at the end could forgive and indeed could contemplate a romantic relationship with someone who set up (to be killed) his lover seems unbelievable. Some lines were inaudible. Some (not all) of the acting seemed acted.
However it tells an important story... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in a realistic depiction of mental illness and a concise but nuanced version of the Me Too situation in theater

Don't see it if You are uncomfortable with real depictions of mental illness. You are sick of hearing about Me Too situations although this is nuanced

Also I agree with Daniel K and I do not know why this show is being reviewed so badly when I believe with some tweaking the show could be Broadway or off Broadway material and in fact won an award award at the Midtown theater festival last year.
Perhaps the depiction of the mentally ill doctor made people uncomfortable. As a psychiatric nurse I do not believe that this portrayal was unrealistic" and I know of situations where doctors ended up as patients in state hospitals. The codependent relationship Antonia had with Charles was also realistically portrayed..
The acting of the twink (Journigan) was uneven and did not always seem real nor did the chemistry between Charles and his twink, but given the script Journigan had a difficult task; he had to portray a person who was very conflicted and ambivalent on several different fronts as well as portray two other characters when he portrayed an auditioning and rehearsing actor. I felt that the play needed to be fleshed out, not tightened.... Read more Read less

See it if If you like cabaret style pieces. You are interested in seeing works about lesbians

Don't see it if Songs and script with some very explicit description of lesbian sex upset you. Some themes in the show have been explored before

Also It was unclear to me how much of this show was true, especially about Solidor's personality, and how much of this was just speculation. The theme was that her personality was really Sunset Boulevard, the aging star who is washed up but refuses to see the reality, but was this really so?

I would have been more interested in the political context, especially the history and details as to why Solidor was declared a traitor after WWII and was forced to leave France. Why specifically did this happen and what did she do after she was exiled? How did she return to France?... Read more Read less

See it if You like Glenda Jackson

Don't see it if You resent caricatures of elderly people with Alzheimer's. The theme of being able to see oneself though time doesn't interest you

Also I am a nurse who has worked with many chronically ill elderly and people with Alzheimer's dementia. Glenda Jackson was well acted for what she did but I resented the over the top characterization of people with Alzheimer's although this might be a fault of the script. I personally do not like disabled people being caricatured or their disabilities being sources of humor and there was a lot of this here.

Emotional issues with husband and son could be fleshed out more instead of focusing on sex... Read more Read less

See it if You like shows about women's empowerment and like some over the top satire

Don't see it if You dislike shows that want to make a political/psychological statement or a tired of the women's empowerment enhancing self esteem theme

Also At first I was a little confused about the combination of naturalism and satire. Sometimes it was difficult to know if the actors were portraying real characters or a symbolic stereotype but the plot twist at the end pulled it together.
The satires of academics and the self esteem movement were very clever... Read more Read less

See it if Well acted. See if you are interested in problems of immigrants and assimilation

Don't see it if You have problems with resentful main characters who are flawed

Also This show was about the problems of class mobility as much as the assimilation of immigrants and with just slight tweaking the same story could be told of a working class family of non immigrants trying to make it into the middle class. I felt some things should have been explained more especially with regard to the Saina character--especially why she was so involved in Islam and more importantly why for someone raised in England, in the end her view of gender roles was still so traditional
I did not have a problem with the main character bouncing between assimilation and radicalism. He became radicalized when he felt that doors were still closed to him even as he tried to assimilate. This internal psychological conflict was the theme of the play.... Read more Read less

See it if Interested in modern African life and culture

Don't see it if Want light fare. This is about a woman suffering from post traumatic stress disorder years after she beaten and raped as a young woman.

Also As a psychiatric nurse I am always interested in how mental illness and psychological trauma is portrayed in theater and this is pretty accurate although the part of the story about a woman who is a best selling author after only 15 years in the US and some of that as a student, is not.
I saw this with a Ghanian who was disappointed that there was not more African music, African accents etc However, I do not see how the African accents could be thicker and the dialogue still understood by an American audience. More music would probably have distracted from the seriousness of the play. It could probably have benefited from a larger stage but that is at a premium in Manhattan... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in how the political/economic/cultural environment might affect inerracial relationships

Don't see it if You have a problem with characters moving from naturalism to symbolism. Are these guys portraying real people or are they meant to be types

Also One problem was that the characters kept vacillating from being real natural characters to just mouthpieces for ideas or symbols of different "types". When the characters were being natural I wondered "Why are these all revelations now? Wouldn't these issues (refusing to be a "bottom" having children, wanting to be a dancer, etc.) be discussed before the wedding?
It was disconcerting.
The other issue was that the "symbolic" dancing needed a full stage and two people who could really dance. I know The Tank was supplying the space for free but they really needed a larger stage. Maybe a high school auditorium if they wanted to stay in midtown.
I am very excited by movement theater but this was a disappointment.
This play could be saved by having the dancers separate than the "natural" actors and maybe have the dancers say some of the more politically polemical lines. Thus we could see how the symbolic and political environment affects the actual relationship... Read more Read less

See it if You like period pieces and shows about relationships

Don't see it if You do not like period pieces, shows about relationships all conversation, and English accents

Also After giving it some thought I believe that Priestly may have written this to sound encouraging to people during the Great Depression and the very beginning of WWII. The moral that we are and are living currently everything we were and felt and experienced from what we consider to have been from before but in reality is also now could be of real comfort to everyone in England, not just the play's characters, during a time when many believed that life was at its lowest ebb, financially, politically, and emotionally. What an interesting take on the theory of relativity!!
Once I got used to the English accents I thought that the acting was great. Yes some of the characters were symbolic of different strains of political or social thought at that time or represented cultural types but they were all played with depth and realism and the set was very original and relevant. I cannot understand why some are reviewing this poorly... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in modern gay history, gay relationships. If you like the gay type of humor, self deprecatory, waspish, "bitchy"

Don't see it if You consider anonymous, unrequested sex rape and are offended that it is treated with humor although this was only one too long scene.

Also Perhaps because it was compressed, the fast switching, especially in the last act, between the humor to the serious dialogue, was so disconcerting that in some places I could not even follow the dialogue
The character of David, as a vulnerable kid with a lot of bravado, was not developed well and he became basically a device for witty one liners.
Nevertheless I found the show very moving thanks to Michael Urie and plan to see it again.
I used to work in child support enforcement and saw this all the time; people, like Arnold, returning to selfish manipulative jerks and dragging kids into the mess. A poignant story because it is all too real. We all hope for a happy ending this time even when we, like Arnold, know better
I saw it again on 12/8. Pacing was better. David better developed There was also a happier ending; it seemed less likely that Arnold would return to Ed but would just keep him as a poignant memory. Arnold was more empowered even as he was grieving... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy period dramas and are interested in life among the upper class in the early twentieth century who are struggling with social chan

Don't see it if You dislike melodrama. This play tries to combine social satire with standard melodrama and it really does not work although Fitch devotes

Also With regard to the satire/melodrama divide Fitch tries to devote the first act to satire and the second two acts primarily to the melodrama but it still does not work too well. Although he tries to deal with topics that were a edgy for their day, for ex. married people's feelings for others and divorce as well as hypocrisy concerning "society" and financial ethics overall the melodrama seemed way over the top by today's standard.
I'm sure it had a lot more relevance given the culture of the theater goers at the turn of the century where one's reputation among small groups of people determined one's entire future.
Perhaps if the angst of the son in law was fleshed out more he would not seem like such a characature.
Given the limitations of the script the acting was quite good.
Although I enjoyed the social history aspect describing a culture that reminded me of the way of life described in my grandmother's 1920s copy of Emily Posts' book on etiquette .I could not relate... Read more Read less

See it if You like period dramas about changing times and cultures

Don't see it if You dislike period dramas stories about women's oppression in society

See it if Reviewing A Fist Full of Cake A Pocketful of Miracles You like well acted comedy on gay themes Very witty dialogue.

Don't see it if You do not like shows speaking frankly, although somewhat stereotyped, about gay relationships

Also As usual discusses issues concerning fidelity in gay relationships and the tension between the ideology of total freedom v feelings causes. Spoofs the gay dating scene in an original and funny way... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in the problems of minority young people

Don't see it if You want light entertainment

Also Great acting although maybe a little stereotyped although the playwright did try to avoid it by making everyone middle class or higher. The show was about how even middle class Black young men face rage and stereotyping
The ending was a little didactic and I was dissatisfied that there was no real resolution to the plot (I like closure) Maybe the author will do a sequel... Read more Read less

See it if You like plays about relationships between intelligent middle aged people

Don't see it if You do not like plays about gay relationships

Also I have seen a lot of plays about gay relationships and this is one of the best. It is realistic but perhaps I liked it so much because it's main theme was not a story about young or youngish people or people confused about sexual identity or preference, or an ongoing love triangle theme or any combination thereof but instead about two mature well meaning adults who have already had crises of maturity and are of roughly the same social class in a real equalitarian relationship. In addition athough neither main character appeared to have a lot of real relationship experience they always treated each other with emotional intelligence. Real grownups. As someone almost 60 I can relate. I also liked the fact that the interracial couple was handled without comment which is how it would be in most Northeastern Universities today. Acting was great and the lack of scenery was actually a plus because it could help us focus on the actors. Play was well paced. Dialogue was witty but real... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in the effect of the economy on people and their relationships. You like shows that are primarily conversation

Don't see it if You have problems watching drunk or cynical young people.

Also I do not understand why this show received such bad reviews. I thought it was well acted and if not pure naturalism set up a pretty realistic scenario. I came from an elite college and know someone like Miranda (although not as bitter). I also know others who believe and act as the other female lead It clearly points out the dilemma of young people raised though advertising and TV to believe that one can do anything and have anything and the reality of life that requires compromises and a lot of conformity
It has all the right elements of good dramedy--the eternal conflict of self v society with some growth by the end For me, the acting was believable including the depiction of the emotionally sado/masochistic relationship between Miranda and her boyfriend Miranda using her boyfriend as the punching bag for her anger and boyfriend accepting it because he felt that he needed to be punished or put in his place... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in immigrant cultures and the immigrant experience

Don't see it if Conversational dramas that focus on relationships and especially people coming to terms with hurts of the past bore you

Also This play was pretty good but far less creative than Sojourners especially in regard to characterization and staging (but again, it was about different issues) I saw them on the same day in order. I felt that it needed more work shopping. It seemed a little unrealistic that a woman who had difficulty affording immigration and lawyers' fees would be able to pull off the promise that ends the play--that she would be able to buy her daughter a house in the US while she still had to support her in Africa and had a mentally ill husband. (I do not consider this a spoiler because the play rests on the relationships between the characters; not the plot) Perhaps she could add more plays to the cycle about what happened after the mother's promise... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in gay relationships and history You liked Papa Woof, Daddy Hot and similar shows you like Fierstein

Don't see it if You dislike seeing things about gay relationships, you dislike shows with monologues of people reminiscing