ZTheatre

See it if You like shows that think outside the box. You like satire on today’s culture, pop culture, political correctness.

Don't see it if You’re looking for a plot heavy show with character development.

Also I have real mixed feelings on this one. The satire is sharp and biting, but the show is so overly long for no reason. It looses steam by the 3rd Act. And there are so many visual impairments for the live audience do to the streaming, it feels like your always looking around or through something to see the show.... Read more Read less

See it if You like satire, you like parody, you want a breezy show.

Don't see it if You want a show that's more than a sketch. There are absolutely funny moments, but it got old for me quickly.

See it if You like comedies. You like seeing LBGTQ characters represented.

Don't see it if You want drama. You want something you haven’t seen before.

Also A fun evening. Some great one- liners. Funny cast.

See it if You love anyone in this cast. You love old school Mamet.

Don't see it if You’re looking for a play that still feels relevant.

Also This is good production of a play that no longer feels relevant. The stakes are so low, that it feels slight. But I do think it’s a well directed/acted production.... Read more Read less

See it if You like plays that deal with people at turning points in their lives. You like seeing new works.

Don't see it if You’re looking for a a play that is surprising. While enjoyable, it does go the obvious route in both plot and character development.

See it if You like slapstick, you like farce.

Don't see it if You want a thoughtful, realistic comedy.

Also Absolutely has it’s moments of hilariousness, but overall feels poorly directed. Many moments you unsure where to look, bits stealing focus from other jokes. Cleaned up staging would have allowed the piece to breathe.... Read more Read less

See it if You like satire. You like quirky storytelling with over the top characters and breaking the 4th Wall.

Don't see it if You want a serious modern version of Hamlet.

Also While entertaining, I couldn’t help wondering “what was the point?” Our main characters journey never really materializes. The supporting characters feel like dressing. Feels more like a fun written exercise then a play.... Read more Read less

See it if You’re looking for some sweet. Something a little cliche, a little heartwarming.

Don't see it if You’re looking for something that will challenge you.

Also A sweat small play, but nothing too deep.

See it if You like absurdist theatre. You like allegories.

Don't see it if You don’t like plays that are consistently switching tone, mood, and pacing.

Also I got on board with the absurdity in the first act. But as the play plodded forward, it got messier in storytelling and staging and could never grab me back.... Read more Read less

See it if You already know and love the material. You’re a Jackman and/or Foster fan.

Don't see it if You want a production that reinvents the show.

Also An entertaining and serviceable revival of a classic. Supporting cast outshines the leading man.... Read more Read less

See it if You are a Theatre dork:) You like stories of people pursuing a career in the arts.

Don't see it if You don’t like plays that depending on you being up to date on pop culture references.

Also The first half is strong. But at the halfway mark all the scenes start to get overlong. The resolution isn’t satisfying. But there are plenty of laughs along the way.... Read more Read less

See it if You like small, slice of life plays. You like watching characters get to know one another over time.

Don't see it if You’re looking for a big flash show/plot.

Also Nicely written, acted, and directed.

See it if You like ensemble shows that use a mixture of storytelling, music, dance and poetry.

Don't see it if You want a straightforward narrative.

Also Beautiful lighting design.

See it if You are fan of the film, a fan of Crystal’s, or looking for a comedy.

Don't see it if You are looking for the next great score. The music is serviceable.

Also They did what I wish more movies turned musicals would do, use the movie as a blueprint. They moved the structure around and made changes, but the film story/them stayed in tack.... Read more Read less

See it if You really enjoy dance. You really enjoy the story.

Don't see it if You looking for a show that’s more than dance pieces to canned music.

See it if You are familiar with the play (this production holds up). You are a fan of Parker and/or Morse.

Don't see it if Stories of sexual abuse are triggering for you.

Also Beautifully staged and lit. Lovely work by the entire cast.

See it if You like the idea of an original musical based on historical events.

Don't see it if You want a plot that drives the songs.

Also Talented cast, but unfortunately there’s about 20 minutes of plot in a 2 hour 45 minute runtime. Very repetitious, even the dance numbers become so.... Read more Read less

See it if Like to seem plays about relationships between gay men.

Don't see it if You want a play that is full developed.

Also There’s very little plot. Mostly 2 characters at a time tell one another how they feel. Some fun jokes, but not enough.... Read more Read less

See it if You like baseball. You like actors in the cast. You like a play that delivers laughs and a moral.

Don't see it if You can’t tolerate sports mixed with your theatre.

Also I saw the original production, a while some a zest of the production is missing here, it’s still a solid script and well performed.... Read more Read less

See it if You like small ensemble plays. You like to support new work.

Don't see it if You are looking for a play that’s found it’s groove.

Also There are definitely things to like. Some nice performances, some good laughs.But it’s also full of cliches about exes and break ups. Also a scene or two that feel like filler to get the running time up to 75 minutes. At $30 may be worth it if you’re looking for something lite.... Read more Read less

See it if You like to see brand new plays. You like small ensemble shows.

Don't see it if You’re looking for a play that’s past the development phase.

Also I don’t take pleasure in saying this, but this script is not ready for a production. Dialogue is forced and unnatural. The characters are thinly drawn and in unrealistic circumstances having unrealistic conversations.... Read more Read less

See it if You want pure entertainment. You enjoy modern storytelling and music.

Don't see it if You want a traditional book driven musical. You don’t like concert musicals.

Also The ladies are having a great time and it’s infectious for the audience. Very entertaining.... Read more Read less

See it if You like fringe types of shows that are small casts using lots of props to tell off beat stories.

Don't see it if You want something big and flashy. Or something that takes the subject seriously.

Also Cute and fun. At about 100 minutes, it does a slit slow in the middle, but still entertaining.... Read more Read less

See it if You are looking for an original musical. You don’t mind a frank and unsettling discussion of race.

Don't see it if Racial slurs easily upset you. You want lite fair.

Also There’s a lot to like. Some great performances and musical moments. But in its current state of previews there’s an awkwardness from scene to scene. Clocking in at 2 hours and 45 minutes its still finding it’s way.... Read more Read less

See it if You love Jackson. You love musicals comprised of catalogs of music you already know.

Don't see it if You want to really examine the artist.

Also I try very hard to judge the art not the artist. The show is very choppy and clunky, trying it’s hardest to fit in all of Jackson’s hits. But the through line of “poor Michael, the perfectionist” gets old especially in the 2nd act.... Read more Read less

See it if A new play about a Jewish family living in France and dealing with anti-Semitism interests you.

Don't see it if You want a play that is light and breezy. There are moments of levity, but leans more towards a drama.

Also I saw the 3rd preview, and I hope they find ways to trim and tighten the play. The first act works quite well, but the 2nd and 3rd acts have a few scenes that run on and on, making the same point over and over. It’ll never be a 2 hour play, but currently at 3 hours and 10 minutes it feels overstuffed.... Read more Read less

See it if You want a new musical that completely original and not based on previously produced material.

Don't see it if You want a new musical that fully realized.

Also I really appreciated that this something new and different and took chances. Unfortunately, it’s so fragmented and slow, I can’t recommend it. Not enough of a plot to propel the action forward.... Read more Read less

See it if A drama about the foreclosure of a factory in Detroit during the recession appeals to you.

Don't see it if You want fantasy or comedy.

Also Overall a nice drama. A bit slow getting to its build, could use some tightening up. Nice performances especially from the younger 2 actors.... Read more Read less

See it if You are curious how they tuned the movie into a stage musical.

Don't see it if You are excepting anything others than the “greatest hits” from the movie.

Also In my opinion, there’s no reason to turn films into stage musicals unless you have a great score. I fear this doesn’t have one. So it feels like a cliff notes version of the film with songs shoved in.... Read more Read less

See it if You like seeing older plays in a new light.

Don't see it if You’re looking for something that is going to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Also The beginning is quite static, all set up for an outcome we can see coming. But the final scene is quite powerful even though we expected it.... Read more Read less

See it if Your looking for a fun evening of storytelling.

Don't see it if You’re looking for a solo show that is a play.

Also More of a stand up routine around one specific story then a solo show. Made me laugh out loud a few times, and I’m normally a chuckler.... Read more Read less

See it if You want a simple, entertaining show. You want something you can take a teen too.

Don't see it if You want a story that isn’t very predictable. Something edgy.

Also The leading actor is very charming. Very predictable, but still enjoyable.... Read more Read less

See it if You like your comedy pitch black. You like ensemble plays.

Don't see it if You don’t want anything that will remind you of our current political climate.

Also Terrifying and yet humorous. There are some slow points (perhaps don’t need the intermission). But the cast is great and keeps it moving.... Read more Read less

See it if You love Tina Turner. You love bio-musicals.

Don't see it if You’re looking for anything deeper than a bullet point story and the hit songs.

Also I wanted to love it. I love Tina Turner. But the story telling is so messy. And some of the numbers feel shoehorned in. Performances were great, and kept me engaged.... Read more Read less

See it if You like quirky musicals. A fan of Victoria Clark’s work.

Don't see it if You want big production numbers. You don’t like quirky.

Also I saw the original play, and that may have hampered my feelings on this. I enjoyed most of the music, but I’m not sold that it enhances the original material.still overall enjoyable.... Read more Read less

See it if You like your comedy dark…pitch black. You like theatre that thinks outside the box.

Don't see it if You want a traditional play. You want a narrative and characters interacting. You are turned off by stories dealing with suicide.

Also It’s a bit slow to begin, but the middle really hums along. Unfortunately slows down at end again.... Read more Read less

See it if You already know and like the musical. You like small chamber musicals.

Don't see it if You want something lite. You want big production numbers. Gunshots bother you.

Also Several nice performances. The show itself is engaging at times, but other times is slow. But I feel that’s a problem with the show in general, not this specific production.... Read more Read less

See it if You would like small ensemble (4 actors) in a comedy about the television industry.

Don't see it if You want something big. You want a drama

Also Funny. A good time. Well acted and written.

See it if You can’t getting enough of the Princess Diana story.

Don't see it if You’re expecting anything more than a paint by numbers telling of her story.

Also The cast is game and trying, but the book is so messy and lyrics are really lackluster.... Read more Read less

See it if You like seeing brand new plays or are a fan of Aduba.

Don't see it if You want a play that’s worked out all the kinks. Still feels like it finding itself.

Also Aduba is fantastic and play comes alive when she is front and center. But when she isn’t it feels lost. The casting is uneven with Cephas Jones & Donovan playing realistic humans and Salazar & Young playing over the top cartoons.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoyed Jocelyn Bioh’s previous play “School Girls”.

Don't see it if You’re looking for something edgy or a dark comedy.

Also I much preferred “School Girls”. This is cute, but elicits more smiles then laughs.... Read more Read less

See it if You like see new musicals. You’re a fan of David Hyde Pierce.

Don't see it if You want a score that will stay in your head after you leave.

Also This material just didn’t musical-ize for me. Very little character exploration past the surface. We never get a scene where the main characters really get to know each other or explain why they take a quick liking to one another.... Read more Read less

See it if You like sung through musicals. You like musicals about flawed characters.

Don't see it if You prefer lite entertainment. Don’t like sung through musicals.

Also The story is small, but still very entertaining. Lovely performances all around.... Read more Read less

See it if You like non traditional story telling. Plays that mix dialogue, monologues, music, and poetry.

Don't see it if You prefer plays with a linear plot and character development.

Also A bit of a slow start. The middle 30-40 minutes are very good. I prefer more linear storytelling, but still find moments thought provoking.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy informative shows that present in audiobook style. You have an interest in banking.

Don't see it if You like traditional narratives and dialogue between characters.

Also This play is for a very specific audience. It’s very well staged, designed, and acted. But for me, the history being told in this very bookish manner couldn’t hold my attention for it’s 3 hour plus runtime.... Read more Read less

See it if If you are looking for a fluffy comedy.

Don't see it if You want something challenging.

Also The script is very obvious in both plot and jokes.

See it if You’re open to new insights on an old show.

Don't see it if You don’t feel like shows should be tinkered with.

Also The direction is the star. Smart and intelligent and interesting slant on Bobbie and friends. A few numbers don’t pop as well and some gags need tightening, but extremely enjoyable.... Read more Read less

See it if You like gritty dramas about families struggling with money and trust.

Don't see it if You don’t want to see a realistic portrayal of a splintered family.

Also The acting is wonderful across the board. The script has some great moments, but also tends to circle itself a few times. The first act is the stronger of the two.... Read more Read less

See it if You like new musicals. You like shows that interweave times/characters/truth searching.

Don't see it if You want a new musical theatre feels fresh.

Also I had a hard time investing in the story and characters in the current storyline. They feel like a put-on devise for the story in the past. That story may have been better told in a straightforward narrative as I’m unsure who’s vision or flashback they were supposed to be since no one alive was telling them.... Read more Read less

See it if You’re a fan of Lett’s previous work. You like ensemble plays.

Don't see it if You don’t like your comedy dark.

Also There’s some great stuff here. And the ending is powerful. But there’s maybe one/two too many characters. And because we spend time with all of them, it slows down what we are really getting to. And then the ending feels rushed.... Read more Read less