1984 (MidCity Productions)

See it if You have read 1984 and are curious about how a stage adaption would work. You are wanting to see every show currently on Broadway.

Don't see it if You can't tolerate frequent extremely loud sound effects. You are looking for humor. There is very little in this horrific vision of future.

See it if You enjoy dramas that resonate with current events, or if you like small, smart productions of classic stories.

Don't see it if You want something light-hearted or fluffy, or only enjoy large, fully-staged productions.

See it if You like the novel/film. Intense and good acting, or were born in 1984- like me.

Don't see it if You're late. Flux is hard-to-find. It's obscure. Warehouse locks if even a few minutes late. Luckily, a friend of theatre had keys &I got in

See it if You enjoy longer thought pieces and a reflective material.

Don't see it if It's long and at times hard to get through. But there are a few moments when it breaks through and gives you something to reflect on

See it if you like-George Orwell-the book/film-somber plays tackling societal issues-dark thought provocking resonant material

Don't see it if you don't like-strong language-scenes of torture-dystopian society plays. you want-a lighthearted piece-drama with levity/comic relief

See it if You are interested in a stage adaptation of Orwell's work.

Don't see it if You are triggered by scenes of torture.

See it if You want to see a play that make you think about the world and how relevant this play is when the book was written in the 50s

Don't see it if You don't like to see a gloomy and depressing story when you see how it relates to the world today/ you are uncomfortable with torture scene

See it if You enjoy end of the world conspiracies or you want to know what life would be like in a distopian state.

Don't see it if You get distracted lately, need an upbeat comical theatrical experience.

See it if You like the book. Like intimate performances spaces. Enjoy drama.

Don't see it if Want a fancy theater experience. Want to see a comedy.

See it if you're interested in a new page-to-stage interpretation of 1984, reframed but textually faithful

Don't see it if you're a stickler for really strong acting

Also The racial composition of the casting was really uncomfortable - I'm not clear if it didn't occur to anyone or if they did it on purpose, but having the one black guy in rags & chains with all the white actors in roles of power in suits? Not for me.... Read more Read less

See it if you like shows overtly focused on political ideas; you like a minimalist look and strong ensemble storytelling; you love the book.

Don't see it if you need a lot of action right away; you don't like somewhat surreal story-telling devices; you like happy endings (spoiler?).

Also A clever adaptation of an unfortunately timeless story. Without giving away too much, the show blurs the line between past and present action, having the ensemble of Party Members re-enact Winston's "crimes" in a trial of sorts. It took me a bit to warm up to this framing. At first, it strained my suspension of disbelief, and the removal made it harder to feel invested-- but as the action develops, it is implied that the re-enactments are intended not just to convict Winston but as a test for the members themselves, who struggle to maintain their ideological purity while portraying forbidden acts of defiance and passion. This subtle subplot, when portrayed as it was by a strong cast with a good sense of connection to one another, not only restores a sense of immediacy, but adds an ultimately hopeful theme to a bleak story-- that the desire for freedom can never truly be quelled in the human spirit.... Read more Read less

See it if You like a sense of mystery, and literary political fiction and missed reading the amazing book.

Don't see it if You don't like ideology stuff and political oppression. This is not a light, entertaining work. It is intense and draws you in.

Also Stellar acting, loved the effective way surveillance and invasion of privacy was done with the telescreens. Winston was amazing in his reflections and his fatalistic attitude. All the actors were incredible. Go see it!!!... Read more Read less

See it if You read/enjoyed George Orwell's "1984," enjoy conspiracy/political dramas, love being in an intimate theatre environment

Don't see it if You are not into off-off-Broadway low-budget theatre and have difficulty following complex storylines

See it if you like the book, dystopic themes, and intimate spaces. The storytelling convention made this an engrossing, successful adaptation.

Don't see it if you zone out easily, get confused by multiple actors playing the same character or expect the lead to be as strong as the ensemble.

See it if you want a look at the world right now.

Don't see it if you would rather not see something quite this disturbing.

See it if You love literature

Don't see it if You're looking for high end production

See it if You enjoy dystopian genre, you enjoy Orwells work, enjoy small theatre

Don't see it if You're looking for a happy ending

See it if If acting and writing is your main concern

Don't see it if If staging is important to you.

See it if You voted for Trump!

Don't see it if You didn't vote for Trump!

See it if You're a fan of George Orwell & interested in totalitarianism, or want to compare 1940's social climate with today's.

Don't see it if You are made uneasy by discomforting scenes of social upheaval.

See it if You like intense, serious plays.

Don't see it if You want something lighthearted--this show is humorless.

See it if You feel like society is falling into a trap set by the media and government and it pisses you off.

Don't see it if You want a light-hearted, Neil Simon comedy about fluffy stuff, don't want to be challenged, and think the world is fine as it is.

See it if You are interested in shows that reflect on the situation we as humans have gotten ourselves into ALSO if love awesome acting and set design

Don't see it if you've ever said "well, if you've done nothing wrong, you've got nothing to hide from 24-7 surveillance"

See it if You like to think about the future

Don't see it if Don't like intellectual stuff

See it if You realize it's the state of the world today.

Don't see it if Ignorance is bliss.