20th Century Blues

See it if you are of a certain age. The performance just hit home with us It looked back at many common threads in our life and was right on target

Don't see it if you only need TODAY.

See it if you want to feel like you're watching A Very Special Episode of a 90s sitcom.

Don't see it if you're frustrated by plays that should be essays--just a platform for the author's musings, at the expense of plot and character.

See it if you are woman of a certain age; you enjoy those "very special episodes" of network sitcoms.

Don't see it if you can't relate to the issues of aging women & can't tolerate cliched, self-indulgent & largely inconsequential conversation between them..

See it if Despite the valiant efforts of a talented cast, dramedy is a tedious retreat of later-day feminism Mann's lifeless direction doesn't help

Don't see it if Miller whips up every late 20th century women's issue only to leave each one unexplored & undeveloped Viewer is left frustrated and bored

See it if you've hit retirement age, or would like a taste of the fears & joys of this generation, still feeling vital but knowing it can't last.

Don't see it if the thought of anything older than disco makes your skin crawl.

Also I confess: I am a guy who is about the age of the 4 core women characters in this play, a group of friends that has known each other for 40 years. Before I saw the play I was afraid I would find it sentimental. I did not, though it is full of sentiment, as the situation forces all the characters to assess their pasts & their present relationships. All 4 of these characters have their quirks, & their spiky moments: none is easy, nor has had a fully easy life. And the playwright brings into the world of the play for short stretches one character's aged mother, & fully adult son. They serve to put a little perspective on the generation in focus, & add a lot of texture to all the retrospection, & to pull the 4 central characters out of themselves & their long-term relationship so that their generation can be seen in a much longer arc of history & humanity. And the acting is top-notch! It really is a treat to see mature women with great acting chops given the opportunity to use them!... Read more Read less

See it if you're a boomer wondering where life went or what happened to societal change, enjoy reunion plots, the occasional joint and requisite dance

Don't see it if you're worried about the perils of aging, the loss of friends, expect plot and action, can't abide lengthy humorless stretches or PC moments

Also A group of female boomer friends reunite for an annual photo and just chat though its not nearly as interesting as one of Richard Nelson's gatherings. The topics are typical of many friends' gatherings of that certain age (myself included) but there are no new reactions or ideas to think about. Some of it is embarrassing such as the mandatory dance which lasts all of four minutes or the sudden appearance of a joint. The playwright includes modern touches such as framing this within TED talk and throwing in at the end a 20-something son who is just so hip to everything. I guess this also frames the main character (a delightful Polly Draper) as a member of the sandwich generation sort of, her dementia-ridden mother is also
a character, and there is an African-American member of the group.Nice to see Draper, Ellen Parker and the others back on stage.... Read more Read less

See it if You want a play about women of a certain age discussing their lives & issues. You want a mix of humor & heart.

Don't see it if You want a play with something new to say about older women. You want womens' lives & issues dealt w/in depth:felt like a checklist.

See it if you’ve never seen a play before. It will be to your benefit that you have nothing to compare this to.

Don't see it if you prefer a focused script and dynamic performances.

Also When you try to say everything, you say nothing. That’s the first problem with this play. It meanders between topics, from aging and dying, to homosexuality, to transgender issues, to politics, to issues of beauty and self worth, to adoption, etc., etc., etc. You name it, this play covers it in 100 minutes. Also, the performances are muted. The actors barely speak above their normal “indoor voices” while arguing. I also didn’t feel the chemistry between them that’s required for a group of friends who have been together for 40 years.... Read more Read less

See it if The acting was good although Polly Draper's character seemed very artificial and it was hard to see how she fit with the other women.

Don't see it if It's a play about women talking about their 40 years of friendship. If that doesn't appeal to you, don't see it!

Also 95 minutes with no intermission.
I loved the set. It's one of the best I've seen this fall.
It was fun to see Kathryn Grody. She seemed so natural and funny.
I was not bored while watching the play but I'm not sure it added up to much at all. Serious topics were addressed but seemed tacked on.... Read more Read less

See it if I like this show, for it tells of four women who are friends for years. it about life. Subject about aging too.

Don't see it if Its as No singing, dance, just talking, about life.

See it if you like feminism or a fan of "THIRTYSOMETHING" from the eighties. Really wanted to like this. Alas.

Don't see it if you want the actors to connect with each other or mind actors onstage in their sixties.

See it if You enjoy slow paced shows lamenting the earlier lives of a group of female friends.

Don't see it if You are looking for a fast paced witty contemporary comedy. There are humorous moments but the nostalgic feeling got boring after a short ti

See it if you are interested in seeing some excellent design work by Beowulf Boritt &Jeff Croiter. Otherwise there is nothing to recommend.

Don't see it if you have other options.

Also What is the "subplot" involving Danny's mother and son doing in this play?It sheds light on absolutely nothing.... Read more Read less

See it if You'd enjoy hearing a good group of friends talk about their friendship, getting older, their deepest thoughts, and see them dance too!

Don't see it if You can't relate to the hopes & fears of everyday people.

See it if You are a baby boomer who is nostalgic about long time friendships, and changing family dynamics. Anyone who has a heart and emotions.

Don't see it if You expect action-packed scenes. Dislike talky plays about women’s friendships. Cannot sit for 90 minutes.

Also As a female baby boomer, I thoroughly related to this play. The actors portray 4 strong women who have been friends over 40 years.
The casting is spot on. There is also a side story about one of the women dealing with a mother with dementia.
Anyone who has a friend or loved one in this age group can relate. A great play for all.... Read more Read less

See it if You’re interested in changes in life for three three generations.

Don't see it if If you’re looking for bright and breezy

See it if you like ensemble plays about women and relationships, with a great set, set in the right this minute.

Don't see it if you want a piece that packs an emotional punch or you have a problem with some rather artificial elements-the TED talk conceit doesn't work.

See it if you are a woman of a certain age or would enjoy seeing different characters' experiences and how they handle it.

Don't see it if you have no interest in women issues, or ageism, or how a variety of women may handle the "after" years in their lives.

See it if You are interested in watching 3 women who are friends, no drama, no one upmanship. A demented mother and adopted son seeking bio mom.

Don't see it if Well, no drama. There doesn't seem to be any risk, nothing much uncovered, but well done.

See it if a show about a 40 year friendship between 4 women discussing relationships, aging, appearances & life in general. Good set.

Don't see it if you expect a fast moving piece. The talk, while at times intelligent, often drags.

See it if Glut of female baby boomer topics (aging parents/menopause/forced retirement/loss of youth & looks) covered w/o any depth. Talky, cliched.

Don't see it if I'm the target demographic & wanted to identify, but found it shallow & disappointing. I didn't feel any connection between the women.

See it if You want good acting and a story about older women.

Don't see it if You want new territory. Nothing exciting. Author throws in a bit of everything...lesbian-transgender-adoption-Alzheimer's-newspaper decline

Also Covers too much so ends up not about much

See it if You enjoy a view into the bonds of friendship over 40 years with 4 excellent female actors.

Don't see it if You don’t like shows about the lives of women.

See it if you would enjoy a feel good play about friendship, and the joys and sorrows of old friends who reunite annually to catch up and take a photo

Don't see it if you are not a fan of shows about friendship and how the conflicts of such can affect them.

See it if If like smart plays about smart women who deal with real issues regarding friends, success and how to balance it all.

Don't see it if You want to see something with a light touch.