A Life

See it if you like quirky shows that really move you, touch you in a subtle quiet way that is beautiful and a little unsettling at the same time.

Don't see it if you need a straightforward plot. At one point I was lightly crying because I was so moved and I heard the person behind say "This is weird".

See it if you enjoy a magnificent David Hyde Pierce for 25 minutes or so.

Don't see it if you do not have Mr Pierce for the rest of the show. Maybe this is an attempt (perhaps) to define the meaning of life.

See it if you want to see David Hyde Pierce deliver a potent opening monologue about the complexities of being an aging, single gay man in Manhattan.

Don't see it if you seek any meaning from this meandering, dull nothingburger. Spoiler alert: Life has no meaning. Here today, gone tomorrow. Live for today

See it if you want something unexpected, enjoy stories of gay men maneuvering through NYC, fan of David Hyde Pierce, like ballsy staging and plot

Don't see it if you've had it with stories of gay men, don't like unexpected twists that come earlier than expected, saddened by scenes of abject loneliness

See it if /4 brilliant sustained opening monologue by David Hyde Pierce re life's inadequacies; master class breaking the fourth wall; inventive set

Don't see it if /SPOILER ALERT: after DHP unexpectedly dies, some will be bored as play clinically shows ritual 4 how society deals w death/life goes on

Also A Life in some way is the antithesis of Our Town which movingly shows how every moment on earth is sacred and profound. A Life unsentimentally shows that post-death the world moves forward with little changed. Set changes illustrate inexorable movement of life to death as one set is mechanically transformed into the next.... Read more Read less

See it if To see David Hyde Pierce. He was very good. It was interesting but many would not like it.

Don't see it if I would not really recommend this play to anyone. the first part of the play is charming, the second part is totally weird and disturbing

Also Weird and disturbing could be fine, but the second half was also extremely slow and a little boring to watch although the strangeness of the situation kept you interested.... Read more Read less

See it if you are a fan of David Hyde Pierce. Better yet, wait to see him in "Hello, Dolly". Otherwise, stay away from this deadly dull play.

Don't see it if you're smart.

Also Why this play has had so many extensions is beyond me. There is a lot of wasted time on it—and it only runs for 90 minutes. However, the set is really interesting. That is the most positive thing I can say about this disaster.... Read more Read less

See it if You like realism & the actor speaks directly to the audience laying his emotions bare;David Hyde Pierce;twists and turns

Don't see it if You dislike sad plots about real life occurrences; You dislike long monologues

Also This story is about people who live alone.
If you recently broke up after a long time relationship and are still very sad about it, you may want to skip this one. It is not a feel happy experience.
It really had my emotions in turmoil. I liked it a lot - the writing and acting are terrific!!... Read more Read less

See it if The set is extraordinary, in a way I've never seen before. David Hyde Pierce is mesmerizing. This show really made me think.

Don't see it if It all doesn't add up to much. I was left with, but what's the point? And thought maybe there wasn't much of one at all.

Also I won't reveal the shocking twist, but it is indeed a shocker. Daring and bold.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy unusual approaches to ordinary life stories and if you are a fan of David Hyde Pierce.

Don't see it if you are homophobic or you could not stand long silences, an empty stage or tension originating from periods of inactivity.

See it if you liked The Flick or a similar real-time like play. I won't spoil anything, but the set is INCREDIBLE.

Don't see it if you're bored by slow-moving dramas that have ambiguous meanings/endings.

See it if you don't want to miss a great opening dialogue performed beautifully by David Hyde Pierce.

Don't see it if you like plays with easy resolution or if you shy away from discussions of death.

See it if You want to enjoy David Hyde Pierce describing the protagonist's small and ordinary life in a most humane and appealing way. From there...

Don't see it if ..the play takes unexpected turns. Is this life banal? Yes, but that's what make it relatable. And they told my dad's favorite/morbid joke.

See it if you like David Hyde Pierce who is incredible. This play is different, edgy, creative and sometimes confusing. Memorable experience.

Don't see it if you want easy to understand plays. If you are not interested in death and the soul that lives beyond. If moments of silence bother you.

Also Only 85 minutes; first half is better than second half which kinda goes astray. David Hyde not really in second half which is disappointing because he is sooo good.... Read more Read less

See it if You have 90 minutes to spare for the most intense use of that time. This play is still resounded within me, and there is something for you.

Don't see it if You need everything to tie up at the end in a logical bow, or if you can't commit the mental energy for this provocative piece.

Also Admittedly, David Hyde Pierce, who is so likeable it should be illegal, handles this piece beautifully, and frankly, in the hands of someone not as skilled with delivery and poignancy, it would not be as impactful. This play does not "add up" in the usual way of Act I plus Act II equals satisfying ending. Rather, it lingers in your soul like a beautiful melody and winds itself around your heart until you face some of the truths within it that are within yourself.... Read more Read less

See it if You like charming plays that also make you think about life and love. Great acting along with writing that brings characters to life.

Don't see it if You want spectacle or "drama." Here, you get a man recounting his lovers and reflecting on his life - inspiring audience self-reflection.

Also Fascinating use of sets to illuminate story.

See it if You are interested in a show that strikes right to the heart of many the fears of a single person in NY. A little slow but still riveting.

Don't see it if You don't like introspective shows or examinations of the procedures involved in handling a death.

See it if You like theater that challenges you and enjoy David Hyde Pierce. His performance is intense and well done. Brad Heberlee is great too.

Don't see it if You need a fast moving plot. This play often felt incredibly slow.

See it if you enjoy slow plays that give you time to think about (and savor) what's happening.

Don't see it if you dislike plays with minimal action, even if the scarcity of action is critical to the play's theme.

See it if you're a David Hyde Pierce fan. He is wonderful and his opening monologue is truly amazing.

Don't see it if you expect theater to be filled with action-packed scenes.

See it if you like ambitious (in both content and form) plays that leave you with a lot to think about.

Don't see it if you don't like anything remotely experimental and can't be left with unresolved points or more questions than you came in with.

See it if You want to see something you've never seen before. A strange, wonderful play.

Don't see it if You want light, fluffy theater. You're going to end up discussing this.

See it if you like serious, deliberately paced plays that will take you to places you never expected.

Don't see it if you are impatient with plays that start very slow and initially seem to be going nowhere.

See it if you enjoy shows that like Full Metal Jacket, start as one type of show and morphs into another. Comedy becomes tragedy in shocking fashion

Don't see it if you are expecting like hearted entertainment, which it starts as. It becomes a gut-punch. Intense and disturbing (thought provoking)

Also The amiability of David Hyde Pierce !becomes second to the abrupt and alarming change in tenor of the show. It isn't a bad thing, but it does have you going WTF am I watching! You cant even trust the set to behave normally. A whole hearted recommend, but don't expect to be humming show tunes when you exit. This show stays with you!!!... Read more Read less

See it if you are very mellow and patient, & love David Hyde Pierce/Brad Heberlee (both v talented). An unadorned snapshot of a(n uninteresting) life.

Don't see it if you are restless, easily bored, or want something to happen. Skip if you've lost someone recently: stark presentation of death.