Admissions

See it if You like shows about topical controversial subjects. Extraordinary writing! Excellent acting! A real conversation starter!

Don't see it if You’re looking for a fluffy piece of theatre that you won’t have to think about.

See it if neatly shows how liberal abandons affirm action principles where affects son's admission chances; hilarious teen tirades by Ben Edelman

Don't see it if broad liberal self flagellation, cartoonish characters; does not make you rethink premises about affirm action

Also Obvious pun: "Admissions" stands for gaining entrance to school and revelations about characters' true convictions. SPOILER ALERT: Dilemma's unsubtly set up when admissions officer who's spent career promoting affirm action at her private school finds that her son fails to gain early admission 2 Yale while an arguably less qualified 1/2 black schoolmate gets in. This is classic liberal dilemma where abstract principles are tested by individual sacrifice. Most interesting: 2 hilariously teen-agerly tirades by her son played by Ben Edelman who first rails against affirm action by arguing it has been manipulated by many to get unfair advantage and then tests his parents' resolve by insisting on going to community college/using $ saved for affirm action scholarship; naturally they fail the test. Problem: play portrays dilemma in almost cartoonish terms rather than showing subtleties of public ethics vs. private self-interest.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a very thought-provoking play and an exciting performance by Ben Edelman. Excellent production in every way.

Don't see it if You don't want to think about difficult issues and if you don't like plays that consist of people talking and arguing with each other.

Also I am a big fan of the playwright Josh Harmon. (Bad Jews is one of my favorite plays.) So I "had" to see Admissions and was glad that I did.... Read more Read less

See it if you like plays dealing with diversity and using an all-white cast!! Seems like a lot of the satire is aimed at LCT's audience.

Don't see it if plays about diversity make you uncomfortable.

See it if you enjoy a very intense drama about conflicts liberals face. Diversity is good but what if it affects your child's chance at Yale?

Don't see it if you like comedy without a serious subject.

Also Great acting. I enjoyed this play of Joshua Harmon more than his Bad Jews and Significant Others. Wonderful conflicts of interest involved and thought provoking situations.... Read more Read less

See it if You like plays about privilege, the upper middle class views re: affirmative action & college admissions. Ben Edelman is great as the son.

Don't see it if You are offended by anti-liberal thoughts spoken out loud. Believe that Ivy League schools have a level playing field.

See it if Drama/comedy about who gets admitted to college, who gets the job, etc. Lots to think about. Great acting especially the older aide.

Don't see it if Lengthy monologue by the son goes on & on & on. Boring to sit through that 15 minute monologue.

See it if you like plays with a satirical edge that examine the gap between ideals and behavior or if you want to see an impressive young actor.

Don't see it if you don't like plays about social issues.

Also Ben Edelman's 15-minute rant is breathtaking.

See it if you are interested in school diversity, mixed messages, parental hypocricy. Jessica Hecht is excellent as mother and head of admissions.

Don't see it if Bizarre that a play about diversity has an all white cast playing to an all white audience. Interesting enough, but needs more depth.

See it if you're interested in a timely play about affirmative action which cleverly exposes a lot of hypocrisy. Great acting—dramatic and funny.

Don't see it if the idea of an affirmative action play with an entirely white cast is too off-putting for you or you don't like long ranting monologues.

See it if You like it when plays tackle subjects in an unconventional way

Don't see it if You are not interested in learning about how politics and race come into play with college admissions

Also If you really like acting this is the play for you. Make sure you see it on a professional stage. If a community theater tried to pull this off it would just not work because you need really good actors to make this piece work... Read more Read less

See it if you like wordy plays that discuss important issues.Focuses upon racism, white privilege.Shows what happens when ideals have personal impact

Don't see it if you don't like "talky" shows.Staging is awkward.There's a lot of overacting. BUT it has an important message and is well worth seeing.

See it if A theme relevant to our times. Asks a lot of hard questions about white privilege, causing its audience to question their own motives.

Don't see it if A little obvious and strident in parts.

See it if you want to see a play that is incredibly relevant that makes you question your own preexisting notions of race and privilege.

Don't see it if you're looking for an upbeat comedy–this play challenges you and makes you truly think.

Also I would highly recommend this play to anyone following current events who wants to see something that resonates strongly in this cultural moment. Jessica Hecht is giving an incredibly nuanced, complex performance.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy seeing relevant drama about race/gender/sexuality issues. Great performances, Jessica Hecht shines

Don't see it if plays that require you to think and don't come to a clear conclusion are what you like

See it if You want a solid thoughtful play with good acting. Twists and turns you don't see coming. Funny and serious.

Don't see it if You want fluff. This play deals with relevant issues of the day. A bit repetitious ... a minor flaw in an excellent play.

Also Play is revolves around a smart white kid who gets rejected from Yale while his not as smart and less qualified black friend gets accepted.... Read more Read less

See it if an investigation into diversity, racism, and privilege--through the lens of a mainly-white, New England Prep. School--piques your interest.

Don't see it if unwilling to forgive moments of skewed logic that appear to further (rather than lessen) racism; dislike intense, intermission-less dramas.

Also How to discuss diversity meaningfully without slipping down the dangerous slope of stereotypy, racism, discrimination, & prejudice? Admissions encourages such vital questions through an elite New England Preparatory School’s striving to appeal to minorities. What follows is a volleying from raw truths to uncomfortably inadequate resolutions to the uncertain tensions about how it is possible for someone with good intentions to go so astray. It’s also a prescient view into a future where, ultimately, white male privilege exists and propagates because of connections to white, privileged people. Is it an unsettling play at times? Yes. Does it sometimes fail to showcase more open-mindedness (yes—especially since nonwhite characters are nonexistent, those mentioned never seen). But the performers’ dedicated, sometimes neurotic acting and play’s movement between positive decisions and ludicrous assumptions, from haunting realities to darkly comic truths, are sure to keep you thinking deeply.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy the relevance of a play like Disgrace, about current issues which gives voice to both sides of an issue. Ben Edelman is a STAR!!!

Don't see it if like me, you find Jessica Hecht boring as an actress, or if you can open yourself up to the other side of an issue.

See it if Want an intelligent discussion about diversity, etc. - nothing is clear-cut.

Don't see it if you have no interest in "current" situations in the world

See it if you want to see an incisive play about race relations, white guilt, and affirmative action in the wealthy echelons of America (prep schools)

Don't see it if a white playwright preaching to a white audience about the necessity of more diverse voices strikes you as inappropriate or hypocritical.

See it if a wonderful cast in a somewhat predictable play that is deeply routed in NYC ideas of liberalism and privilege is of interest.

Don't see it if you have no patience for another story about the struggles of a family with the problems only the entitled consider problems can have.

Also Ben Edelman as the teenage son trying to live the values his parents espouse is amazing. Makes you laugh, makes you think but we have seen better writing on this subject before. Needs a few less cliches. Too many stereotypes rather than finely developed characters.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to hear one-sided discussions on race

Don't see it if talking about race makes you uncomfortable.

See it if you enjoy argument plays where the ideas come from fully-formed characters and not just the playwright's ego

Don't see it if you need a specific message/takeaway or to have questions answered rather than just asked

See it if you're interested in how affirmative action affects individuals, families, and relationships; you like dramas with humorous moments

Don't see it if you don't enjoy comedy-dramas that deal with affirmative action issues; you don't have the patience for a lengthy tirade

See it if You think you are a liberal with no prejudice. You will be surprised and enlightened.

Don't see it if You don't want to feel uncomfortable.