An Octoroon

See it if You want to be challenged and entertained at the same time You want to see a reinterpretation done right

Don't see it if You avoid thinking and talking about race

Also The reinterpretation is about race in America today using the content of the older play as a vehicle for doing that. It begins with the voice of the author – Branden Jacobs-Jenkins commenting on his decision to reinvent the play and reflecting on what it means to be a “black” playwright writing about race in the present day United States. The play received glowing reviews from critics which it deserved:
The staging of the play at the Theater for the New Audience in Brooklyn was great and involved a surprise for audience literally hitting them with a wall of cotton. The lead performer – Austin Smith – was AMAZING and incredibly versatile as he switched from one character to another – in split seconds – at one point fighting with himself on stage. He is a relative newcomer - expect to see a lot more of him.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a truly great new American play adaptation - a totally insightful, extremely entertaining piece of theater.

Don't see it if You don't love theater.

See it if You appreciate novelty of staging and whimsy, and can excuse a bit of slowness.

Don't see it if You don't see much theater, and so something being "different" isn't all that important to you.

See it if You can!

Don't see it if See it if you can!

See it if you want just about the most astonishing, enlivening, soul-expanding, and challenging experience you could possibly have from a play

Don't see it if that sounds scary to you (actually, you should definitely see it if that sounds scary to you)

See it if you'd like a provocative treatment of race staged in a fascinating way.

Don't see it if you only want to see fluff.

See it if you like modern adaptations

Don't see it if you don't like to think about race or like a show that will stay with you.

See it if you'd like an inventive and insightful play on race relations - managing to be both heartbreakingly true and funny at the same time.

Don't see it if don't like 4th wall breaks.

See it if you like supporting new plays and new playwrights, plays exploring complex social and political issues, being made to think.

Don't see it if you don't like plays that deal with heavy subjects.

See it if You love theatre and/or just plays, but this is a very smart and relevant play that should be seen by most everyone.

Don't see it if You don't like plays and they bore you, but still, watch it, intelligence and smart commentary permeate the entire show.

See it if You want to think--about theater, about race, about humanity.

Don't see it if You want something light and fluffy.

See it if you want a modern take on a classic sensory melodrama. This show will hit you in the feels. By far the best piece of theatre I've seen yet.

Don't see it if no. There are no reasons to not want to see it.

See it if You want something that will expand the way you think and will start intense conversation after you see it

Don't see it if Are not open to different points of view from your own.

See it if you want to see diversity and wit in a gloriously original package.

Don't see it if you only watch fluffy musicals. This is big league writing.

Also Wow.

This is the kind of play that will bring people back to the theater.

Essential theater--it could not be communicated in any other medium.... Read more Read less

See it if You want theatre that will challenge your mind and make you really think about our society and its history.

Don't see it if You are sensitive to racial slurs.

See it if I loved it. It was smart, relevant, and expertly staged.

Don't see it if You can't translate the history into the modern.

See it if you love artistic, boundary-pushing theatre. Profound, but entertaining.

Don't see it if You are looking for a traditional play.

See it if you're interested in a new look on an old topic.

Don't see it if you're sensitive to racial topics.

See it if You want to see an edgy, groundbreaking show that will make you laugh but also make you think.

Don't see it if You don't want to be challenged, don't like thought provoking theater. Are foolish.