By the Way, Meet Vera Stark

See it if Biting satire of slippery identities in 1930's black Hollywood. Hilarious, surprising act 1. Brilliant start of act 2. Layers of meaning.

Don't see it if 2 1/2 hours. Angry, rambling & often annoying act 2. Vera's life & work is interpreted through the self-interest of others.

See it if u want to see Signature's take on another early Nottage play & to see glimpses of the stirring playwright she has since become.

Don't see it if u expect the bite and heft of Nottage's most successful plays; u don't want to bounce around from style-to-style, tone-to-tone for 2 1/2 hrs

See it if You enjoy clever playwrighting, genuine laughter and believable characters with a undercurrent of social justice issues

Don't see it if you don't like to think and listen to what playwrights have to say, don't like comedies with a message

See it if Act 1 hilarious 1933 screwball comedy, drives home pt that Hollywood is land of posers including those passing white; strong cast

Don't see it if Act 2 set in 2003 is a let down: blunt satire of new class of academics bloviating on role of black actors in Hollywood

Also Two aspects of show are noteworthy: (a) Act 1, Scene 1 that is part of the screwball comedy scenario shows actors running thru lines of the final scene of a movie. It's frenetic and a total hoot, as the narcissistic, leading lady bumbles through her scene. At the beginning of the Act II, Scene 1 we see a black and white film version of the same scene. The film faithfully captures the intense and often overwrought style of 1930s movies. Juxtaposing the kinetic stage presentation w the measured cinematic treatment of same material is a tour de force, underscoring how deceptive these films are. (b) [SPOILER ALERT] Shocking reveal at end that leading lady has been passing white - which parallels the octoroon character she plays in the film - & is, in fact, Vera's cousin is a clever way of emphasizing how racism in Hollywood caused blacks to disown their own identities before the Civil Rights Era. Dramaturgical note: had the reveal been earlier, this might have been a richer play.... Read more Read less

See it if Very well done, unique and surprising play. Lots to think about. Fantastic acting, I was impressed.

Don't see it if you want something short. You definitely need to stay for both acts and it is fairly long.

See it if you enjoy satiric comedy played to the hilt by good actors who play dated, stereotyped roles, with quite a lot of relish.

Don't see it if Interesting but slow, needs 1/2 hour cut - 2nd act becomes tiresome. The"panel" sharing their views of Vera are one dimensional at best.

See it if you want to see another scene-stealing performance by Heather Alicia Simms. She is proving to be indispensable in a variety of plays.

Don't see it if you want to see two enitirely different plays masquerading as one. The second act is way too long, and is in need of cutting.

Also Why didn't the Signature stage revivals of "Intimate Apparel" or "Ruined"? They are certainly better plays than "Fabulation" and "Vera Stark"?... Read more Read less

See it if A good story about a black actress who became famous playing maids on old-time Hollywood. Pleasant diversion. Funny.

Don't see it if If you’re expecting something more serious from Ms. Nottage, you might be disappointed.

See it if look at racial stereotypes & limited early acting roles of black women thru a satire of 1930s Hollywood; 1st act a screwball comedy*

Don't see it if don't want laughter with a serious subject; don't want a play that covers 70 years or a play that has multiple genres within it*

Also * The screwball comedy scenes (of their actual life) followed in 2nd act by a clip of the 'film' that the characters star in. This act also includes academics talking (70 years later)about Vera and black roles (this part can be a little tedious) & funny scenes of Vera on a talk show in 1973.
What characters had to do to get roles is thought provoking.
Also interesting about skin color nuances and opportunities or lack of them.
Lynn Nottage sprinkles in subtle lines thru the play that show a deeper connection between the 2 main characters. She is a wonderful writer.... Read more Read less

See it if Telling story of Hollywood from an African-American experience.

Don't see it if You think there is no discrimination Hollywood.

See it if you want to see a clever play (or two plays) with some great performances and much humor. There is an underlying poignancy to the piece.

Don't see it if you have no interest in the role of the black woman in film.

Also Marvelous production values: vintage movie scenes, talk show setting, great interiors.... Read more Read less

See it if well-acted revival. a slice of americana that is not often told.

Don't see it if seemed a bit long (act two) and stereotypes of academics. could be trimmed a bit.

See it if You are white and unaware of overt and covert discrimination. You are a person of color, aware of these things or unable to put into words.

Don't see it if You do not like to see our society called out for bigotry and abuse, you do not want to learn to see our movies, etc through new eyes.

See it if Fan of Lynn Nottage. Act I is a hit.

Don't see it if Act II is a miss; could have been so much more.

See it if You want to see a well written, funny play that tackles significant social issues, delivered by a great cast.

Don't see it if You don’t like comedies that make you think.

See it if you love Lynn Nottage's work; it's okay with you if a very funny play turns serious

Don't see it if a 2 hour 25 minute non-musical is too long for you; you don't want to see a play involving the struggles of black women in theater

See it if you enjoy acting and staging with a serious understory.The issue of being straight-jacketed by race/gender is still relevant and important

Don't see it if you want action and "entertainment" to carry the story. This is about the words and the relationships even though the staging is well done

See it if you like plays that deal with attitudes toward race throughout the years.

Don't see it if you prefer your shows a little more nuanced. The humor in this is played very broadly.

Also I liked the first act much better than the second, but some of the humorous parts of the first act were played so broadly that I cringed.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a great production of one of Nottage's earlier works - with great acting and a great set.

Don't see it if You're not willing to pay attention! While the first act seems light and fluffy, the dialogue holds some key facts you can't miss!!!

Also This is a wonderful revival of a fun and thought-provoking show. While the entire cast is excellent, Jessica Frances Dukes is outstanding as Vera Stark.

I saw an early preview and there was still some adjusting to do in terms of tightening it up, but it was in very good shape - just make sure you REALLY pay attention in the first act as to understand the relationship of all the characters to each other.... Read more Read less

See it if you like Lynn Nottage, if you're interested in American black pop culture, if you like great acting

Don't see it if you don't like satire

See it if one of the funniest plays i've seen. i was dead from one scene in particular. but also wonderfully written and acted and overall great

Don't see it if ...

Also the first black woman to win an oscar for best supporting actress was in 1939 (hattie mcdaniel). the next black woman to win an oscar for best supporting actress wasn't until OVER SIXTY YEARS LATER in 1990 (whoopi goldberg). heartbreaking and infuriating.... Read more Read less

See it if you care about the corruptions bred by American race politics in the entertainment industry,

Don't see it if you will be bothered by some gimmicky satire of academia that is unnecessary

See it if you like plays that look at things from a different perspective and allow you to form your own opinion.

Don't see it if you only want a rose colored world.

See it if An entertaining look at Hollywood history and its treatment of Black women along with a pointed look at those who try and explain it.

Don't see it if A look back doesn't interest you. A slower second act is not a plus.

See it if Biting screwball satire on black representation in cinema (& the arts more generally) with quite some kick.

Don't see it if The 2nd half, taking some real risks, sometimes falls flat in its sudden shifts. These are compounded by (directorial) problems in pacing.