Charm NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (109)
See it if watching an elder trans woman try to teach young gay kids at a lgbtq center how to carry themselves would interest you.
Don't see it if this topic doesn't interest you
See it if You enjoy LGBTQ drama.
Don't see it if You DO NOT enjoy LGBTQ dramas, it's about time you did!
See it if You want to see a portrait of a heroine you haven't seen portrayed elsewhere , done with great heart
Don't see it if You have a problem with trans issues
See it if You like strong writing and strong actinyoug, and you want a play that is of the moment.
Don't see it if You don’t like plays with “current themes” or want a play that is non-liner. This is a straightforward work that’s good and entertaining.
See it if you want your empathy and your funny bone to be equally engaged
Don't see it if you are rigid.
See it if you are interested in how 2 generations can come together over common problems and issues. Ending could have been better.
Don't see it if you have any pre-conceived notions and prejudices of the LGBT community. Read more
See it if you enjoy a drama with humor and pathos. Some scenes were amusing and others very touching. Good acting and nice use of stage.
Don't see it if you don't like dialogue about gays or transgenders. You can enjoy this show just as a well done drama. Read more
See it if A moving take on young transgender people and the terrible situations that confront them. The play should be seen by those interested.
Don't see it if The subject matter bothers you and their is little sympathy for transgender, life is hard on them and they need a supporting audience.
Critic Reviews (22)
“A vibrant and totally captivating production…The story of ‘Charm’ ultimately soft-shoes around the central dilemma it raises…Whether it’s a queer person’s job to make people feel comfortable…Dawkins doesn’t quite face head-on here. He tackles plenty, though, in creating palpable character portraits…Under Will Davis’ fine direction, the ensemble becomes a sort of family you’d choose for yourself if you could; it’s almost impossible...not to fall for every one of them.”
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"Sentimental—but inspirational too...Dawkins mixes in jealousies and rivalries...Then he quickly whirls through resolutions to these problems as though they were plot points on a TV procedural. Yet, it's still great to see a story about transgender people that isn't unrelentingly depressing or sad but is instead upbeat and celebratory...'Charm' isn't a great play but, particularly in these tolerance-testing times, it's one worth seeing and cheering on."
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"Nimbly directed by Will Davis...Thanks to the commitment and pumped-up energy of the actors, you are absolutely in that classroom with the company from 'Charm’s' charged first moment...The cast are uniformly excellent...'Charm' segues quickly from an intriguing set of relatable and intractable complexities to, quite literally, a bed of roses. The earlier, loud, tougher part of 'Charm' is a more challenging, fulfilling slice of drama."
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"In a slap-dash second act, Dawkins introduces some creaky plot mechanics...That’s unfortunate, though it ultimately does not detract from the overall power of its central character—or Caldwell’s performance. 'Charm' is on sturdier ground when the focus remains on its muse, who embraces old-fashioned values as a means to survive and even thrive in a culture too often given to incivility and ugliness."
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"Dawkins’ play 'Charm' has Darleena—a black, transgender woman based on the real life Gloria Allen—teaching Emily Post’s behavioral principles to a group of feisty young people...How that’s all resolved—including a surreal visit from Emily Post herself—may be a little pat, but the play has spunk and humor and is blessed with a fine cast who devour their roles, as directed by Will Davis. Sandra Caldwell is fierce as Darleena."
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"Performed with no small amount of grit and her own significant charm by Sandra Caldwell, Mama Darlin forces lessons they never thought they needed on this rowdy group...Initially interested only in the free food, the boisterous bunch—in smashing costumes by Oana Botez that speak to their personalities better than any gender pronouns—comes to respect, even love, this remarkable teacher who refuses to give up on them."
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