Centering on a group of young revolutionaries, Second Stage's new, 1969-set drama is a play about means and ends, ideals and extremes, and the perils of changing the world. More…
Against the backdrop of an endless, unwinnable war raging halfway across the world, and a polarizing president recklessly stoking the flames of racist backlash at home – a generation of young people rises up to demand change from a corrupt political establishment. It is October, 1969 and unbeknownst to the rest of the world, three 20-something radicals are busy planning the impending revolution from a quiet college town in Upstate New York. But when two strangers appear, disrupting the group’s delicate balance, new dangers and old wounds threaten to tear the collective apart. Written by Steven Levenson, the Tony Award-winning writer of "Dear Evan Hansen."
See it if You have memories of or want an idea of what it was like to live as a passionate youth during the turbulent Vietnam War era.
Don't see it if You don’t like to be reminded that there were (and are) reasons to be angry with the way our country is being run.
Also I liked this show a lot. A good representation of how passionate (most... Read more Read less
See it if An interesting show despite an unremarkable story. Levenson’s script stars and performances are solid. Went by quickly.
Don't see it if You don’t like shows about the Vietnam era or can’t relate to the blind naïveté of youth.
See it if Levenson's tries hard to capture 60's idealism (against current climate??) & falls short Cullman's rapid-shot direction masks script's flaws
Don't see it if Tonally dissonant as it often seems to mock the sincerity it professes to advocate Acidly captures the privilege of entitled white revolt
See it if you want to hear a terrific playlist of late 1960s whiteboy rock played at high decibel level between dozens of punchy but uneven scenes.
Don't see it if you were hoping for cogent political analysis of an admittedly confusing era in US society.
Also Over the past few years I’ve seen several plays that consist of very s... Read more Read less
See it if An anti-war collective of drop-outs has a reckoning when their own perish.Trip Cullman's edgy direction. Tavi Gevinsson's heiress is great.
Don't see it if Casual bomb detonation talk. Polyamorous relationships. Bi-level shifting stage.
See it if Worth seeing for the young cast. The set is fantastic. One of those two story sets with lots going on.
Don't see it if you don't want to see a play about radicals in the 1960s. Ultimately doesn't really work or make sense, but entertaining.
Also Spoiler alert: This play had a great line -- "A toothpaste heiress, wh... Read more Read less
See it if You want to hear a bunch of young performers ramble about their political beliefs and talk of bombings and killings they hope to do.
Don't see it if You hate deafening scene change music. You're seated towards front since bilevel set. You hate shows that keep repeating the same thing.
See it if you like large stage sets.
Don't see it if Lots of repetitious talk, little drama and tension; the portrayals are no more than caricatures; story poorly told and ineffective.
Also I concur with Theatermania's description of "overproduced and underwhe... Read more Read less
See it if You want to see something that takes place in 1969 but is very relevant today.
Don't see it if You’re not interested in seeing a different perspective on the way some people may have behaved during the protests of the Vietnam war
Also Overall I really enjoyed everything about this play. The acting was gr... Read more Read less
See it if You want to watch naive characters who think they are smart run around for 90min. Occasionally funny and smart. Interesting slice of life.
Don't see it if You want a story that has actual substance. Interesting characters in a boring story that felt forced.
See it if you like well acted plays about the '60's.However, do NOT sit in front 4 rows.It's a 2 level set with no concern for sight lines.
Don't see it if Set is WAY over-designed.You don't need 2 levels or a set that moves forward.Also overwritten.Points are made early."Surprises" are obvious
See it if you're interested in plays about youth getting caught up in messy personal relationships and dangerous politics.
Don't see it if you not interested in plays about ideology, activism, growing up and young people getting in over their heads. Good play, but not great.
See it if For your Lauren Patten cycle. If you like Steven Levenson. If you have no memory of a fraught time in US history.
Don't see it if You want any meat on these bones. You are not interested in activism-lite.
Also I actually knew people like these in my youth. I didn't like them any ... Read more Read less
See it if you enjoy historically based pieces on the 60's protest movement with energized, albeit naive students.
Don't see it if trite predictable endings are appalling. The story rolls off the edge of the precipice they bring you to.
See it if interested in the counterculture's reaction to the Viet Nam war. Potential not completely realized, but holds interest, nonetheless.
Don't see it if it bothers you that you're not always convinced by the stated motivations of all the characters & what the playwright is trying to say.
See it if Attempt at revisiting 60’s protest era gets the details right but not the heart. But happy to see a young audience & they loved it.
Don't see it if If you want the truth of that movement you won’t find it here. Shrill acting, shallow characterizations. Plot reveal is contrived.
See it if a fan of the cast, desirous of returning to late-1960s anti-war ideologies, or want a fast 90-minute work that will hold your attention.
Don't see it if seeking a perfectly-crafted play; over “teen-angst” shows; or disturbed by violence, sexuality, drug-use, and some brief backside nudity.
Also Idealistic desires to do more launch a quintet into tenuous personal a... Read more Read less
See it if you are interested in youth rebellion, political issues in the 1960's, excellent acting and interesting characters.
Don't see it if you are bothered by characterizations that are complex but are given a somewhat flawed treatment, making them not quite believable.
See it if The line between idealistically fighting for what's right and a extremist terrorism via among young white people, but this could be anyone.
Don't see it if Political theory jargon go over your head. Young white people "saving" people of color annoy you. Gun/shots are triggering.
Also Ticket from online rush via TodayTix for $27.50. Seat was row J on the... Read more Read less
See it if Wish for a glimpse inside the minds of 70s revolutionaries - naive people
Don't see it if A bit self-absorbed characters and situation.
See it if you have an interest in Vietnam war counter culture stories. it was an interesting look at figures that probably existed during that time.
Don't see it if you need to relate to the characters you are watching or if you don't like choppy, episodic plays
Also For me this play was not a total loss. It held my interest throughout,... Read more Read less
See it if you like plays of disaffected youths complaining or stories about protesting the Vietnam War.
Don't see it if you need characters with much substance or if you like plays to have points and a clear point of view.
See it if you might be interested in what went on behind closed doors as young, rather naive students attempted revolution in 1969
Don't see it if you have seen better plays on the subject. This one doesn't have much to add.
Also I was a student in the 60s, the same age of the characters in this pla... Read more Read less
See it if You believe in a cause, and want that level of commitment in characters, want great acting, want to remember the misguided beliefs of youth.
Don't see it if You’re looking for a complete story, or need a nice tidy ending, hate politics, hated your youth and all your beliefs. Great performances.
See it if you want to see what Levenson does when he isn't crafting a good book musical; for some good performances; for a tiny bit of nostalgia
Don't see it if you have any respect for or real memory of the era, expect insights or a new perspective.
Also Really disappointing. Such a misinterpretation of the people and the h... Read more Read less