Describe the Night

See it if You like well acted and staged plays. It’s long but the complex plot keeps things moving well.

Don't see it if Russian history as a backdrop would bore you or you don’t like political dramas/thrillers.

See it if Characters and events intertwine from four different periods in Russian history. Only bits of truth remain, and even those are questioned.

Don't see it if You don’t enjoy piecing together fragments of a non-linear story. Intellectually challenging with a mean villain, but not emotionally moving

See it if Epic, ambitious & talent stretching effort by Joseph to chart the reach of Stalinistic policies into modern society esp 'fake news'

Don't see it if Despite impeccible acting, drama becomes a bit turgid & slow (Sardelli's direction lacks punch) Time trevelling technique grows tedious

See it if You’d love a sprawling, epic, everything-is-connected work of historical fiction that makes you want to read more about the play’s events.

Don't see it if You dislike heady plays that bounce around between different time periods and make you feel unsure of if you’re following the plot.

See it if you like historical stories with some spices thrown in; truth or dare situations and great acting by all, especially Tina Benko.

Don't see it if you don't like long plays or political history with mystery; you don't like bits of embellishment thrown into your non fiction; poor ending.

See it if you enjoy historical dramas even if they are mixed with a pinch of fiction. A wonderful show-stealing performance by Tina Benko.

Don't see it if you can't sit still for three hours. Or if you do not like historical plays not told in chronological order.

Also A very ambitious work by Rajiv Joseph. Still needs some work, however. Danny Burstein tries his hardest to overcome an underwritten part. Zach Grenier is a bit over the top, but it, surprisingly, works. Great set design.... Read more Read less

See it if KBG spies, Polish government crashes, and a mysterious diary story-line interest you.

Don't see it if you are already overwhelmed by the Trump presidency’s connection to present day Russia.

Also WTF! I spent two hours and 45 minutes seated in a theater watching this play and I can’t even begin to tell you what the basic plot of the play is because I have no idea. I saw this play just eight hours ago and this is all I remember – Set over the course of ninety years, a Russian writer wanders the countryside, a KGB agent spies on a woman in Dresden, and a 2010 aircraft carrying most of the Polish government crashes somewhere in Russian. What do all these things have in common? I have no idea. Trust me when I say that even if you were to see this play, you WOULD NOT have any idea either. Despite the fact that this cast of actors are FULLY COMMITTED to the wacked-out characters they portray, and despite the fact that the set has been CREATIVELY CONSTRUCTED with a lot of whimsy, the play itself is in desperate need of SOMETHING. What that something is, I have no idea!... Read more Read less

See it if you are a fan of Russian historical events from the past 70 years told in stories that go back and forth in time and are all tied together.

Don't see it if you are not interested in Russian historical events or plays that go back and forth in time that can be a bit confusing & require attention.

See it if You want to see a fascinating historical drama that follows a compelling story over 90 years.

Don't see it if You are looking for something light and don't want to think

Also I enjoyed this play even more than I thought I would. The writing was brilliant, the acting was exceptional, and all the production elements from set to lighting and sound design were used cleverly and effectively. Don't be put off by the near 3-hour running time (like I almost was)...this play moves and you don't feel the time at all.... Read more Read less

See it if You like historical dramas that move back and forth in time creating an intricate puzzle. This was a complex and beautifully written play.

Don't see it if You don’t like fact and fiction blended, you don’t like themes, and leitmotifs carried forward through different acts. If 3 hrs is too long.

See it if Nuggets of interesting characters well presented, grounded in elements of history, for you might be enough to justify extended sitting.

Don't see it if Jumping back and forth repeatedly in time, and attempting to follow a not terribly coherent story does not sound like an appealing option.

See it if Excellent actors take us to & from points in Russian history that can serve as a warning for us today. An important play.

Don't see it if You have never read Russian history nor have an interest in it.

See it if You want to see a dazzling political/historical work of dramatic fiction that takes smart artistic license with historical facts

Don't see it if You don't like plays that require you to pay attention and do a little work piecing together plot points.

See it if you like historical shows based over time. See it if you like puzzling shows. It takes a patience to understand what is happening.

Don't see it if you need your plots in chronological order or if you only like fast paced shows. Very dense material.

See it if Stoppard fans rejoice. Imitation is sincerest form of flattery. Ambitious, perhaps excessively. Plenty to keep tabs on. Good wintertime play

Don't see it if A lot to chew on, but ingredients don't always blend. RJ assumes we were history/lit double majors. Direction cannot contain play's sprawl.

Also Pretty cool to sit in front row and have plastic confetti wash over you as flats come tumbling down to close Act II. It was profound intellectual immersion. At times overwhelming and confusing. Audience is really asked to work out the jigsaw puzzle whose pieces just keep hurtling forward. Impressive feat to shoehorn 90 year period into one play, however laborious for all concerned. Playwright is absolutely hard core. Benko is terrific. Always a pleasure to behold RNJ, a gorgeous, talented lady. Grenier is the glue that holds it together. Sardelli does what she can with a daunting script.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy political subject matter and are ready for a heavy night

Don't see it if You are looking for something light or looking for interesting staging - or if you are part of the Trump administration

Also Like Rajiv Joseph's other work this is heavy and historical. He has important things to say about liberty and that is worthwhile. The cast is strong but there is still something missing and I tend to think it is that the representation or the direction is just too abstract or distant. the plot is interpreting and extrapolating from real life but somehow you just don't get close enough to these characters to really be invested in them or terrified of them.
The staging had a few interesting elements but given the bleakness of the subject matter - I would have appreciated something more to interest me. Also they rip off a staging element too reminiscent of but not as creative as, the Octoroon and I think that falls flat.
The play itself is also perhaps a bit too similar to Howard Barker's "No End of Blame" - which while even more bleak - I personally enjoyed more at PTP's last performance ( also on the Atlantic stage ) - perhaps because Alex Draper was so amazing in that performance.... Read more Read less

See it if An interesting take on a period of Russian history that links the three acts.

Don't see it if You like to be spoon fed and don't like to think much

See it if you appreciate plays that grapple with big ideas and large canvases, even when they sometimes don't work; you're a fan of Rajiv Joseph

Don't see it if you prefer the emotional to the epic, or the narrative to the poetic; you don't like multigenerational tales or keeping track of characters

Also Joseph's reach here is impressive, though it exceeds his grasp. Clearly influenced by Kushner's political plays (think Slavs! or Bright Room Called Day), where Joseph falls short is in making us invest much in the characters whose lives describe the arc of modern Slavic history. Jumping from era to era over 90 years and melding dramatic modes from political cartoon to thriller to magical realism is bracing, but leaves the audience with little sustained narrative or character to hold onto through nearly three hours of stage time. It is a praiseworthy attempt, and exhilarating when it comes to life in fits and starts, but remains less than the sum of its fascinating parts.... Read more Read less

See it if you like intelligent drama that challenges you.

Don't see it if you're not up for a play that makes you work to follow it.

See it if you enjoy wonderful theatre, great staging, and acting.

Don't see it if you want a musical or a simple, linear comedy that's short.

See it if you like long, talky plays about Russia. You don't mind 2 intermissions. You like Danny Burstein, Tina Benko (the best thing about show)

Don't see it if you don't like long, serious plays about Russia. The ideas are interesting, but the writing falls short & the show is too long by an hour.

See it if you want to see an interesting portrayal of a true story with good acting and staging.

Don't see it if you want a light and funny comedy.

See it if you have loved Mr. Joseph's other works and you support the process of new plays. Also, it's always great to see Danny Burstein in ANY show!

Don't see it if long dramas turn you off or anything "period-based" isn't your cup-of-tea.

See it if you enjoy historically based stories

Don't see it if you have trouble keeping track of stories that jump back and forth in and out of time periods

See it if If you find modern Russian history absorbing. Some terrible directing and acting. Confusing and polemic. I walked out.

Don't see it if You want to be informed, entertained, or otherwise enjoy a night at the theatre.