Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope (NY City Center)

See it if Talent galore. A super cast than can dance and sing with the best. Tis a shame that none have made the aigic breakthrough yet. 75 minutes

Don't see it if For some the 75 minutes is too short. Rarity: Partner & I agree at 90%. Lack of a continuous story. Be aware that it is Encores Off Center

See it if rousing portrait 1971 black America post-MLK; high spirited, witty choreography; strong cast w powerful voices, sizzlin' dancing

Don't see it if this is a review, not an integrated musical; dated "Laugh In" routine, campy Black Panthers/still relevant 2 today's Black Lives Matter

See it if you are interested in seeing this lost musical from the early 1970's. You probably won't have the chance to see it again.

Don't see it if you do like strong book musicals. This is more of a revue—a potpourri of Grant's songs.

See it if you like amazing singing, great dancing, and a show that is sadly relevant. I long for the day when we look back at this show & can't relate

Don't see it if you want a story with a beginning & end.This is sung through and has no real plot.Very moving exploration of black culture in our racist USA

See it if Gospel-tinged revue of songs of black experience. James T. Lane singing "My Name Is Man" was devastating

Don't see it if Savion Glover's dances were excellent. Aisha de Haas and Wayne Pretlow were stunning singers. The show packs an emotional wallop.

Also The Lobby Project pre-show was well worth seeing.

See it if you're interested in stories about the African American experience with great music and singing. So ambitious and impressive for Encores.

Don't see it if you prefer musicals with traditional showtunes. The music is more soul, R&B, and gospel.

See it if interested in a 1970's musical detailing the joys & struggles of the African American community during the civil rights era told thru music.

Don't see it if you prefer a through story line. It's a series of many styles of music (gospel, jazz, blues, rock, funk even Calypso) all expertly performed

Also Savion Glover's staging & choreography perfectly suit the material. Not overly flashy, just right.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a great cast superbly directed and choreographed by the terrific Savion Glover.

Don't see it if you are looking for a book musical.

Also Saw the original in 1972 and this far surpasses it in every way.

See it if and only if you were feeling nostalgic for something very 1972 in style and temperament. This show has all that and nothing more.

Don't see it if you saw the 1972 production and were expecting some 2019 twist to the production because it truly is a museum piece by every measure.

Also BE AWARE that this production has made revisions to this landmark piece of work that do NOT make it brighter or more brilliant but instead dull and blase^.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see an amazing sung-through show with a superb all-POC cast. Like gospel, blues, Caribbean music.

Don't see it if You dislike sung-through musicals. Want a musical that has a strong emotional pull.

Also "It's a statement piece."

-Aisha de Haas

That it is. And that statement is supported by an amazing score, solid direction, and some truly mind-blowing voices.

The first notable mention has to be the band. Anastasia Victory's music direction is breathtaking. Her stamp on the show's music is clear. The whole band is amazing but Michael Mitchell, the pianist/conductor, is a standout.

The entire cast is brimming with talent but Aisha de Haas has the highlight of show, a piece that features only her voice and Mitchell's dynamic piano prowess.

Wayne Pretlow also showcases his seemingly endless reserve of high C's.

For me personally, the only shortcoming of the show is that due to its conceptual, rather than fixed-character drive, nature I never felt completely emotionally pulled into the show.

PS: If you are a musician, you have to check this out. Required reading. There's so much to love in this show, musically speaking.... Read more Read less

See it if a masterful ensemble dazzle in ballads and all-encompassing group sing and dance numbers; Glover shows great intelligence in staging

Don't see it if Tap is only of many tools despite Glover participation; truly an ensemble show without generally known stars

See it if You like good singing and dancing, especially gospel music and tap.

Don't see it if If you want a storyline and need to hear the lyrics of the songs.

See it if You want to see a perfectly pleasurable non-book musical that feels very much of the 1970s and a cast with lovely voices.

Don't see it if You want something that feels complete or current—at barely 75 minutes and feeling all of its 40+ years of age, it lacks urgency/dynamism.

See it if You love creative dancing and singing, want to see talented artists at their best, enjoy gospel/soul music, want to be wowed!

Don't see it if You dislike musicals, want to be bored, don't like to feel emotions, want to stay home and watch TV.

See it if Fabulous singing breathing new life into updated oldie but goodie.Encores on a winning streak. A must see if it transfers.

Don't see it if If don't like Encores minimal staging & format. Encores performances at City Center usually terrific, if not outstanding.

See it if the message is more important to you than the entertainment value.

Don't see it if you have fond memories of the original '70s production (which I enjoyed). I recall it being much more fun & less strident than this version.

Also This was really disappointing to me as the original was the 1st show I ever saw on Bway. While time can play tricks with memories, it had to have been entertaining enuf for a white teenage boy to be enchanted enuf to go back to the theatre again & again over the next 45 years. That early '70s production had exciting performances & a musical beat, but this version has seemingly been stripped of most of it's excitement. Even the tunes are presented more blandly. Much of the humor is gone -- which may be appropriate for a show that deals with racism that's still prevalent today -- but it's not fun to watch (which it was back then). At least to a boy from the burbs, it was easy to be won over by the talent on stage then. Now, it's just a reminder that we as a country haven't progressed very far.... Read more Read less

See it if you like cabaret style shows.

Don't see it if Want to be moved.

See it if you love when great music, great direction, and great choreography come together in a timely show with meaning and heart.

Don't see it if you need elaborate sets or storyline to move you - this gives the complexity in its simplicity in a truly moving one act.

See it if Energetic, talented cast singing and dancing. A fun evening.

Don't see it if Talented band, but their sound levels sometimes were louder than the cast's voices. Saw it Thursday, so hope the sound is leveled out.

Also I actually worked as an usher on Cope the summer of '73. I loved the original production. So I looked forward to the Encores production.
Unfortunately the show's been cut to about 75 minutes with no intermission.
I remember a beautiful dance solo that was gorgeous, and is missing from this revival.
I miss the balance between loud and quiet moments.
And of course I wanted it to be longer. It's still a joyous musical.... Read more Read less

See it if you like gospel, blues, jazz, funk, soul, tap or just great musicians, singers and energy.

Don't see it if If you need a linear story.

Also This was a celebration of black culture, with still-relevant remarks on race.

I am so happy that I got there early enough to hear the moving, spoken word, in the lobby. It was commentary from the original team and gave us insight into their motivations, and reactions to their success.

This was an abridged and modernized version for today's audience, and it was a tremendous success. The music was multi-genre and fabulous, the singing stellar, and the dancing enchanting. There was joy, sorrow, frustration and humor, all of it beautifully portrayed.

Rich in Broadway history, the original book, music and lyrics were by a young Micki Grant and it was directed by Vinnette Carroll, who was the first African-American woman to direct on Broadway. Choreographer, George Faison, was the first Afircan-American to win a Tony.

I only wish this version was a little longer, that it was in the theater longer, and the music from the new version was available for purchase.... Read more Read less

See it if choreography is amazing, some of the most beautiful songs ever . . .

Don't see it if see it

See it if you like fantastic voices, high energy movement and near 50 year content that remains relevant and poignant today.

Don't see it if you prefer shows with elaborate sets and don't want to see dance sprinkled throughout all the songs.

See it if you're interested in the black experience or enjoy a variety of musical styles.

Don't see it if you only like shows with a plot.

See it if Sensational production! The African-American experience at a turning point. All heart, soul and high energy. Savion choreography. Right on!

Don't see it if A revival, medley format, no book. 1970s period costumes nevertheless, an authentic reflection of its era.

See it if Like the staging and directing of Savion Glover, lot of toe stomping music, great singers.

Don't see it if Don't like nostalgia musical.