Enrico IV, A monologue

See it if you like to see an actor give a tour-de-force performance in an original edition of a well-known play

Don't see it if you have trouble concentrating on words

See it if for the amazing acting performance of Rocco Sisto. His transitions from mad to sane and back again are so controlled and clever.

Don't see it if you haven't read/seen the full play by Pirandello. I arrived early enough to read the synopsis in the program which helped a lot.

See it if You want to see an actor excel in his performance! Kudos to Rocco Sisto!!!

Don't see it if You are looking for mere entertainment, flash lights, explosions and a corus of 30 tap dancers ;)!

See it if Rocco Sisto is superb, He alone got the 90 score. The complexity of Pirandello’s play is driven by Erico’s madness and his responses to

Don't see it if you do not like psychological plays

Also others. I did not find the monologue sufficient to illustrate the juxtaposition of many of Erico’s psychotic states and the moment of lucidity when he takes revenge upon the person who caused his accident.... Read more Read less

See it if you agree we’re all mad here; you’re interested in textual experiments that result in fresh looks at established characters

Don't see it if you’ll feel cheated by hearing only 1 character’s perspective out of context from the larger play, dislike spare solo shows, or missing info

Also Sisto has serious stage presence and one of those regal, reverberating, Jeremy Irons voices that drip with gravitas. I couldn’t help but hang on every word. Clever observations on performing identity & constructing reality.

A really interesting concept in action: the director pulled only Enrico’s lines from Pirandello’s play and consolidated them into a monologue. Even though I didn’t know the play or historical figure the results of this distillation seemed revelatory. I would see more characters reimagined this way—Hamlet, Rosalind, Lear... Reading the program notes is critical, though. At a minimum the information will permit you to relax a bit when the story gets confusing.

Without foils or full context the character arc is a little ambiguous. It did make me think the complete play must be even richer & more varied. But all together Sisto commands attention, the writing has depth, and the concept works well.... Read more Read less

See it if You would enjoy a monologue by a gifted actor. You're a fan of Pirandello's work.

Don't see it if You have difficulty using your imagination. Dislike single performer shows with minimal sets.

See it if You are a fan of Rocco Sisto and are familiar with the Pirandello play, Rocco is brilliant but it helps to know the play

Don't see it if You don't like monolog format or don't know the original . You'll be lost.

Also The Cherry Lane must be having issues with the upstairs neighbors . At first I thought it was a basketball game and then realized it was construction . Totally distracting . Not fair to actors or audience .... Read more Read less

See it if Sisto's bravado performance in this rarely seen Pirandello drama is reason enough to go His riveting work holds attention throughout

Don't see it if Adaption strips all characters except thru Enrico's responces to them Often causes confusion & loss of focus but enforces delusional quality

See it if you are interested in English translation and adaptation of a portion of a 20th Century Italian play referencing an historical Italian king.

Don't see it if you are tired, easily bored, or generally dislike a one-man monologue with minimal staging, costume and action. Must read playbill pre-show.

See it if you are interested in seeing a fine actor tackle the words of a great playwright.

Don't see it if you expect to see the play. This monologue is confusing and unsatisfying despite the skill of the actor.

See it if You're intimately familiar with the original play and want to see an attempted rework.

Don't see it if You expect a coherent and engaging experience.

Also This is a valiant effort that unfortunately fails in most regards. The play rewritten to be a monologue; the program notes contain the play synopsis and it's a mandatory read if you want to make any sense of what's going on on the stage. The end result is still excruciatingly confusing and rather dull despite fairly competent acting.... Read more Read less