Fireflies

See it if you're interested in race relations in South 1963. Preacher and his wife struggle as world blows up. Fine acting can't save unfocused script

Don't see it if you dislike crazy veering from funny to tragic. There's material for 5 plays in 90 mins. Focusing on 1-2 issues w have been more effective.

See it if If you want a show that goes in all directions. One that goes deep into melodrama.

Don't see it if You want a show that stays focused on what the story is about. This one goes from Gay Blacks to abortion, misogyny, a lot of other subjects.

See it if you want to see two nice performances in a melodramatic, convoluted study of an activist couple at the center of the Civil Rights Movement.

Don't see it if u want a focused story that fully fleshes out any of the myriad topics covered (racism, sexism, infidelity, lesbianism, abortion, addiction)

See it if Ambitious use of MLK's marriage as a template for 2nd drama in Love's black/queer trilogy Excellent acting (edge to DeWanda) carries evening

Don't see it if Drift towards melodrama is hastened by the weight of emotional baggage both actors carry (edge to DeWanda) Love's lush language eases load

See it if you'd enjoy two characters in a place and time deal with life, work and relationships on a well-designed set with great lighting & sound.

Don't see it if you are bothered by other's struggles and want a light, entertaining, fee-good play. This is serious drama.

See it if Resentful pregnant reverend's wife reaches breaking point in tumultuous Deep South 1963. Fresh take on lesbian adultery of another decade.

Don't see it if Discomfited conclusion. Wise's simmering performance of female resentment is the only reason for this poorly written, manipulative melodrama

See it if you enjoy a taut drama about civil rights and human relationships.

Don't see it if you expect to see a drama about civil rights movement. The story gets high jacked by failed relationship plots in the middle of the play.

Also I was so disappointed in this play. The start of the play and setting were very promising. The ending is very powerful but the larger middle part of the play gets involved in the two actors' failed personal relationships which really takes your attention from the more powerful plot of the civil rights movement. This play could have been so much better than it was.... Read more Read less

See it if Poignant tale of "lost love", current marriage & its trials & tribulations. Things get wild about halfway through. Kitchen knife etc.

Don't see it if Some beginning scenes could use some trimming as they are slow-moving.

See it if outstanding performances by the two actors who are riveting; you're interested in race relations & inner workings & failings of marriage.

Don't see it if Beautiful writing & acting but too much going on; the play starts to feel forced and laden with trials and tribulations.

See it if you are interested in young playwrights, Donja R. Love is a writer to keep your eye on. This is a stunning production!

Don't see it if you don't like historical-based plays mixed with magical realism. If you don't want to be intellectually stimulated.

See it if Like a 2-hander that attempts to explore strained marriage, race, real events, madness, infidelity, pregnancy, love, loss and MORE.

Don't see it if Want simpler story. Too much being said here in uneven script. The actors struggle w limitations of character. Too long, false endings.

See it if You love great drama and acting. Relevant especially today October 27!!!

Don't see it if You have no empathy and aren’t really interested in great theatre.

See it if you want a look at black middle class lives in the '60s.Acting is great.Play is way too wordy.Story needs to be more concise. LOONG speeches

Don't see it if you want a real look at the civil rights movement.Playwright tosses in too many side issues, strays from main subject.

See it if you enjoy new works by artists of color about this country's shameful history of racism.

Don't see it if you're looking for a tight, taut production. This is lyrical with lovely acting but it meanders a bit.

See it if Great story and acting. DeWanda Wise gives such an emotive performance—amount of tears she produced in a single performance is astounding

Don't see it if you prefer to see plays with typical characters you've come to expect. The characters here are more complex and largely omitted from history

See it if you enjoy period pieces about segregation set in the 60's. Story was moving and well acted. Great symbolism and use of metaphor.

Don't see it if uneven period pieces don't suit you. The play had too many contrivances to be totally believable.

See it if you enjoy theater that explores complex characters hidden behind the shadow of headline events.

Don't see it if you expect a storyline that is well developed. The plot is not as well drawn as the characters.

See it if Moving story set in the immediate aftermath of church bombing in Alabama; snippets of emotional church sermons being practiced.

Don't see it if Don't want deep issues portrayed Many of them - in addition to civil rights movement, also deception in marriage, abortion, queer love.

Also Some parts were a little too contrived but overall a very good story with a powerful, emotional ending.... Read more Read less

See it if a fan of playwright Donja R. Love or actors Dewanda Wise & Khris Davis, who are perfectly electric; you crave intelligent historical dramas.

Don't see it if frank talk about love, abortion, extramarital affairs, bombings, and black experience in the 1960s American South aren’t your type of play.

Also A sadly-familiar portrait of a world on fire, chillingly, Fireflies starts with news of hate-crime bombings. Part 2 of the Love Trilogy, it stands a bit in Sugar in Our Wounds’ stunning shadow. Olivia Grace (an enrapturing Dewanda Wise) is great-great granddaughter of SiOW’s Henry. Yet, on its own, Fireflies is powerfully moving. A slice of American life, it hinges upon a 1963 Southern black power couple: Reverend Charles Grace and his aforementioned wife who, for years, has covertly written his adored sermons. They worry about raising a black child in a world of segregation, uncertainty, and violence. At center are the secret, shameful lives of this couple whose clean-cut 1960s garb gets stripped away, literally and metaphorically. Fireflies is also about the power of words, writing, vision, & voice. Mostly, it laments a lack of human love in homes, on streets, and in countries: how to reclaim it? How can a collection of liberal souls—mere fireflies to flames of fear—possibly win?... Read more Read less

See it if A well acted drama composed of too many storylines. Uneven however touching at times, especially the end which tries to pull it together.

Don't see it if Do not see if you prefer light dramas or musicals.

See it if you want a show with strong emotional pull and great acting, but which takes on too many issues for so brief a play.

Don't see it if you want one strong, fully developed plot line that does not deviate with other issues. Or you don't like two character plays.

Also This show is powerful and emotional, but it flits from one issue to the next. Is this about infidelity? Is it about the rights of African Americans? Is it about rights for gay people? Is it about reproductive rights? Is it about women's rights? This play can't decide.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see an author use his considerable skills as a writer (and you should) to trick the audience to forget this is junk.

Don't see it if you require that authors respect their audiences.

Also this is a very talented author being very, very lazy. Much the play is monologue where either dialogue or the protagonist talking to herself is required.

The author has a number of very exciting topics - the civil rights movement, misogyny, spousal abuse, adultery, extreme homophobia, racism, the danger of bringing a child into the world, mental health, lesbianism in the '60s - but explores none of them. Instead he throws velcro darts at a board, hoping the audience doesn't notice and some darts stick.

He tries to destroy anything that doesn't support his queer agenda, including the leaders of the civil rights movement. Each could be a legitimate exercise, if done with some respect, but instead he has a protagonist that has significant mental health issues engaging in a fantasy lesbian relationship with a dead civil rights organizer from NY (obviously no lesbians in Birmingham). Donja R. Love fails to even support his own simplistic agenda... Read more Read less

See it if you like shows about troubled marriages, being African-American in the USA, complex characters and wonderful acting.

Don't see it if you dislike plays that deal with marital conflict, gender roles, "tortured" souls and complex human emotions.

See it if Moving experience about African-American life in 1963. Interesting twist in the plot

Don't see it if If you have an issue with gay topics.

See it if you want to see some fine acting, including real tears. Some lovely scenes.

Don't see it if you're looking for a coherent plot. Several fake endings. Even at only 90 minutes, it went on too long.