Fireflies
Closed 1h 40m
Fireflies
79

Fireflies NYC Reviews and Tickets

79%
(169 Ratings)
Positive
87%
Mixed
11%
Negative
2%
Members say
Great acting, Absorbing, Thought-provoking, Relevant, Ambitious

About the Show

In this world premiere from Atlantic Theater Company, somewhere in the Jim Crow South, the sky is on fire. "Fireflies" is the second part of Donja R. Love's trilogy that began with "Sugar in Our Wounds."

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Show-Score Member Reviews (169)

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468 Reviews | 190 Followers
90
Grippingly and emotionally resonant, Thoughtful, A satisfying blend of humor, seriousness, magical realism, and history, Intelligent writing, Helmed by a talented acting duo

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. Read more

231 Reviews | 36 Followers
89
Great acting, Great staging, Relevant

See it if you want to see exceptional acting by DeWanda Wise. She has fire and backbone and can cry and preach on pitch. She is worth the price.

Don't see it if are not sympathetic to the black cause for freedom and equal rights. Don't see it if you do not find sermons to your liking. Read more

50 Reviews | 12 Followers
89
Absorbing, Great acting, Intelligent, Relevant, Thought-provoking

See it if You like well-acted relevant drama that goes in unexpected directions.

Don't see it if You don’t like two- handers or are looking for light fare.

106 Reviews | 26 Followers
87
Masterful, Great staging, Great acting, Enchanting, Romantic

See it if you are ready for a slow burn, it pulls you in and you are in 1963, engrossed in what seems to be a romantic drama,but then things change.

Don't see it if you are sleepy like the older gentleman next to me who was snoring, you have to drink your coffee before seeing it. Its a charming play.

314 Reviews | 186 Followers
86
Ambitious, Great acting, Great staging, Epic, Profound

See it if Powerful authentic duet, esp the actress; efficient staging and sound effects; family & Christianity theme, with surprising LGBTQ line under

Don't see it if “Christianity vs GAYness” discussion; A construction work happening next door which was disturbing, but they paused the show and fixed it;

248 Reviews | 66 Followers
85
Absorbing, Ambitious, Great acting, Intelligent, Relevant

See it if You want to see two terrific performances that, while portraying simply drawn characters, made these characters extraordinary. Simple story.

Don't see it if You’re looking for action, comedy, a large cast, or something more than well done off-Broadway theater. This is a small work that enthralls. Read more

169 Reviews | 72 Followers
85
Absorbing, Great acting, Great writing, Relevant, Must see

See it if You want to see great acting,a dramatic story about marriage,racism,black movement, abortion, deception and double life in the 60’s in south

Don't see it if You are subjects above bothers or does not interest you. Read more

245 Reviews | 37 Followers
84
Absorbing, Clever, Enchanting, Must see, Profound

See it if You want to see very talented actors talk about civil rights bombings and fear tactics. Also explores many of their flaws.Kept your interest

Don't see it if You do not like drama or heavy topics. You do like death, infidelity, addiction or dark topics.

Critic Reviews (21)

New York Theater
October 19th, 2018

“For all the pile-up of sorrows for the characters, audiences themselves can find some joy in the production of 'Fireflies'...thanks to the lyrical design and especially to the splendid performances...The abrupt climax offers what feels like one tragedy too many, and too quickly, without preparing the audience, or allowing us to share in the reaction...Still, the two performers manage to grab our attention, and keep our sympathy.”
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Broadway Blog
October 20th, 2018

"An overwrought domestic drama…The characters leap from emotional highs to emotional lows, arguing fiercely one minute, dancing erotically the next...Too often, the scenes seem more about themselves than their connection to what comes before and after. Similarly, Love's mingling of lyrical and naturalistic language occasionally misfires, with some speeches too enthralled with evangelical purple platitudes. Most disturbing is the clumsy exposition."
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Stage Left
October 22nd, 2018

“Love’s work seeks to fill in an otherwise erased history, giving unheralded people of color the dignity of their stories...Wise offers a staggering performance, ferocious and captivating...The language is sweeping and lyrical, but the plot is too thick with action and issues for two characters to explore in 90 minutes...This results in several wild dramatic swings and a bluntly gratuitous closing monologue that explains the central metaphor of the play’s title...Nevertheless painful and sad.”
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W
October 21st, 2018

"This is a compelling premise for a play, but it's buried under a mountain of melodrama...'Fireflies,' the second in a three-part look at black, gay relationships in history, also clumsily wrestles with domestic abuse, homophobia, misogyny, abortion, alcoholism and infidelity...Very quickly, it devolves into a soap opera. Yet both Wise and Davis give grounded, heartbreaking performances. I can't wait to see them together, but in another production."
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Broad Street Review
October 22nd, 2018

"Few mainstream plays have centered the experience of a black queer woman, much less one depicted with such clarity.​..Ali’s direction can sometimes seem needlessly arch, particularly for a play that deals so heavily in symbolism and lyrical, rhythmic language...The pacing sometimes slackens as the play moves toward its affecting denouement. But nothing can dim Love’s singular voice. I hope to see work from this talented native son on local stages in the near future."
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