The Seeing Place Theater presents a revival of Marsha Norman's drama about a young woman attempting to find her way after being released from prison. More…
After getting out, Arlene returns to a rundown apartment in Louisville, intent on starting over. Rebellious and disruptive growing up, she has found strength in religion and wants to put her youth behind her. But her struggle to find her way in the present (as "Arlene") is counterpointed by flashbacks of her past (as "Arlie"), with two performers inhabiting her at different periods in her life. Ultimately, the play offers no simple answers but convincingly captures someone fighting to survive against incredible odds. Playing in repertory with a revival of Eugene Ionesco's absurdist classic 'Rhinoceros.'
See it if you want a thought-provoking, if somewhat dated, early Marsha Norman play exploring the struggle of a woman coping with life after prison.
Don't see it if you are not prepared for a serious but slight (and, at times, slow-moving) drama that deals with some uncomfortable issues.
See it if you want to solve some of the problems of the world. This play makes one say What can we do to improve our prison system, Better than orig.
Don't see it if you want to leave the theater happy. The Seeing Eye Company tackles a problem and we are left to solve it
See it if You want to see a play about social issues told in an unique way. You want a play that will provoke conversation.
Don't see it if You don't want a play about social issues. You want more contemporary references. You don't like experimental theatre.
See it if you know that it is written by Marsha Norman,Pulitzer Prize winner for 'Night Mother;do not care about liking any of the characters
Don't see it if You know someone in prison or just released; expect great staging and dialogue; dislike abuse of women;hate unrequited despair
See it if You know someone in the play. The acting wasn't bad, and the actors have talent. But the play is boring and long and has no accessible arc.
Don't see it if Horribly staged for the theater. Big columns made some of the space inaccessible and they put scenes there anyways. Confusing choice.
See it if You want to acquaint yourself with a terrific company dedicated to meaningful work. Who else provides questions to spur conversation after?
Don't see it if You're looking for a fun time. This is serious work, and there is much to be gleaned from it.
See it if Thoughtful important work by an ambitious,socially responsible company interests. A flawed play in a difficult space realized by a fine cast
Don't see it if Serious drama or intent, or stage-neglected women's issues & concerns led, acted & directed by very strong, terrific female actors bore you.
See it if You want to explore built-in obstacles of someone released from prison trying to find her way to a better life.
Don't see it if You are tired of stories illustrating life struggles, with the past constantly trying to draw you back in.
See it if You like dramas that make you think.
Don't see it if You want something light and fluffy.
See it if you like slow moving shows...
Don't see it if you are easily bored...
See it if you have two and a half hours to waste on a terrible production of a mediocre play
Don't see it if you have absolutely ANYTHING else to do
See it if Ok to see to do something. Should not been a split story. Could've been told in one smooth run
Don't see it if You can do something else
See it if I can't think of a reason to see this. I left after intermission. Waste of time and money. Hated it.
Don't see it if You value your time
See it if you like your theater intimate and black-box; if you like Orange is the New Black, (but without the humor)
Don't see it if you're easily bored; if you need good character development; if you expect impeccable acting; if a lot of dialogue bothers you
See it if You enjoy A well written play performed by a great cast. The play is a little dated, but this company breathes a lot of excitement to it.
Don't see it if You don't like plays that deal with serious matters about incarceration and it's effect on women.
See it if TW: Scene of near-rape. You enjoy thought-provoking, intelligent and touching content.
Don't see it if TW: Scene of near-rape. You are disappointed by an imbalanced cast - some great performances, but also some plodding leads.
See it if You can leave after the first act
Don't see it if If you have seen Orange Is The New Black which is much more interesting
See it if You enjoy female driven shows about incarceration and issues around that in the South; if you don't mind only one cast member being talented
Don't see it if You need a show to have characters with dimension who aren't cliched, and a plot to be more than just adequate
See it if you are interested in marsha norman's early stuff or dated prison pieces. Kind of an old, less edgy, orange is the new black?
Don't see it if you need anything edgy or exciting.
See it if you want to support small, independent theatre and you don't mind confusing story-telling
Don't see it if you want to see a play that deals with relevant themes and an arc that can be followed
See it if you are really interested in the struggles of people coming out of prison and relationship drama
Don't see it if you really need a strong narrative arc in addition to an interesting premise, this is an important issue and idea, but doesn't go anywhere
See it if you want to see an early work of Marsha Norma and see how much she has improved since then.
Don't see it if If you are allergic to bad acting, little to no direction and a cliched uninteresting story.
See it if You don't expect much
Don't see it if You don't like experimental theatre. Something was missed. Actors are fine, stage-so-so, spot-I saw worse. Maybe 20 guests in the house...
See it if Like realistic drama about unpleasant subjects and rather intense scenes, with characters acting violent or disturbed.
Don't see it if You prefer lighter or comedic subject matter, are bothered by intense, unpleasant subject matter, or violence against women.
See it if Like to see work by a new theatre company...
Don't see it if You want high stakes theatre, that has a clear message and is enhanced with great acting. I found myself wanting more choices made.