Ghost Light (Lincoln Center Theater)

See it if you enjoy creative participatory experiences, great venues choreography and acting.

Don't see it if you need a story to link the different scenes or a semblance of a plot. A couple of scenes are not as great.

Also The timing/choreography of these actors alone is something to marvel at. Impeccable.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy immersive theater. Very cool unique experience that puts you in the middle of the action.

Don't see it if More of a theatrical 'experience' than a regular play. The story is weak & some scenes are slow & unnecessary.

Also Would have been incredible if they had a stronger story, but altogether it's a very fun experience.... Read more Read less

See it if You like brilliant experimental works in an immersive style. Best I've ever seen. Left completely blown away. Stagecraft is astounding.

Don't see it if you don't like experiemntal or immersive works. You need a clear story.

See it if you want a rare glimpse of the goings-on back-stage of a theatre... courtesy of some theatre ghosts.

Don't see it if you'll be uncomfortable w/immersive theatre, where actors interact w/you, some participation is required & you're constantly on the move.

See it if You're interested in new dramatic forms that break the 4th wall & use audience interaction & non-linear storytelling to romanticize theatre.

Don't see it if You intensely dislike all interactive theatre (e.g., Sleep No More), especially pieces that have you moving around for over two hours.

See it if you love theater. An almost magical introduction to backstage & the people who make productions possible. Some astounding characters

Don't see it if you have difficulty climbing stairs or standing for 15 minutes. This show requires active participation. Some scenes seem overly repetitive

See it if you enjoy experimental theatre, especially immersive theatre. This is an exquisite piece of theatre that lets you draw your conclusions.

Don't see it if you don't enjoy immersive theatre. Or if you don't want to be walking or standing during the course of the production.

See it if you like participatory immersive theater that takes you all over the space, including dressing rooms, the fly, backstage and hallways.

Don't see it if you need a linear story or have a problem walking, climbing stairs or perching in small spaces.

Also I really loved this. It could have used some edits, but it was a thoroughly unique and evocative time at the theater. Striking and sad stage pictures, warmly engaging cast and a slightly spooky feel. The logistics of moving the groups through all the spaces was very impressive, and it was fun to touch base after with other audience members who experienced the scenes in a different order, to compare notes.... Read more Read less

See it if you can appreciate the overall experience more than other aspects. Not much happened, but time flew by in this engaging/immersive experience

Don't see it if you're scared of some light participation, you want a clear story line or new insights, you prefer immersive theater with more 1-on-1s

See it if are adventurous about immersive theatre.

Don't see it if you only like traditional theatre.

See it if What a brilliant, immersive experience! Seamless transitions of the audience among the various spaces. I forgot about the outside world,

Don't see it if You are a first-time show seer. This may be a bit advanced.

See it if you're new to immersive theater and aren't ready for the kind that makes you really interact with the show.

Don't see it if you like the interesting, one-on-one, only you see the show that way, immersive theater.

Also This was essentially immersive theater light. There were parts that I really enjoyed, but it wasn't the experience I wanted. I was a) never alone and b) stayed with the same group (about 6 people) the whole time. When it comes to immersive theater, I like knowing that the evening was my experience and mine alone. I like talking with the actors about some weird, existential thing. I like being pulled away from the group and put into a new one. So the small parts people got to play in this were ok, but not as special as others I've seen. That being said, this is a good one to maybe try first in order to get more comfortable with the idea of immersive theater so you can go on to the more involved ones.... Read more Read less

See it if you've ever worked in a theater or like ghost stories, Borges, or Calvino. You wish Sleep No More had more talking.

Don't see it if Non-linear, non-narrative "experiences" are not your thing; you don't like dance or being separated from your buddies.

Also (mild spoilers) An intimate exploration of the Claire Tow Theater is interesting in its own right, but this is really a story about loops in (& after) life -- getting stuck in them, how they start, how they play themselves out. In addition, it's a commentary on the nature of the theatrical practice, what motivates actors, and why. That said, some of the best characters in the show are not actors at all, but janitors, ushers, and assistants.

Everyone is on their own path, and as the stories repeat and intersect, you learn more and more about the world Third Rail has built. You may have to put on Roman armor or run lines with a diva, but most you listen and try to figure out the weave. There is one room in particular with tiny scale models of the whole production and cast that is curiously illuminating.... Read more Read less

See it if you love Third Rail's work/you want to get a glimpse of the inner workings of an off-Broadway theatre/you want to try something different

Don't see it if you need a fourth wall/you don't want to move around during a production/you are looking for moving choreography

See it if You love the magic of theater an its creation and are willing to be transported into a backstage world ingeniously created here.

Don't see it if You cannot endure some repetition of themes and/or despise any audience interaction, even if appropriate and minimal.

See it if you like immersive experiences and are interested in both the romance and the mechanics of the theater.

Don't see it if you want a narrative or if you'd have trouble standing and walking for two hours.

See it if you are a fan of theater and all the things that happen behind the scenes.

Don't see it if dance/movement is not your thing (from the actors, not participants) or if you don't like being mainly on your feet for 2 hours.

See it if it's a trippy series of vignettes, most of them silly but entertaining. The astonishing achievement is the precision of the choreography.

Don't see it if for anything resembling a plot; or if you dislike: moving for each scene, standing, or interacting w the players. Goes on way too long.

See it if you love immersive theater and are a long-time participant in live theater in any capacity.

Don't see it if you don't enjoy stairs or plot-less, avante garde offerings.

Also audience logistics in this piece alone are a spectacle to behold. Certain vignettes are striking, but the entire package doesn't feel cohesive. Like the Grand Paradise before it, Ghost Light could strongly benefit from conflict and relationships between characters. Its dialogue is mostly philosophical and sadly, nonsensical. I couldn't help but imagine how viewing more developed and three-dimensional versions of the characters presented would've been a much more engaging and thrilling evening of theatre.... Read more Read less

See it if you'd like to explore the backstage of Claire Tow and always wonder about the element of superstition in theater

Don't see it if you prefer to sit down during the show

See it if you like immersive theater. This time in Lincoln Center. An unique experience.

Don't see it if you are in bad shape. You have to walk and i saw people struggling.

Also So beautiful to live an immersive play in Lincoln Center. It is incredible to see Lincoln Center open to an immersive play from the classical composers of Then She Fell and The Great Paradise. Different stories around, they split the groups. You participate in the stories. You walk in the halls, stairs, theater, backstage, cafeteria, bar, terrace, elevator. The experience is everywhere. The actor are strong and talented, they know their game.... Read more Read less

See it if environmental, immersive theatre is your thing. Game, committed performers in vignettes; sometimes interesting, sometimes embarrassing.

Don't see it if you don't like audience participation or standing, sitting, climbing stairs for two hours

Also Would've been more engaging in an old theatre, rather than the modern Clare Tow. Difficult to imagine ghosts haunting this antiseptic space.... Read more Read less

See it if You are a lover of theater! Every possible space was used in this immersive production! To experience the story of the ghost light - See it!

Don't see it if Not willing to give yourself to the imagination & creativity of this play. You will be walking up stairs, be in the dark & will take part.

See it if you're ok with atmospheric vignettes taking precedence over plot, and you don't fear a little audience participation

Don't see it if you don't want to be on your feet roaming for 2+ hours, or you're expecting a linear plot - this is no traditional affair

See it if Parts of this experience were incredible. I loved getting to be backstage at the Claire Tow. It was a fun experience, overall.

Don't see it if Parts of it didn't work for me. Some scenes seemed like filler and dragged. It felt like it kept building, but there was never any payoff.