Girl From The North Country

See it if You like a brilliant ensemble with flawless choreography, staging and a great book. Oh, and DYLAN songs with new arrangements.

Don't see it if You expect this to be just another "jukebox musical".

Also This show is Broadway ready. See it as this will sell out quickly.

See it if The poetry of Bob Dylan's music is appealing to you: How his work is brought to life through this story is once-in-a-lifetime.

Don't see it if you're put off by "play with music"-type shows that weigh story and song in equal measure. But, in all honesty, go see this.

See it if You want to see what jukebox musicals are capable of and can dare to be. Great ones, like this show, can make you re-think well-known songs.

Don't see it if Your definition of a musical includes chorus kick lines, hilarious hijinks and lots of playing out front. This show is subtle and spare.

Also I'm not a Dylan fan. Not a hater either, but I'm a bit too young to have been heavily influenced by him in my youth, and I don't much care for the sound of his voice. But those lyrics! Twyla Tharp made a travesty of his songs on Broadway years ago, and Conor McPherson has righted that horrible wrong. I love many of McPherson's plays, with their depictions of how spirits of the dead and soon-to-be gone infiltrate our daily existences. That notion carries through this show in every way, and beautifully so. Saw this show at the Old Vic last summer and was blown away. The only reason I decided to see it at the Public was to see the show in a more intimate space, and to see how McPherson would tackle this material again, having gotten to learn much from the first experience. The result is wonderful. The two acts now feel far more like one of a whole, and the transitions feel more organic. This cast is as wonderful as the UK cast, with special props to the ever-brilliant Mare Winningham.... Read more Read less

See it if Dylan’s poetry sung beautifully by engaging characters trapped in difficult time of depression era rural America. Story illuminated by music

Don't see it if Different than a typical jukebox musical, it isn’t song after song, and doesn’t focus on Dylan’s life or songwriting.

See it if You love heart-stopping Theatre with a capital T. A whole world comes alive.

Don't see it if You’re not a Dylan fan.

Also Most of the music used in the show was totally unfamiliar to me, and made me realize how little I knew of the Dylan oeuvre post – 1960s. The show was so well done that I even forgave his born-again phase.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to experience a beautifully written, produced, acted and sung snapshot of life during the Depression.

Don't see it if You want to see something light.

Also Wow this was an exquisite production. Dylan’s music provides a backdrop yet takes center stage. The story is sad yet produced with much poignancy. The song choices are wonderful; performances are so moving. I feel very lucky to have seen this. Bravo to all involved.... Read more Read less

See it if you love more intimate musicals a la Band's Visit. It helps to like Bob Dylan's music–with this show you'll hear it done in a whole new way.

Don't see it if you're expecting a traditional jukebox or bio-musical. This is more a play with music but it wows.

Also I saw this in London last fall at the Old Vic and it works so well in the Newman. Truly a stunning production. Though I thought I'd be disappointed not seeing the original London cast again, this cast is uniformly strong.... Read more Read less

See it if You like Bob Dylan's songs in different settings surrounding a strong story-line. Not a juke box musical but meaningful.

Don't see it if You like tinsel musicals with simple songs and dance routines and banal stories. This is not for you.

Also Another superb production from the Public with a very talented cast, a moving story with real characters and the careful and apposite placement of the Bob Dylan songbook. Great singing and great ensemble work.... Read more Read less

See it if It you want to see a beautiful show, with amazing singing

Don't see it if If you are looking for a comedy

Also I saw this show on the West end and had to see it again. It is beautiful. I didn’t know much bob Dylan before this show, but it doesn’t matter. The songs are arranged with a blue grass feel that is almost haunting. The setting of a boarding house during the depression let’s the story follow different characters so you get different glimpses into everyone’s life. It is an amazing show go see it and then get the cast recording because the songs are that good.... Read more Read less

See it if A beautifully conceived and performed theater piece, moving, poetic, feels classic yet original. Gorgeous arrangements of Dylan's music

Don't see it if You are put off by plays that are set in 1930s Mid-America, are not strictly realistic drama or musical theater,or that echo Wilder, Saroyan

Also Dylan's words and music are not used to tell the story so much as to express and deepen the emotion. The characters and situation are archetypal but sadly relevant to our times. Excellent cast.Saw it during previews, I'm sure it will get even better... Read more Read less

See it if you appreciate Dylan's music and you're okay with non-traditional storytelling and like beautiful singing.

Don't see it if you're looking for a "musical." This is a play with music, the music sets a tone, intention, and emotion, but does not further the plot.

Also I found this play extremely resonant and the music was gorgeous. I think people's dissatisfaction may come from missed expectations and unique genre. As explained in the program and articles in the NYTimes, this piece is hard to categorize and the music is not meant to further the plot. Unlike traditional jukebox musicals, they haven't concocted a story that inelegantly relates to the music; They use the music to externalize the characters' internal lives. This play works the way great music works-it makes you feel something. Maybe you don't relate to the exact lyrics or experience of a song, but you feel its intentions and emotions. That's what the songs in this play do-they make sense in an abstract rather than literal way. The new arrangements are magnificent but this isn't a fluffy musical.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a Depression era tale overlayed with bluesy versions of Dylan songs done by a large, excellent troupe

Don't see it if You want musical comedy, this is a drama with music

See it if you can allow story-telling to be cliche and scattered if the music, lyrics, and singing are mesmerizing; a fan of Bob Dylan's poetic work.

Don't see it if you aren't invested in Dylan's music, small-town American life post-Great Depression, or lackluster plot points that you've seen before.

Also Romantic and rustic, Girl from the North Country is Spoon River meets Our Town, brought to new life through Bob Dylan’s works acting as a pulsing heart. In truth, the writing is derivative and even melodramatic in places. The large cast is strong, especially when joining musical forces; yet, it’s difficult to invest in each figure in so little time. The beyond-the-grave narration is unnecessary: this only piece of fantasy lends too much of a “fable” feel. A portrait of Post-Depression America, via Duluth, Minnesota, GftNC’s a bit too quaint and scattered to fully register, emotion-wise, but the songs suit the era thoughtfully. This isn’t the typical upbeat musical, either: it’s a drama with humorous bits, especially from Mare Winningham, supported by Dylan’s songs. Some shifts into and out of songs are awkwardly rushed, depriving audiences time to sit in a post-song silence and absorb what was just experienced. I could’ve listened to the musical performances all night—concert-worthy.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see Bob Dylan songs beautifully sung while enhancing the characters in a Depression era play.

Don't see it if You want a tighter book. The arrangements of the song and the talented actors more than made up for some weakness in the script.

Also Mare Winnigham and Sydney James Harcourt were outstanding!

See it if You love Dylan's songs, and his logic and narrative sense. An intimate, poetic musical, it is strange and wonder-ful, with creative staging.

Don't see it if You are expecting Rodgers and Hammerstein. This is as inexplicable as a Dylan song, with elements as compelling as his best lyrics.

Also I generally do not care for musicals, but was increasingly charmed as this one unfolded. It is a bleak slice of life, with wonderfully arranged and sung songs, some you know, and some you don't... Read more Read less

See it if 20 Dylan songs, many not well known, w razor-sharp lyrics, sung by strong actor-singers, esp. Harcourt & Winningham

Don't see it if more concert than play; tales of yearning/desperation of boarding house occupants during Depression contrived but songs bring them alive

See it if you're a fan of McPherson or Dylan, like dark plays, great atmospherics, beautiful singing, seeing Dylan's work reflect on situations

Don't see it if Dark, gloomy plots are not your thing, don't need reminders of the Depression or many characters to follow, don't appreciate Dylan's music

Also Unusual vehicle, not quite a musical, more a reflection of life in the Minnesota 15 years before Dylan's birth, with the music and lyrics underscoring the plot & characters, surprising singing (who knew Mare Winningham had such a great voice?), great voice discoveries in Kimber Sprawl & Sydney James Harcourt, if one can endure the desperation of some of the characters (after all, this is a Conor McPherson play) this is an excellent evening of theater... Read more Read less

See it if I am a fan of Conor McPherson and he didn't disappoint. Incorporated Bob Dylan songs in a meaningful way without it becoming a jukebox show

Don't see it if You don't like Eugene O'Neill because it was that kind of dark subject matter but not as long as his plays.

See it if Discover the magic of Dylan's lyrics in beautiful arrangements sung by an extremely talented cast. And Mare Winningham can sing!.

Don't see it if If looking for a light upbeat musical but you will be missing out on some gorgeous arrangments and singing of Bob Dylan's lesser known songs

Also Book is a little weak espec in second act but the music and interpretations carry the show through.... Read more Read less

See it if You are a fan of Bob Dylan’s poetry/music, Set in a boarding house in the American Depression Era. Amazing cast of singer actor musicians.

Don't see it if You expect an elaborate musical production, and happy ending. Dislike profanity and sexual references. Are easily depressed.

Also This multi-talented cast is led by Sydney James Harcourt, who played Aaron Burr in Hamilton, and Mare Winningham. They lead a multi-talented ensemble cast whose voices capture the mood and tone of the Depression Era, through the use of Bob Dylan’s lyrics.
Over 15 songs are interwoven into the story, and sung by amazing voices of familiar Bwy, off-Bwy, and TV stars.
Directed and written by Conor McPherson.
Do not miss this!... Read more Read less

See it if You like the music of Bob Dylan and the serio-comic writing (more serio) of Conor McPherson.

Don't see it if You like your musicals or more so, plays with music light and fluffy.

See it if you likes themes of Americana evoked by Bob Dylan music.

Don't see it if you are not open to a show that can neither be defined as a jukebox musical or a play with music.

Also Girl from the North Country manages to be a moving evening with atmospheric set and lighting and gorgeous music, executed with precision. However, it can't help but reek of what could've been. It ultimately lacks catharsis due to its meandering, non-linear plot and music that establishes tone, not narrative.... Read more Read less

See it if Lovely renditions of Bob Dylan Songs. Good portrayals of melodramatic plot. Successfully moody. Memorable staging.

Don't see it if You like your musicals straightforward and upbeat. You don't like a rooming house approach to drama.And it's a downer.

Also This reminded me of a Saroyan play but less optimistic. A house full of stories told over a night and a day. The music never quite connected with the play. It didn't drive the plot or was fully integrated
to it, rather is created a mood and sometimes commented on it. It was if music and libretto were on two parallel but unconnected tracks.However the vocals solo and choral were terrific.
Entertaining but not satisfying. I had high hopes for this one.... Read more Read less

See it if excellent adaptation of Bob Dylan music, with an excellent ensemble cast, making Dylan's poetry more accessible & a compelling story

Don't see it if Dylan's music is not your thing, if the 50's in too dated as a context, or you expect a more fulsome plot about race/Klan activities in OK.

See it if you're interested in a very well-acted and very well-observed slice of life of a community of down-on-their-luck people.

Don't see it if you're looking for something upbeat and flashy. This is not that kind of musical.