Henry VI (National Asian American Theatre Company)

See it if A non traditional Shakespearean play that has 16 members play 100 characters. Females in Male roles. Clever fight scenes.

Don't see it if If your traditionalist Shakespearean. A bit long but holds your attention.

See it if you want to see a 1st-rate company mount a riveting, lively, deft, accessible, unimposing, relevant, rewarding staging of a challenging work

Don't see it if you don't have the 6 hrs (over 2 parts) to devote, as you really should see both parts if you're going to see it at all [But it's worth it!]

Also What a revelation! A completely unpretentious & accessible production of Shakespeare's War of the Roses saga, condensed but not condescending, starring a wonderful ensemble and with an incredibly talented creative team behind the sets, costumes, choreography, and lighting. Most actors played multiple roles in gender-blind casting to mixed success, but there were some real stand-outs, incl. Rajesh Bose as the Duke of York, Jon Norman Schneider as Henry VI, Mahira Kakkar as Queen Margaret and James Seol & Mia Katigbak in multiple roles.... Read more Read less

See it if NAATCO's epic mash-up of the Henry trilogy is grandly entertaining, historically captivating & a staging triumph despite its 6 hr length

Don't see it if Doubling/tripling of actors/characters (while a necessity) is often confusing Can grow tedious w/ its war machinations but ensemble shines

See it if You want a real life Game of Thrones. You want Shakespeare by a well-trained classical cast w/simple, yet effective staging.

Don't see it if You don't like verse plays. You don't want to commit to an epic-length(6 hrs) play. You have no familiarity w/the War of the Roses.

See it if excellent performance of a great classic work interest you. The use of the stage, the clarity of pronunciation and meaning are extraordinary

Don't see it if you can't sit still for 2 hours. Seeing both parts makes for a dramatic experience but a very long day. In spite of very comfortable chairs

See it if you enjoy excellent productions of Shakespeare with terrific acting and cleverly staged fight scenes. It is very long, but holds attention.

Don't see it if you don't have the endurance for such a long play (3:10 + 2:30) or you do not like Shakespeare tragedies/history plays.

Also If you like Shakespeare go see this production. It is produced at a very high standard so please don't be put off that it's mounted by a smaller production company. This could easily be part of The Public's programming or another major theatre. The cast is also fantastic and you might recognize some of the accomplished actors who are part of the production.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a brilliant and rarely done Shakespeare play. Great acting from almost everyone. Effortless switching between roles

Don't see it if You don't want to sit for almost six hours total. It does a great job of keeping you engaged but it is a long play.

Also Completely worth the time and energy getting to the theater and sitting for both sections in the same day. All but one of the actors are truly brilliant and even the one who isn't up to par is very good. It is only noticeable next to truly phenomenal talents. Great fight scenes, astounding well done lighting and sound design. Well worth the price of admission... Read more Read less

See it if you’re a Shakespeare completist—I mean that in a good way bcz I am. Exceptionally challenging play intelligently navigated w/ few precedents

Don't see it if it’s your 1st history play; don’t want H6 compressed; prefer a probing character study to a barrage of rhetorical & physical skirmishes

Also Bose=serious star turn as Richard Plantagenet. Warwick, Gloucester, Talbot, & Clifford also stood out from dozens of great performances. Schneider plays Henry VI to a T. Cade’s rebellion unexpectedly fascinating. Not flawless: An important role is overacted; surprising cuts; Foreign Wars is more a sequence of great scenes than a build to a climax. (This is fixed in Civil Strife which sprints to a smashing finale.) But don’t miss the forest for the trees—it's a must see if you’re excited by the best plays never done.

I’ve seen histories presented w/ kid gloves to help orient audiences but H6 doesn’t waste time w/ pleasantries. Staged w/ a restraint & maturity usually reserved for more familiar plays. Cleverly designed/styled w/ just the right amount of detail—no more than needed—so the production’s efficient but never feels threadbare or limited. Maximizes mileage of each cast member & component for a play that demands A LOT from its creatives. Thrilling!... Read more Read less

See it if You like Shakespeare, stage fighting, great (though still minimal) staging, you want to support Asian actors in English plays.

Don't see it if You can't sit through 6 hours of the Bard.

Also Fantastic performance by Mahira Kakkar.

See it if You love Shakespeare and are interested in the War of the Roses. Beautiful use of minimal staging elements, terrific acting.

Don't see it if You want something fluffy, modern or short - the two parts are almost 6 hours total. But it is well worth it.

Also This was so well directed that I was actually able to keep up with almost all of the numerous characters. Definitely worthwhile.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy Game of Thrones. (Or, you know, Shakespeare) Want to support the NAATC. Enjoy macabre plays with lots of plotting and murder.

Don't see it if Dislike any abridgment of Shakespearean text. This is an adaptation that reduces three parts into two, though it does so effectively.

Also "Why, what is pomp, rule, reign, but earth and dust?
And, live we how we can, yet die we must." -Warwick

Die indeed. This wonderfully macabre production wades gleefully in the dark bloodied waters of Shakespeare's most battle-heavy work.

The direction is first rate. The production moves as a well oiled machine. The set, sound, and lighting design are appropriately foreboding.

The performances are strong. I particularly enjoyed Kim Wong's effervescent Joan of Arc, Sophia Skiles' shrewd Warwick, and Mia Katigbak's unwavering Humphrey.

The pacing is remarkable. The first part certainly felt shorter than the second but I was engaged for all 6 hours, which I opted to see in a single day.

It is worth noting here that the play is largely an ensemble show. And that parts I and II are performed in repertory. I'd just like to take a second and acknowledge what a feat this must be for the actors involved. I could not be more impressed with this troupe!... Read more Read less

See it if you are a fan of NAATCO and would like to see a satisfying if variable performance of a rarely staged Shakespeare work.

Don't see it if you are not willing to spend 6 hours to see one of Shakespeare's lesser works.

See it if you’ve ever wanted to find a way to see the Henry VI portion of the War of the Roses in a compact, streamlined production.

Don't see it if you are averse to Shakespeare.

Also this is is an outstanding Shakespeare history production, full stop. Music, sound design, and lighting are marvelously effective. Vanessa Kai is such a standout, she can steal a scene with a glance or a gesture and I wish I could’ve seen her play every other role. I highly recommend the first row for an immersive view of the staging and maximum audibility.... Read more Read less

See it if Brilliantly directed, staged, acted. A must-see. Even odd "gender-neutral" casting decisions didn't diminish the better performances.

Don't see it if There's a reason Shakespeare's Histories aren't performed as often as his Tragedies and Comedies. You need a scorecard to follow the action

See it if you're interested in these rarely-produced plays; to support this wonderful small company with a long history; to binge-watch some theater!

Don't see it if Shakespeare isn't your bag.

Also Strong stagecraft all around here. I would suggest taking advantage of the primer video playing outside the theater with the summary of the plot, if you don't know it.... Read more Read less

See it if you love Shakespeare well-done, gripping.

Don't see it if you don't love Shakespeare

Also The adaptation is excellent, the performances excellent. The very first quarter seems a bit stuffy and formal, but things really take off after the first intermission. Do see both halves in the same day, you won't regret it.... Read more Read less

See it if you are a Shakespeare completist. you've never seen Henry VI - it's not staged often. Don't see if you need a completely strong cast.

Don't see it if you can't follow actors playing MULTIPLE characters (male & female), don't enjoy decently produced Shakespeare in a small space.

Also Cast has various levels of ability. About half of the cast is more effective than the other. Most of the production/lighting/sound is nice but falters and becomes tedious with movement over time. Generally a nice/smart small semi-professional production of Henry VI... Read more Read less

See it if Well acted exciting Shakespeare .You almost always know what is happening in this epic 6 hour show shown in a small theater

Don't see it if you want a traditional view, don't like gender bending casting or want to go to a theater that is on 10th Ave and 53rd street. Very GU

Also Part 2 picks it up a notch and is more fast paced

See it if you love Shakespeare and you want to see a very well acted version of the Henry's! This is top-notch, filled with great moments/work!

Don't see it if you aren't into Shakespeare or fine acting and wonderful direction, this is very focused and does not stray from its aims - well done!

See it if You want to see a rarely performed Shakespeare play -- done well.

Don't see it if You have a limited attention span. This requires you to pay attention -- for six hours.

Also Well done by the National Asian American Theater. Henry VI is terribly unwieldy, with serpentine subplots and a profusion of battles. The director, Mr. Fried, does more than a yeoman's job in keeping the action moving, and making use of very limited space. He also edited the text, cutting out nearly half of the original -- and rightfully so. Standouts are Rajesh Bose, Paul Juhn, Vanessa Kai, Wai Ching Ho, David Hyuhn, and Ms. Katigbak.... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in expanding your knowledge of the canon or seeing a wonderful group of actors perform a rarely-done play.

Don't see it if You don't have the patience to remember which English lord is which and who is on who's side.

See it if You want to see the sprawling War of the Roses in a well staged production with Asian actors. Great choreography and lighting design.

Don't see it if You don't want to sit through six hours of Shakespeare or find it difficult to follow actors playing multiple roles.

See it if you enjoy Shakespeare and brilliant staging, along with an outstanding cast of actors

Don't see it if you aren't a fan of Shakespeare, because this is one of his lesser plays, but still proves to be enticing

See it if you want a fresh and artistic take on Shakespeare's history plays.

Don't see it if you don't care for Shakespeare, or flashing lights (which are way cool; why don't you like them?)

Also Well done! History plays can be tough to make interesting, but NAATCO does an incredible job. Both with staging and superb acting, they tell this tale of war with vigor, cleverness, and beauty. I loved the costumes, the use of minimal staging, and choreography (both fight and slow movement). Lights, sound, atmosphere - all fit the story extremely well.... Read more Read less

See it if you love Shakespeare done by an ambitious company of brave actors

Don't see it if don't like Shakespeare tragedies.