Make Believe NYC Reviews and Tickets

77%
(206 Ratings)
Positive
81%
Mixed
17%
Negative
2%
Members say
Great acting, Absorbing, Thought-provoking, Clever, Intelligent

About the Show

Bess Wohl returns to Second Stage after her funny and poignant play, "American Hero," with a look inside the minds of children, their parents, and the mysteries of childhood that haunt us forever.

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Show-Score Member Reviews (206)

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318 Reviews | 61 Followers
97
Great acting, Must see, Profound, Resonant, Clever

See it if You like talented younger & older actors, non-musical, decent set design, at an easy-to-get-to theatre. The “Show-Score” average score does

Don't see it if This play NO justice. It was fantastic. I laughed and I cried, even though I was exhausted from a long day. It was well-acted. I will say Read more

470 Reviews | 113 Followers
97
Resonant, Great writing, Great acting, Absorbing

See it if Great story about 4 neglected kids (kids are excellent actors) & what happens to them as adults. Detailed attic set. 85 min flies by.

Don't see it if You don't like shows with screaming or crying or when things don't always go the way you expect.

509 Reviews | 336 Followers
96
Intelligent, Intense, Great acting, Entertaining, Absorbing

See it if I was totally enthralled throughout. I loved the kids. I don't think I've seen kids used in that way before, with no adults to interact with

Don't see it if if you don't want to watch children "playing" onstage. The wildness of it, the rudeness and meanness sadly seemed very authentic. Read more

139 Reviews | 26 Followers
95
Thought-provoking, Great writing, Great staging, Great acting, Absorbing

See it if You want to experience a thought provoking drama unique in using children to actually tell the early beginnings of the adult children’s

Don't see it if You are disturbed by portrayals of family dysfunction. You dislike methodical intentionally slow moving plays that take time to unfold. Read more

228 Reviews | 36 Followers
95
Masterful, Great writing

See it if you want to see a play that will haunt you into the evening and into the next day or if you want to see something very different.

Don't see it if watching a disfunctional family bothers you. I had trouble with the first part, but once the adults came on stage, the story gelled. Read more

don
506 Reviews | 1005 Followers
95
Intelligent, Great acting, Clever, Absorbing

See it if Superb acting by 4 youngsters. How does one find 4 youngsters that can do the job. It is rare that both of us felt the same way. also

Don't see it if 80 minutes ( a problem for some) Read more

1166 Reviews | 464 Followers
91
Profound, Absorbing, Great acting, Great writing, Exquisite

See it if You like stories that start slowly but build to a super insightful ending. If you liked Small Mouth Sounds you’ll probably like this.

Don't see it if You don’t like to look inside. Read more

774 Reviews | 246 Followers
90
Original, Profound, Great acting, Funny, Clever

See it if Abandoned kids' playtime in 1st act transitions to adult drama in 2nd. Serious themes, lots of humor & plot twists. Wonderful acting.

Don't see it if You need to take the play literally. It is half realistic, half farce. Life can be cruel, but we have to laugh, and make believe.

Critic Reviews (18)

The New York Times
August 15th, 2019

CRITIC’S PICK "In ‘Make Believe,’ Four Children Meet Their Inner Adults: Bess Wohl’s daring, mysterious new play is a comedy of underparenting and a tragedy of selfishness. Or is it the other way around?"
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Time Out New York
August 15th, 2019

★★★★ "It's the oldest strategy in the dramatic playbook: the 'retrospective' plot, in which a buried secret is dug up and brought into the light...That's why Bess Wohl's 'Make Believe ' has such freshness: The writer has found a new way to cut old cloth."
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New York Magazine / Vulture
August 15th, 2019

"The Unreal Land of 'Make Believe': Bess Wohl's play about childhood and its ripple effects."
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The Hollywood Reporter
August 15th, 2019

"The latest effort from Bess Wohl, author of the acclaimed 'Small Mouth Sounds,' explores the lingering effects of a traumatic event on the lives of four young children."
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Theatermania
August 15th, 2019

"'Make Believe' Reveals the Seriousness Lurking Behind Playtime: Bess Wohl's latest show depicts abandoned kids at play."
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BroadwayWorld
August 16th, 2019

"Therapy is Child's Play in Bess Wohl's Engrossing Drama 'MAKE BELIEVE'"
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Lighting & Sound America
August 16th, 2019

"'Make Believe' is populated with children who play some very adult games; the playwright, Bess Wohl, is a pretty audacious game-player herself…Make Believe would challenge any director, but Michael Greif's intensively detailed approach makes every moment count."
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New York Stage Review
August 15th, 2019

★★★★ "'A Sentimental but Not Syrupy Nostalgia Trip.' Children of the '80s will especially enjoy Bess Wohl's nostalgic new play, set in a memory-filled family attic"
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