Mangled Beams

See it if You want to see a smart play that’s entertaining while tackling some very real very serious topics without ever feeling bogged down by them.

Don't see it if You can’t watch with some imagination and an open mind. For a small stage the recreation of 9/11 destruction and beams was impressive.

See it if if you like bad writing coupled with bad acting/ 2 good actors in it, good lighting.

Don't see it if if you enjoy a really badly written play that is not grounded with any continuity.

See it if you would like to experience a story about the lives of some New York Native Americans, told & presented by Native Americans.

Don't see it if you are looking for that big budget thriller about the fall of the Twin Towers--this is not it.

Also “Mangled Beams” isn’t great drama. But it compelled my attention from start to finish because it’s full of telling particulars about Amerindian life in New York, presented in a series of authentic-sounding scenes among several Amerindians—construction workers, black marketeers, a nurse, a radio reporter—& a token white jerk. At the end of a full act of such scenes we understand the characters’ complex web of interaction—at which point a plane hits the World Trade Center. It’s no surprise that in Act 2 the way each character responds to the disaster will separate the good guys from the louses & help the nurse pick Mr. Right. Instead of this standard plot, what will stick with me is the texture of Amerindian life, & the humor & perseverance with which these characters deal with daily provocations. (The 2nd act set, a construct of wooden beams a few feet high, is a marvel of suggestion, conjuring the ruins of a tower in a tiny room. I love when theater can make so much of so little.)... Read more Read less

See it if You are open-minded and willing to be educated about another kind of discrimination but in return shows kindness and patriotism.

Don't see it if You aren’t the least bit interested in Native American issues and don’t want to hear their story.

See it if You want to support new work about issues facing Native Americans.

Don't see it if You want to see something above community theatre. Very clunky writing.

See it if You're interested in the role played by Native Americans in the 9/11 cleanup. Slow first act &clunky writing is somewhat redeemed by 2nd act

Don't see it if You don't support community theatre or aren't interested in the story. Good effort overall.

See it if you're interested in Native Americans' role in the World trade Center construction & 9/11 Cleanup, and the problems they had to deal with

Don't see it if you're already familiar with the Native Americans' struggle outside their reservation & their part in World Trade Cntr work

See it if A strange mix of various plot lines tries to be relevant at the end Pretty much an I told you so on things you already know

Don't see it if You’re expecting great writing or acting this was pretty much so so and the material I think everyone knows already

See it if I think there might be a good story under the wreckage of the writing and acting but the keyword is might. Every word and act was a cliché.

Don't see it if You could feel every actors' performance sweat, thereby every line felt memorized and not performed as the character, hence killing the show

See it if Native American steel workers in NYC are discriminated against by union boss. They are beam walkers. Then 9/11 happens. Excellent story

Don't see it if Do see it! Closes tomorrow, April 29

See it if you desire a play that shocks you with language and plot.

Don't see it if you live in a PC culture.

See it if you want a play that explores an unknown aspect of 9/11.

Don't see it if you are not interested in a behind the scenes story of 9/11

See it if You want to see some great acting about the treatment of Native Americans pre-911 in the construction trades.

Don't see it if You have no interest in the above or are averse to some rough language, which was important in this piece.

Also Important to see especially in these trying political and social times. Story takes place in 2001, but could very well take place in. 2018.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to support Native American projects. Wish there were more about union racism experienced; and the beamwalker efforts during 9/11.

Don't see it if you have no interest in supporting Native American works. You want to see a well-edited play.

See it if are interested in Native American plays.

Don't see it if the subject of 911 is uncomfortable

See it if you want to expose a serious, overlooked issue (the key role of native-American "ironwalkers" in building the WTC) to the public conscience.

Don't see it if you are impatient with nonprofessional productions where the points being made get lost in muddled writing and unsubtle acting.

Also This story deserves to be told in a higher-quality production.

See it if You care about Native Americans

Don't see it if There is no reason not to.

See it if You are interested in American Indian culture and how it intersects with mainstream society, you want to support a niche company & new work

Don't see it if You need a fully polished play (this production lacks strong writing and direction)

See it if you know nothing about the Native American "Skywalkers" and would like to learn something.

Don't see it if you want a "show" and not a "tell".

See it if You want to learn about how Native Americans were involved in the cleaning efforts when 9-11 happened. Liked the story.

Don't see it if If you cant deal with a long opening scene where no words are spoken. So-so writing.

See it if You will learn about Native American iron workers, tribes, customs, struggles of a people that has never been staged before.

Don't see it if See it! It closes today!

See it if Interesting aspect of the many people involved in the clean up of ground zero after 9/11, as well of insight into native culture

Don't see it if you have no interest in a poignant take on a major event

See it if Great character analyses

Don't see it if Intense characters

See it if you want to learn about Native American "skywalkers," their role in building NYC's skyscrapers and their work in post-9/11.

Don't see it if you have no sense of imagination (in seeing the wreckage) but want everything laid out for you.

See it if I think it is a story that needs to be heard and told to the fullest. I think it opens to the door for conversation.

Don't see it if If you are not willing to understand and be open to what has been and is still being done regarding First Peoples...