Mrs. Murray's Menagerie

See it if you like to see a loose story told through character interactions, crafted by a stellar cast.

Don't see it if you can't stand awkwardly squirming in your seat while waiting for a story arc that will never come.

Also I saw The Mad Ones' MILES FOR MARY last year and it was one of the most brilliant stage comedies I've seen in years. The unique group continues what they started here with another show that is light on story but deep in character. To describe this show is almost useless. You really have to see it for yourself to understand its appeal. There's almost no story. Just a situation. But you learn so much about the characters from their simple interactions. A passive aggressive motion or an awkward glance across the table says much more than mere dialogue might in another show. The cast/creators are perfect, most notably Brad Heberlee, Joe Curnutte, January LaVoy, & Stephanie Wright Thompson. The only reason I didn't rate this show higher is because I thought that MILES FOR MARY had a stronger build & more satisfying catharsis at the end. But I love what this team does and I will see whatever they put together next. I can't wait for their next project.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see an incredibly funny extraordinarily well executed play

Don't see it if you're not into very subtle humor

See it if you like seeing well-developed characters thrown together and watching them react to each other.

Don't see it if you want a riveting plot with a strong story arc

See it if you enjoy atypical plays. Comedies. Outstanding acting

Don't see it if you are looking for large scale theatre.

Also This was a good but not great show. The acting was fabulous and the idea was clever, but by the last third the show had more or less run out of gas. It went nowhere... Read more Read less

See it if you appreciate the subtexts of how race and class play out in this completely original idea of the focus group upon which we get to spy!

Don't see it if quirky and thought-provoking is not your kind of comedy/drama

See it if you want to see a very intelligent show that says so much about society, group dynamics, culture, etc primarily with indirect communication

Don't see it if You don’t want to dig beneath the surface of messages to get at what is actually being said.

See it if you like a comedy that feels like an episode of the office - race, gender and class issues

Don't see it if you'd have hard time watching essentially one scene for 90 minutes

Also I love The Mad Ones and Lila Neugebauer's work, that's why I was a little disappointed. Miles for Marry was fantastic and they didn't quite live up to expectations this time. It's a focus group discussing a TV show for 90 minutes, at some point I just wished there was a "bathroom break" so the characters can be a talk more one-on-one and develop relationships, but that never happens, it's a facilitated discussion of 6-7 people throughout the entire show.

Also - it was often hard to hear what the actors were saying. the acting style is very day-to-day mockumentary type but they should find a way to speak louder or use microphones.... Read more Read less

See it if You like funny, intelligent theater. It is subtle and very thought provoking. The characters are realistic, the themes timely.

Don't see it if You are bored if there is not a lot of action

See it if you like hyper-realism that is excellently performed; the presence in the room was v electric; you like meta-theatricality; ensemble-based

Don't see it if you want a play that steps back from itself; you don't like the 1970s; you don't want to watch white men be awful (on purpose/for the play)

Also I knew very little and was both floored by the performance and exacting quality of it, if a bit underwhelmed or left questioning/wanting a little more about where we land, though I suspect that's the point. I think it's masterfully directed and performed.... Read more Read less

See it if This show is a fascinating examination of interpersonal dynamics and psychology evidenced as strangers interact.

Don't see it if You want to see action instead of becoming aware of abstract ideas over the course of a single scene.

See it if You like a piece that gives you a lot to think about, and a lot to discover in glances, sighs, and side comments.

Don't see it if You are more driven by plot than character, or prefer that the "message" of a play be directly signaled to the audience.

Also There is so much to discover here--I could watch it multiple times from different angles. But in going back to the past, The Mad Ones mine a lot of observations into 'how did we get here?' in a subtle, taut 85 minutes.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy plays that are different and tell more by sometimes not saying too much. A very intelligent and funny work that makes you think!

Don't see it if You want a standard type story. This is a great study in interpersonal behaviors and group dynamics that doesn’t follow a traditional style.

See it if You like The Mad Ones. They once again nail their special brand of theatre.

Don't see it if You don't like the Mad Ones.

Also Although good, it felt slower than MILES FOR MARY possibly because the characters had no personal connections. It is more one of those plays that you start to piece together after leaving the theatre but just didn't have the same impact as MARY. But for me, any time spent with The Mad Ones is time well spent. Their unique brand of humor and theatre is refreshing.... Read more Read less

See it if You love to watch characters who seem to live full lives off-stage or non-traditional dramatic presentations

Don't see it if The lack of action will leave you cold

Also I'm a recent "Miles for Mary" fan (something I shared, probably, with much of "Mrs. Murray's" audience) and loved the difference between the two plays. Both are chaotic and technicolor -- with just awesome performances all around -- but, whereas "Miles for Mary" was explosive, "Mrs. Murray" was quiet. And it was shattering.
I was surprised that, after spending 90 minutes laughing, I left feeling like I'd seen something emotionally profound.
It was awesome to get to know each character and root for (some of) them to make their voices heard. It was clear at the end that they had so much more to say but, for reasons of politeness or emotional security, couldn't. I wish there could've been more. This was a wonderful time.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to experience a focus group for yourself.

Don't see it if you want something with conflict, plot and drama.

Also I have enjoyed many shows at Ars Nove, but I expected more from this group. The plot is thin; it never rises to some sort of climax and with one or two exceptions, very little character development. Not much in the conflict department even though there was ample opportunities to explore race, class and gender constructs. Those ideas barely rise above a simmer. It doesn't really gel into a satisfying theatre piece.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy non-traditional theatre and want to see a show that’s not going to hold your hand

Don't see it if If you’re looking for something big and flashy or full of action

See it if You enjoy thoughtful storylines with really smart set design and multiple supporting characters in continuous, well written dialogue.

Don't see it if You need a fancy theater or a lot of smoke and lights.

See it if Superficial. Stereotypic. Predictable and boring. Actors made real efforts with cliched material.

Don't see it if you want to see something original.

See it if you want to Laugh, like character development, and want to see a fresh take on theater

Don't see it if you want a single theme as a take-away. Every person I talked to identified w/a different character & maybe that's the point.

See it if you want to see a clever (and mostly funny) script with really good actors.

Don't see it if after the first 60 minutes you wonder why there's more... great acting and design but a bit one-note for too long... great use of the space.

See it if you like plays that take on social issues in inventive, fast-paced, incisive ways or you're curious how to make a play out of a focus group.

Don't see it if you don't like highly intricate, super-fast plays that take on social issues in a highly entertaining way.

Also Please bring this play back!

See it if You really miss the 80s. Or even if you sorta miss the 80s...it's fun to go back in time.

Don't see it if You want a transformative experience. The show is entertaining, but doesn't have the profound themes that Miles for Mary did.

See it if You'd like to see expert ensemble work. You enjoy unconventional storytelling. You're not yet familiar with the Mad Ones & what they do.

Don't see it if You're a strict traditionalist in terms of plot structure for plays.

Also Amazing performances: These actors REALLY become their characters (including the 2 who play the research co. employees) -- absolutely seamless portrayals. It's a fun idea: recreating a focus group, in this case about a popular kids' TV show. And very impressive how you discern a lot about the (parent) characters' lives and personalities without ever seeing them interact w/their kids or spouses or do anything but participate in this focus group. Same with how you discern a lot about the TV show and its characters without seeing any of it. While I totally enjoyed this play, I would not dismiss the criticism that (1) it can start to feel a bit repetitive in places, (2) it could go deeper regarding issues of race, class, gender, family dynamics. I was expecting more to be articulated later in the play - like, maybe, an actual argument between participants, or an explicit critique of certain attitudes - but the potential conflict kind of petered out or ultimately seemed underdeveloped.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to experience the mundane, recreated with masterful detail and emulating powerful nostalgia through tiny moments.

Don't see it if You only want stores following traditional structures of plot and climaxes.

See it if you like to be drawn into the world and exposition — you will slowly learn who each character is and what parenting in the 70s is like

Don't see it if you don't like reading into the subtext of a moment, want everything to be spelled out to you, feel uncomfortable when plays examine racism