One in Two NYC Reviews and Tickets

78%

(124 Reviews)

Positive

86%

Mixed

11%

Negative

Members say

Thought-provoking, Great acting, Relevant, Absorbing, Ambitious

About the Show

This world premiere from Donja R. Love, inspired by his 10th anniversary of being HIV positive, offers an unflinching portrait of being Black and queer today.

From the show:

Three young Black queer men are waiting to be chosen. When one of them is, he’s forced to live a new reality inside an epidemic, exploring the joys, the gags and the truths of not being defined by his diagnosis. Donja R. Love, inspired by his 10th anniversary of being HIV positive, offers an unflinching portrait of being Black and queer today. With grace and humor, one in two breaks the silence on an experience that’s an ongoing reality for so many, and reveals the community that thrives within it. Stevie Walker-Webb directs this world premiere for The New Group.

Member Reviews (124)

Absurdist, Creative, Thought-provoking, Relevant, Unusual

See it if you'd like an unusual theater piece w impt HIV message. 4th wall broken; self-aware play. Not all scenes work, but fascinating. Strg acting.

Don't see it if you like tradl theater. Or uncomfortable w gay stories. Noise of video #s distracts.Ending is unique; crisis continues. Moving. Arresting.

Great writing, Great acting, Timely, Thought-provoking, Relevant

See it if Though confusing at first, it grows into a writing tour de force that is tragic, brilliant and painful.

Don't see it if You dislike issues of homosexuality and HIV. Read more

Intense, Thought-provoking, Great acting, Great staging, Relevant

See it if you want to understand the statistics and the psychological effects of HIV in the Black community, here on an interesting set w/a good cast.

Don't see it if you cannot face facts and be open to understanding the prejudices aimed at Blacks and gays facing health issues and societal acceptance.

Intense, Disturbing, Clever, Edgy, Relevant

See it if Absurdist incisive play-within-a-play shows how HIV stigma & toxic masculinity contribute to the horrific 1-in-2 among black gay & bi men.

Don't see it if You don't want to be challenged with heavy, disturbing scenes. Male nudity, gay sex, depression/suicide, loss of identity.

Thought-provoking, Edgy, Dated, Clever, Absorbing

See it if Acting is superb. Feelings are so real.The Playwright had to tell his story. Even some humor sneaked in.

Don't see it if Huge disparity between our ratings; one a 60% and the other an 85% (see also) Read more

Raw, Thought-provoking, Great acting, Poignant, Powerful

See it if semi autobiographical play re: the horror of numbers & the stories behind 3 of them; terrific acting/writing/ direction/set design/lighting

Don't see it if looking for something light - here we have racism, LGBT issues, self hatred, love & simulated sex scenes (which are handled with discretion) Read more

Hollow, Excruciating, Great staging

See it if you like this theater space. It’s one of my favorite theaters to see a show in the city

Don't see it if You are expecting a straightforward play. This involves three actors playing multiple parts Read more

Thought-provoking, Riveting, Profound, Intense, Great acting

See it if Powerful performances, powerful topic. Shines a light on an issue many aren't aware of. AIDS isn't over, especially in the black community.

Don't see it if I found it riveting, but it wasn't as emotionally involving as I'd hoped. I expected to dissolve in a puddle of tears at the end. I didn't.

Critic Reviews (13)

CRITIC’S PICK. "Counting on Compassion in ‘one in two’: Donja R. Love’s powerful play balances tenderness and fury to explore how H.I.V. has become a ”hidden emergency” in the black community."
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4/5 Stars "Raw, intense and surreal...Initially, the play’s tonal shifts and lack of details may confound...But Love knows how messy, overwhelming and confusing living with HIV can be. His play channels that experience while serving as a blunt wake-up call that the epidemic is far from over."
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"'One in Two' Looks at the Absurdity of Being a Black, Queer, HIV-Positive Man: Donja R. Love's semiautobiographical play makes its world premiere."
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"Donja R. Love's Absurdist Drama one in two Demands Attention For Black Gay Male HIV+ Realities"
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"While one in two has its blatant PSA moments, it adds to the burst of new writing from black gay playwrights -- including Robert O'Hara, Jeremy O. Harris, and Michael R. Jackson -- who are providing theatregoers with so much to talk about right now."
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3/5 Stars. "Donja R. Love explores the reality of the black HIV-positive gay man."
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3/5 Stars. "The sadly familiar story of a black man living with HIV gets an absurdist twist in this lively and smartly crafted look at an issue that unfortunately needs to be constantly addressed."
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"'one in two' uses many non-realistic resources of theater to tell its story. While the play does not have a great many revelations, it does have several theatrical surprises. It also may just be the first play to recount the story of Black gay men who are HIV positive and ultimately offer hope."
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