Operating Systems

See it if Metoo, racial & gender issues at a software firm. Builds to a devastating climax. Compelling ending. Clever 4th wall breaks. Good acting.

Don't see it if Slow & confusing at first. The non-binary character is hard to follow... but all becomes clear by the end. Rambling & repetitive in spots.

See it if you’d like to see a well-plotted play unfold like clockwork & in the process say smart things about some of our society’s central problems.

Don't see it if you have no interest in theater as a place to put a society’s central problems on trial.

Also I went to “OPERATING SYSTEMS” with no expectations. I discovered a gem of a play, as wise about human frailty as it is about our personal & social interactions & the institutions we create. Here the personal is the political with a vengeance. The playwright almost casually lays out a web of interrelation among her 5 characters, then proceeds to twist & tighten that web until the wrenching finale. That a play so humanly acute is also the best #MeToo play I’ve seen is a tribute to the observation & sensitivity of writer, performers & creative team. The piece also has lots of smart things to say about relations between & among the races & genders. The main antagonists, 2 black women of different generations, are so fine! The youngest character, who has recently transitioned, spends much of their stage time kibbutzing with the audience, a total delight, yet by the end is pulled unexpectedly into the central plot to deliver its deepest cut. This is very effective playwriting indeed.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy discovering new talent on the stage, in what is written on current topics and in the production that make for a great experience.

Don't see it if you are a lazy observer - this play moves back and forth smoothly but it requires your attention. Voices hard to hear when directed away.

See it if you want current political-social issues in your theatrical experiences. Interesting use of theater in the round for a tiny audience.

Don't see it if you expect simple answers. The play offers interesting perspectives which open questions on current political-social issues.

See it if If you want to see a “me too” play

Don't see it if You are bothered by plays that you can figure out in the first 10 minutes

Also The reason I gave this such a high score is because I thought most of what I saw was above average. Most of the acting was great the lighting and staging were also good. The major problem I have with this is the writing. It was obvious from the very beginning exactly what was going to happen. I did not like the old white guys performance but I don’t think it was his fault I think he was directed that way. I’m trying not to give too much away but it was clear how this was going to end up and I don’t think this character should have been made annoying from the very beginning. It would have been nice if he had some layers and a good guy qualities to him... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a play with a small cast doing a fantastic job with a very well written script dealing with a variety of issues.

Don't see it if You are not interested in strong female leads. You are not interested in a play that will have you thinking and be thoroughly entertained

See it if The was very ambitious taking on a lot of topical issues, but also felt a little like a mystery as the story revealed itself. Well directed

Don't see it if The two lead women were awesome. The script was almost too chock full of themes. Overall I highly recommend it.

Also FYI the tickets are free with a donation to the theatre company optional. We bought through SC and still made a donation. Great cause!... Read more Read less

See it if You like a play, with a small, TALENTED cast. You can't be afraid of LBGT, race, or women issues, and have some knowledge of computers. I

Don't see it if Think it was all interwoven and done pretty correctly and smartly. There's really 2 stories in one, but, they're connected. I got emotional

Also Towards the end. I must say, I didn't know what to expect and I had never been to this LES theatre before, but, great venue, great cast, great story. No intermission. Some cussing. I'm amazed that there was such good production value on a FREE show.... kudos to everyone involved!... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in a modern play that takes place in tech co, focusing on advancing black/brown girl’s education in software technology

Don't see it if You dont like to see another play about #metoo movement, sexual harrasment in work place, racism, gender, corporate america, lgbt community

Also What an amazing play, full of layers, where each layer touches a different problem, amazing cast and crew to pull such an important topic in a masterful play. After the play the talk back with the cast was amazing and hear their intake was helpful to understand point of view... Read more Read less

See it if Subtle way to teach ppl about #MeToo & non-binary; strong storytelling by great cast; give each party own voice, including trans & white M

Don't see it if You don’t enjoy circle theatre (there’s always some view blocked); you’re indifferent to sexism, or any prejudice based on sex/gender;

See it if intelligent investigation of a MeToo situation. Good production values and up close for all.

Don't see it if no names, no sets. some people thought they overdid it with the tech jargon, but that was really just window dressing.

Also It is more than a little disingenuous for Show Score to charge a fee for a free show. Even OvationTix forgoes their fee here. Pretty scuzzy, but I'm really not surprised.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a very well done play about race, LGBTQ issues, the me too movement, all within the corporate world.

Don't see it if you don't want to deal with relevant social issues.

See it if You’re interested in lgbtq and gender issues, racism, sexism, and the me too movement. Supports transgender writers and actors

Don't see it if You want something light or are uninterested in relevant topics of sexism and gender issues.

See it if You like plays with edgy plots that deal with race relations in the work place.

Don't see it if You don't like plays dealing with race relations and politics.

See it if you are concerned about sexual harassment and don't mind grappling with issues, including the best way to deal with institutional problems

Don't see it if you have no interest in issue dramas

See it if you care about #MeeToo issues and appreciate theater that brings them front and center

Don't see it if you're looking for light entertainment

Also Gus Schulenburg's play is a real gem - timely, well-balanced, and fearless in pointing out issues that even most dedicated #MeeToo-ers like yours truly rarely get to discuss openly (like the sad fact that often the ones silencing the survivors are other women – many of them survivors as well). I greatly appreciated the tension between characters and their complexities - the characterizations are spot on, and the flowing dialogue feels natural and engaging. Sadly, Emily Hartford's direction blunts the sharpest edges of this excellent script by making some of the actors go over the top for no good reason. While female characters do a good enough job, male-identifying ones seem like caricatures. My major problem was the CEO: survivors know that the most chilling thing about the powerful predators is that they never need to raise their voices; it's the cultural lore that allows them to interrupt, dismiss, threaten. I am hoping this great play will see another staging in more capable hands.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see something that speaks to us all about complicated relationships in work environments and personal interactions

Don't see it if non-binary issues and #metoo issues are not your game.

Also Clever writing and stellar acting. I was totally engrossed from the first moment. I wanted to know as much as I can learn about each character... Read more Read less

See it if You want an absorbing drama about a relevant issue.

Don't see it if You are confused about the working systems of computers. The story is good. However, the computer talk was impossible and boring.

See it if you are interested in well-told stories that reflect the current zeitgeist with great production and stellar acting.

Don't see it if you don't like plays or the #metoo movement.

See it if you like deep thinking plays about queer and gender politics.

Don't see it if you don't want to think - this one requires it!

See it if you are interested in a topical modern story about gender, lgbtq, #metoo challenges in a modern workplace.

Don't see it if if you are triggered by #metoo stories.

Also If the story feels flat and predictable with limited character development, perhaps it's because the play is more a reflection of #metoo as presented in the media, rather than as lived in the real lives of survivors and perpetrators. By only examining #metoo through the safety of stories we hear about in the news, we may feel like we are having a meaningful conversation about what it's like to be assaulted, but in reality we are only getting a one-dimensional view.
I suspect that for many people who have experienced sexual violence in their own lives and saw the play, the story they saw on stage was enriched with their own pain, uncertainty, doubt, guilt, fear and loss. If the play leaves you wanting more and with unanswered questions, I encourage you to start a conversation with your friends and family about sexual assault. Every 92 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted, which means there are so many untold stories close to home.... Read more Read less

See it if Trans / lgbt themes, non binary, computer geeks, metephors, metoo movement

Don't see it if Contains sexual harassment scenes that may cause some to feel uncomfortable.

Also Creative presentation of the metoo movement and support for the trans fluid individuals. Story is not extremely convincing but still sending positive messages for good causes.... Read more Read less

See it if You’re willing to recognize that this script feels overly ambitious but isn’t without merit. You have existing knowledge of computer systems

Don't see it if You’re looking for something more tight, well written, and focused. This one meanders and gets lost in its own philosophy.

Also Excellent design quality for the space- set and light were particularly well executed. I enjoyed the boldness of the direction in the round. Not an easy task! If only the piece wasn’t so preachy and hard to hear/follow.... Read more Read less

See it if If your interested in a teckie type of play, good lighting.

Don't see it if If you want a good storyline . If your not into tech or teckie speak.

See it if You’re interested in a long story of high tech, power and sexual issues. H.R. meets the Tech department

Don't see it if You aren’t familiar with Hi Tech language and patient.