Party People

See it if you want to learn more about Black Panthers & Puerto Rican groups in late 60's set as a musical, minority politics & compelling songs

Don't see it if setting the Black Panther story to music discomforts you, you'd like genuine character development, don't like too many visual distractions

See it if you have a pulse. Just go and let it inspire you and frustrate you and make you think and galvanize you.

Don't see it if you want to pretend the world we live in is 100% wonderful.

See it if you are interested in the politics of the sixties and seventies, most specifically, the evolution of the Black Panthers and Young Lords.

Don't see it if you want a coherent play from start to finish; more story in a more concise presentation; a more involving first act; good editing.

See it if you are interested in the Black Panthers and Young Lords of the 1960's and how they are relevant to today's politics. Inventive staging!!

Don't see it if you are not interested in historical pieces. Also, if you need all questions answered that are raised in this production.

See it if I don't really have anything good to say. I left at intermission. The story was banal and unmotivated. The songs were astoundingly bad.

Don't see it if The acting wasn't awful but the plot was...plotless. The one hard hitting moment missed its mark for me buried between bad dance and music.

See it if enjoy a piece that ties together the minority political experiences from 50yrs ago to today. It's a meaningful connection.

Don't see it if creative historical-contemporary theater using multi-media, song, dance and angst isn't your thing

Also While the show is uneven in it's story telling, it is an important piece... Read more Read less

See it if Some great talent in this rueful and still angry historical view of Black Panthers/Young Lords, but so needs editing! The older characters..

Don't see it if ...are the strongest, the young Primo character completely out of place. This rousing musical piece has a very dark center and is overlong.

See it if you're unfamiliar with the history of the Black Panthers and Young Lords. While a bit too long, the music is edgy and refreshing.

Don't see it if you're uncomfortable with political themes or would be frightened by incredibly realistic gunshots.

Also This play is almost three hours long but covers very important subject matter. We need shows like this that challenge our perception of what theater is now more than ever.... Read more Read less

See it if See if you are interested in the history of the Black Panthers and Young Lords from the 1960s on.

Don't see it if feel uncomfortable with a new form of play which centers on race relations.

See it if you like an interesting Political Topic seen from multiple points of view. Great coverage of the Black Panther Movement.

Don't see it if you don't like distracting live cameras with multiple screens at the theatre. Aren't a fan of historical pseudo- documentary / Art pieces.

See it if you like musicals, American history, and/or bold, experimental theatre.

Don't see it if you want to avoid political activism, wrestling with the past, or don't like the use of video / screens in live theatre.

Also So this play is a real play, with a (fictional) plot, and some musical numbers. It's not just a historical presentation.

Two young artists, the son of an imprisoned Black Panther and the nephew of a Young Lord, come together to create an artistic event / installation revolving around the two parties. Old friends reunite, past grievances are aired, and everyone learns a lot about American history.

The political discourse is very relevant to today, and much of the material is based on first-hand interviews.... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in a thorough history of the Panthers and the Lords, have a lot of time, and a great deal of patience.

Don't see it if Your attention span isn't unlimited, and you can't grant the creators time to show every last wrinkle in this interesting revolution story.

See it if the history of the Black Panthers & the Young Lords interests you.

Don't see it if are looking for an escape or a quiet time at the theater

See it if you want to show with a powerful message, a talented cast, history mixing with the present to give us a show relevant to our times. Awesome!

Don't see it if You don't give a damn about events happening in society, the past or the future. Social commentary pieces are not for you.

See it if Sprawling art as revolution reflecting on themes of intergenerational activism from the sixties to cyberspace expressed in music rap &dance

Don't see it if You need a narrative instead of themes that are not linear but express idealism, commitment, betrayal and disillusionment

Also Interesting play within a play structure that explores youthful idealism and ultimate reality intrusions that shape activism and forms it can take in the modern world where it may be needed more than ever. Tale told through exploration of the rise and demise of Black Panther and Young Lords.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to experience a social action theater experience

Don't see it if You prefer to be shown rather than told in a show.

See it if you know a lot about the Black Panthers and Young Lords and are very sympathetic to their cause.

Don't see it if you enjoy a theater experience that teaches you something through memorable songs and dialogue.

Also Don't see it if you appreciate good voices (with one or two exceptions) and songs that move the story along. The play/musical assumes you know a lot about the Black Panthers and the Young Lords. In the dialogue of the play one character recommends that you Google information about these two groups and their leaders. I believe the play should tell their story. Also, the play is very one sided. Even in the scene about the dead white police officer, there is no sympathy shown for good cops who work in minority communities and try to do the right thing. I was disappointed for I hoped for an enriching experience which I did not get. In fairness, I must say that the majority of the audience really seemed to love the play.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in learning about the Black Panthers and/or Young Lords and don't mind an extremely meta approach to storytelling.

Don't see it if you're expecting a cohesive theatrical work -- there's some interesting staging ideas, but on the whole the show feels all over the place.

See it if you are in need of a show that speaks directly to what is happening right now...socially, politically, economically.

Don't see it if often times clunky structure, and forced staging frustrate you.

See it if You like a too simplistic conception of Black Panthers and Young Lords!!!

Don't see it if You are looking for a more energetic way to dig deep into socila justices issues. Like Master Harold does on Signature Theater.

See it if you're up for a powerful, provocative history lesson about the recent past; you want to encounter the formidable talent of Mildred Ruiz Sapp

Don't see it if you can't with seriously political theater; if you don't have it in you to wait until last 20 minutes to have your socks blown off

See it if you want to be left with a lot of questions and thoughts, you want to be provoked and challenged

Don't see it if you're not ready to deal with intense themes, you're not willing to experiment and try a new feel of theater

Also This is not a 'traditional' theater piece of any kind - there are non-theatrey yet very theatrical influences of all sorts - and the performers are not all theatrically trained. Act 1 may feel lengthy and strained, but stay for Act 2. This piece is worth it.... Read more Read less

See it if You want a challenging piece of political theater using music, are interested in the history of the Black Panther Party and the Young Lords.

Don't see it if You have no interest in a play told from the perspective of Black Panther and Young Lords members years later. You don't like hip hop music.

Also My husband recognized the historical events and names referred to during the play, making it more enjoyable to him. I was more confused by some of the story.... Read more Read less

See it if You like hip-hop musicals with a message and a loose story. Creatively written and staged and very talented performers.

Don't see it if You don't like cursing or hip-hop. Are tired of the political.

See it if you're interested in learning more about the history of the Black Panthers & the Young Lords & how it connects to today's political climate

Don't see it if you don't like multimedia in stage productions (there are a lot of tv screens and live video feeds) or if you don't like political theater