Party People
Closed 2h 45m
Party People
72

Party People NYC Reviews and Tickets

72%
(71 Ratings)
Positive
62%
Mixed
24%
Negative
14%
Members say
Ambitious, Relevant, Thought-provoking, Great singing, Absorbing

About the Show

The Public Theater presents the New York premiere of Universes' explosive new work about the complicated legacies of the original Black Panther Party and the Young Lords.

Read more Show less

Show-Score Member Reviews (71)

Sort by:
  • Default
  • Standing in our community
  • Highest first
  • Lowest first
  • Newest first
  • Oldest first
  • Only positive
  • Only negative
  • Only mixed
407 Reviews | 66 Followers
85
Absorbing, Ambitious, Intelligent, Relevant, Thought-provoking

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 Read more

96 Reviews | 29 Followers
82
Absorbing, Ambitious, Confusing, Great singing

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.

68 Reviews | 23 Followers
81
Entertaining, Great staging, Edgy, Dizzying, Relevant

See it if you are unafraid of ambitious, dynamic theater tackling a tough topic that now more than ever should be on our minds. Very talented cast!

Don't see it if you expect a traditional storyline. Overlong and disjointed.

100 Reviews | 64 Followers
80
Ambitious, Necessary, Dizzying, Intense, Relevant

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 Read more

261 Reviews | 70 Followers
80
Great singing, Intelligent, Profound, Relevant, Riveting

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 Read more

202 Reviews | 53 Followers
80
Ambitious, Entertaining, Edgy, Relevant, Thought-provoking

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. Read more

63 Reviews | 12 Followers
80
Great singing, Thought-provoking, Edgy, Relevant, Intense

See it if You know who The Black Panther Party is/was. If you would like to see a more edgy, Hamilton-like production that's dipped in Dark Chocolate!

Don't see it if You don't currently support the "Black Lives Matter" Movement or you have never supported any organization that is considered to be radical.

275 Reviews | 604 Followers
79
Absorbing, Great acting, Relevant

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.

Critic Reviews (27)

CurtainUp
November 18th, 2016

"The combination of historical documentary and a meta-theatrical plot can be difficult to navigate at times...But the structural foibles are easy to look past when you consider the power of its performances and its staggering, gut-punching relevance...In the aftermath of an election cycle featuring some of the most racially charged rhetoric in decades, this is a work that has taken on a different kind of resonance and urgency...That makes it one of the most important shows on stage today."
Read more

Theater Pizzazz
December 7th, 2016

"'Party People,' a raw, raucous new musical, is protesting injustice and intolerance–both in the past and the present. It’s a bold, brave semi-documentary…This provocative work looks back on two radical political groups from the '60s...Interviews and conversations are interspersed with a mélange of hip hop and Latino song-and-dance numbers performed by a vibrant company of multiracial performers…Kudos to the OSF for keeping the historic home fires burning."
Read more

Front Row Center
November 16th, 2016

"I’m not sure if knowledge of history will save us from repeating it, but I know it can’t hurt. For this reason alone, I would urge you to see 'Party People'...It’s riveting, fast-paced, well-written and performed by a versatile and talented cast...Hard questions, asked with sensitivity and unbearable timeliness, 'Party People' will resonate with everyone who sees it whether you lived through the '60s or not. Kudos to everyone involved."
Read more

New York Theater
November 15th, 2016

"Powerful and intelligent documentary theater—although the documentary theater part struggles for attention amidst all the other elements of this lively, sprawling, overlong play/musical/multi-media hip-hop performance art piece...'Party People' is full of intriguing historical tidbits, exciting choreography, rhythmic singing, galvanizing fist-pumping, suspenseful encounters and poignant moments–too full, actually. It’s overstuffed and unfocused."
Read more

Theatre's Leiter Side
November 15th, 2016

"It's preaching to the choir, of course, and knows full well what buttons to press-like a crack at Donald Trump's expense-to get the responses it seeks, but for all its freeform dramaturgy, stereotypical characters, and simplified conflicts, it has an infectious nonstop energy and point of view that you enjoy for its performative values while also discovering that it might influence your behavior, even if you're not a Marxist-Maoist ideologue."
Read more

The Huffington Post
November 15th, 2016

"A rousing, raucous play-with-music...The entertainment, which begins the powerful, if from time to time polemical, work—and is choreographed to a foot-stomping, arm-raising fare-thee-well by Millicent Johnnie—is something to behold...Sly and leavening humor crops up occasionally...Considering what’s afoot nationally right this minute, 'Party People' has the potential to stir up as much of a societal kerfuffle as 'Hair.'"
Read more

Wolf Entertainment Guide
November 17th, 2016

"The production is a fierce blend of song and dialogue. It is often too shrill and overstated, but the show has guts and furthermore, ties the past to the present in ways that proclaim issues yet to be resolved...The entire show is extremely intense, and although it gets repetitive and over-long, its passion commands attention and appreciation, and the overall perspective adds to our remembrance of those turbulent times."
Read more

Theater In The Now
November 27th, 2016

"A powerful and provocative piece of art about art and activism spanning generations...'Party People' is more of an idea than a well-made theatrical story. Tommy would have been better served to allow the story to unfold rather than hammer a message in...This ensemble carried the weight of the world on their shoulders. They worked wondrously as a unit...But there was something off with 'Party People.' With disconnect and lack of cohesion, 'Party People' is not as strong as it could be."
Read more