Pass Over (Lincoln Center)

See it if you think that an updated version of Waiting For Godot with two African American characters sounds like a fun evening in the theater.

Don't see it if you are unaware of the weary history of black folks in this country and unfamiliar with the details of Beckett's play. Today ain't the day!

Also I am a huge fan of the TV credits of actor Jon Michael Hill and previous stage work of Gabriel Ebert. And while I think what they did up there n stage was disturbingly moving, I just didn't enjoy the play. PERIOD!... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in seeing good actors working in a poorly-written play.

Don't see it if you are looking for more than a protracted sketch.

Also I found this play quite difficult to sit through, given the fact that the characters were completely cartoonish and the scenario with all of its 'sound and fury' was utterly anemic. It was too rudimentary and unpoetic to function as an allegory and too surreal to have an emotional impact. The set was pretty cool, though.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to spend 85 minutes in despair.

Don't see it if You are not a fan of Waiting for Godot.

See it if Passover exposes the human spirit.

Don't see it if The show has profanity.

See it if If you like shows that deal with blacks trapped in there environment.

Don't see it if If you cannot stand cursing and more cursing. If you have an aversion to the bleak side of life.

See it if You're an adventurous theatergoer and like to be challenged with plays that require interpretation.

Don't see it if You are offended by hearing the f-word and the n-word over and over and over.

Also Some SPOILERS below!

Do we need more frank conversations about race and police brutality in America? Yes. But I'm not sure this is the play to foster that.

Pass Over mixes realism with the supernatural, the theater of the absurd, and allegory. I found it hard to adjust to the change in styles.

Also, I didn't get the symbolism, such as the swapping of the jackets. I figured that has to do with the black men's identity, or lack of identity, but I couldn't figure out what.

I had no idea who the white character was supposed to be in his over-the-top "Gosh, golly, gee" persona. I guess he represented the white person who seems benevolent but actually has evil intent toward black men, given that his name is "Master" and the same actor later plays the violent cop.

But what I feel is the main drawback is that the characters felt more like symbols than real people.

I would have preferred a more nuanced take on the subject. And the repeated profanities were hard to take after a while.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a presentation of the hopeless, trapped, violent, cop-controlled, expendable lives of young African-American men.

Don't see it if you’re looking for a drama (as opposed to a presentation) about those young African-American men.

Also That sensible people agree with a play’s point of view doesn’t make the play good. PO is thematically grim & honest but dramatically static. Neither the expletive-laced dialogue nor the characters' Vaudeville-like interactions as they prowl the stage nor the predictable climax make up for the paucity of action & drama.
Moses & Kitch bring Waiting for Godot & Exodus to mind, but the comparisons are invidious. Moses wants to pass over, i.e., to get out of the stifling, dehumanizing “there” they live in, to freedom & joy. They are hopelessly trapped-freezing instantly at the sound of police sirens-so that no attempt to pass over is attempted. The play’s energy rises when the white guy shows up to create some much-needed tension; his 4th-wall-breaking ending monologue reveals the play to be the harangue it is. The monologue is the author’s last shot at making sure we know America doesn’t care.
We already know.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy shows exploring class and race.

Don't see it if you're easily offended by harsh language.

Also I see what they are going for but it just didn't work for me. The 3-person scenes had my attention, but I don't think (at least the night I saw it) the 2 characters have enough chemistry to make it believable (even though it's not realism).... Read more Read less

See it if You are prepared to dig really deep or up for the challenge of finding some cohesion to this piece. Grim plays are your thing.

Don't see it if The EXTREME overuse of the “N” word offends or disturbs you. You prefer a play that comes together neatly, logically or with a shred of hope

Also The actors gave it their all but the confusing and fragmented plot left the audience stunned and questioning what it was they saw. Doesn’t it defeat the purpose of a play for you to write something you think is deep but only leaves the audience scratching their head.... Read more Read less