After a hit run at The Bushwick Starr, Kate Benson's surreal play about the patrons of a local bar in a gentrifying neighborhood transfers to the WP Theater. More…
A woman walks into a bar. Her name is Porto. She’s a regular. She likes this bar: serious food, serious wine, serious bartender–a staple in a gentrifying Brooklyn neighborhood. Her friends, her wine, and her artisanal snacks are there; her doubts about being a modern woman are put on snooze. A handsome stranger walks in and orders something special. Disruption ensues: an upside-down romantic comedy unfolds inside and outside her head. Desires of all kinds are awakened with a ferocious thump. A nice smile is a nice smile, but can we enjoy the sausage once we know how it’s made?
See it if Usual 'single, intelligent woman in urban jungle' tale gets a funny, hipster spin Comic situations with a dark ironic twist in boho Brooklyn
Don't see it if Omnipresent vocal consciousness (the author) may not appeal to some; dark tone at times harsh but lovely Sirna-Frest gets us over bumps
See it if you'd enjoy a wry take on how hip, straight, not-so-young anymore Brooklynites meet, sniff each other out &, when the planets align, mate.
Don't see it if you want a piece that transcends the local & the everyday, or have an aversion to mild challenges to traditional dramatic form.
Also Across the board–writing, directing, performing, design–this is an imp... Read more Read less
See it if youu like some good acting, a great set, a theater that you be "there"and some interesting ideas to ponder.
Don't see it if if you cannot handle a double set of stairs after the elevator .... altough, if you indicate a problem, there is an entrance on level 3
See it if you support the Women's Project & new work, enjoy the inner voices of women dealing with contemporary dating scene & societal expectations
Don't see it if constant narration (live by the author!) turns you off, don't like repetitive anxieties & humiliations about relationships or self-loathers
See it if looking for a well-written romantic comedy with a pessimistic view set in a trendy Brooklyn bar.
Don't see it if you believe love can survive or your perspective is not female-sensitive.
See it if You want to see a play with a unique structure and storytelling format. Feminist themes. Jokes about Brooklyn. Nice set!
Don't see it if if you want a coherent play. I enjoyed the first half of the play much more than the second half.
Also I try to see everything at the WP theater. I am a big fan of their wor... Read more Read less
See it if Slightly meta update of a girl & a guy in a bar with plenty of literary references & affectionate mocking of Brooklyn hipsters. Great set...
Don't see it if smart writing, comfortable actors. Maybe not for those who love a big play or musical, but off-Broadway excellence.
See it if If you want to see the stereotypes so prevalent in dramas set in bars updating for current times, and an example of how feminism failed.
Don't see it if you don't like plays centered around a bar, or if you are tired of plays about women and their plight in modern times.
Also Porto translates from Latin as I CARRY, and knowing that, you understa... Read more Read less
See it if slow moving, “watching paint dry”, and a personal disgust for life is the kind of thing you enjoy seeing on stage.
Don't see it if slow moving, “watching paint dry”, and a real loathing for personal growth is not the kind of thing you enjoy seeing on stage
Also I kept waiting for something interesting to happen on stage and yet th... Read more Read less
See it if You enjoy poetic theatre about the romantic struggles of Brooklyn 20-30 somethings.
Don't see it if You want to care about what happens onstage.
See it if you enjoy format-busting plays full of ideas. You like being consistently surprised and delighted.
Don't see it if you don't consider the issues facing young urban women to be worth exploring
See it if you like Benson's quirky voice (literally: she speaks the voiceovers that direct and describe the action); you appreciate light surrealism
Don't see it if you find Boho Brooklyn and its habitués annoying; you find whimsicality wearing
Also Lee Sunday Evans directs this material with a sure hand that keeps the... Read more Read less
See it if you like urban hipster angst.
Don't see it if you hate self aware pretentiousness.
See it if You like gimmicks in your theater.
Don't see it if You want an adult show.
See it if Enjoy absurdist interludes (by far best parts) with your hipster self-mocking. Like shows about real-world, "average" protagonists
Don't see it if Looking for representational show presented straight, with characters that inspire more emotion than sardonic recognition
See it if you want to see a great set, good actors, enjoy a few interesting and thought provoking moments but more of a meditation not dramatic
Don't see it if you hate narrators controlling the action or lack of action. Way too much narration with actors standing there looking out.
See it if you are a single millennial woman
Don't see it if you are confused easily
See it if you enjoyed Lena Dunham's GIRLS or other plays/movies/TV shows about single professionals in Brooklyn.
Don't see it if you're hoping for new insight or an intense theatrical experience.
Also Lots of creative and clever parts don't add up to a satisfying whole. ... Read more Read less
See it if This show has a "voice," literally. It has something to say. The production couldn't be better.
Don't see it if The show may appeal most now to port-drinking Brooklyn millenials. It's of its time and place, but I believe it'll age well.
See it if The perspective of millennials is of interest; you appreciate a unique theatrical presentation; you value a beautiful and unique stage set
Don't see it if You would not respond to a more intellectualized approach to an emotional subject; you want something conventional
Also This play resonated for me more deeply after it was over rather than w... Read more Read less
See it if You are interested and off and off off Broadway productions. And/or modern dating.
Don't see it if You prefer big Broadway production productions.
See it if you want to see a millennial-ish commentary on millennials.
Don't see it if a millennial-ish commentary on millennials would leave you with little deep insight.
See it if you like new writers and have been to a bar in BedStuy
Don't see it if you prefer traditionally old stories
See it if something modern and edgy and you like characters that are honest. Clever staging as well.
Don't see it if a story like that makes complete sense or you don't like direct address.
See it if Have nothing else to do & have a free ticket.
Don't see it if You want true theatre for 90 minutes.