Public Servant

See it if Touching truth filled play lovingly dealing with family relationships, mental illness, disabilities, wanting to have a child and abortion.

Don't see it if Don’t see it if you are looking for fun and fluff.

See it if If you enjoy small cast and contemporary themes this might appeal to you

Don't see it if You enjoyed the cake and assumed the same author would bring the same wit and smart dialog to this production

See it if You are interested in a play trying to address contemporary issues

Don't see it if Do not expect anything extraordinary, a bit amateurish, predictable

See it if you feel the overall subject matter might appeal.

Don't see it if you want a well-crafted piece of theater.

Also I was very disappointed. The acting was not strong. The lead did not speak clearly. The set was intended to be multi-purpose but simply looked flimsy. There was a theatrical device of having peripheral characters speak with their backs to the audience into microphones but that sound was over-amplified.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a not very original message play about women's rights (abortion) and plight of the middle class (also fertility problems).

Don't see it if You are a theatergoer accustomed to more original, higher-quality off-Broadway productions.

Also I saw this for free. I'd have been pretty upset had I paid 60--or even 30.

TBTB is dedicated to "breaking barriers" and the lead is a competent actor with a disability of some sort. She's good, as is the male actor who plays the commissioner. He was in Gina Gionfriddo's Can You Forgive Her?, which was one of the only plays I've ever thought mediocre (at best) at the wonderful Vineyard Theater theater. He's fine. The young woman is making her off-Bway debut post-Rutgers BFA.

The problem lies in the material. I did not see Cake, but I love This Is Us. I think Bekah Brunstetter is better at TV than that theater, which is lucky for her, as theater leads to poverty and TV leads to real estate in West LA and NYC.

I don't regret seeing it but it's a play that serves only one purpose: to stand up for women's right to determine the fate of their bodies. But no pro-life lunatic is going to see this and be changed. So it's preaching to the choir.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see an entertaining play with strong performances and a compassionate message that is both pro-choice and pro-parenthood.

Don't see it if if you don't like nuanced presentations on these issues

See it if You want to see a one act play that gives you a glimpse into the somewhat challenging world of politics and it's impact on people/community.

Don't see it if Hot button political topics are not of interest to you.

See it if You like slow-paced drama, with little humor. Plays with a germ of an idea that is barely developed. Adequate acting, awkward direction.

Don't see it if You crave a play that makes you think beyond the obvious, acting that finds complexity of a character. You hate pause-inspired performances

See it if you enjoy well acted ensemble pieces, you want your heart touched, you enjoy out of the box well written drama, you want to be entertained.

Don't see it if you only like musicals or broad comedies, you don't like intimate dramatic theater, if you are uncomfortable with discussions of pro-choice.

See it if you enjoy good acting and good interplay between characters. If you like subjects that can be argued and debated.

Don't see it if you need a large cast of characters and are not into subjects that can be politicized.

See it if You are interested in the company Theater Breaking Through Barriers and their efforts to present a play.

Don't see it if you have no tolerance for self indulgent characters who make no significant connection to each other or the audience

See it if you want to see a play which deals with several aspects of politics influenced by personal relationships.

Don't see it if you want a fluffy, feel good experience in the theater.

Also Well acted with some very clever staging. Several themes about local politicians and the relation between the factors that might affect the performance of such a job. Some of the themes although well developed don't feel as if they were completely resolved or given enough attention.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy well written contemporary themed dramas that deal with complicated political issues in a respectful manner.

Don't see it if You prefer frothy comedies or dramas that take a strident point of view.

See it if you will enjoy some strong performances about serious topics (with occasional humor). Despite being slow at the top, it's worth it.

Don't see it if Slow pacing the first few scenes will kill any possible enjoyment for you. It takes longer to develop than it should.

See it if you enjoy good staging and decent acting by an interesting company.

Don't see it if you don't like talky, fraught interpersonal relationships and a civil service overlay. Main character did not project-strained to hear.

See it if You're a fan of 'This is Us' and like stories dealing with morals, family, and politics.

Don't see it if You're a discriminatory person in any way. Actually, do see it. Maybe it will change you.

Also I'm a fan of Bekah Brunstetter's writing, and she does not disappoint. This particular production starts off a little slow, but once it gets going, you find yourself drawn in and empathetic to the characters. Everyone has their own problems, so whose is more important? This is a timely play that will teach you kindness, patience, and not to judge a book by its cover.... Read more Read less

See it if You wanna see singing bland.

Don't see it if You want a full night if theatre

See it if you are interested in the real world of small politics and when slogans clash with life.

Don't see it if You are interested in avantgarde theatre, light comedy or big messages.

See it if An interesting and touchy play with more than an hint to the current abortion debate going on nowadays...Relevant and touchy

Don't see it if You dont care...

See it if you liked Brunstetter's CAKE and respond to the conflict between city and midland values within a family.

Don't see it if you are allergic to naturalism.

See it if You like plays with timely themes

Don't see it if Are rigid in your beliefs

See it if You want a good topical play written by a TV writer.

Don't see it if You want to maybe be more surprised? It's a really solid piece but isn't super riveting.

See it if I found the show to be thought provoking and provocative. It dealt with issues of disability, abortion, marijuana, gerrymandering, etc

Don't see it if If you’re not open and extremely conservative you might not like it.