Samara

See it if Maxwell's quasi-last frontier (aka death) drama given an intriguing staging by Benson but fails to coalesce into anything linear (intent?)

Don't see it if Mythic themes, great soundscape & fascinating actors provide ample clues towards esistential meaning but to no avail Potent despite artiness

See it if You enjoy poetic pieces with minimal dialogue, conflict, or character development.

Don't see it if You can't stand esoteric, experimental pieces that don't necessarily have a traditional, linear plot structure.

See it if You want to see a show that may be an allegory about what you owe and are owed in life or maybe something else.

Don't see it if You would rather not leave wondering whether it made any sense at all.

See it if you enjoy experimental theater & poetic storytelling. Falls short sometimes, but everything has intention. Not as bad as other reviews say.

Don't see it if You prefer straightforward plays that don't require any thought or analysis. Still a work in progress. The seating is very uncomfortable

See it if This is why I choose off-Broadway. An uncomfortable juxtaposition: insignificant as any one or two lives are, it's incumbent upon us to do.

Don't see it if ...the right things; we know what they are even when we don't want to perform them. Fine commentary on living humanely altho nature is blind

See it if Greek or tragic theatre interests you, you want to explore its expression in a futuristic setting, and you like long monolog and bagpipes.

Don't see it if you prefer light or comedic genre, musicals, interesting sets and music, and clear plot lines, themes and resolution.

See it if poetic stream of consciousness

Don't see it if need narrative or plot

See it if Can't think of anything to recommend this particular show other than it is an ambitious attempt to entertain that ultimately fails totally

Don't see it if You don't want to see something that you might only have imagined during that experimental period of your life in the 60's

See it if You already like the playwright (I forgot that I don't so this is my fault) - it seems consistent with his work.

Don't see it if You want a more straightforward play with more typical staging & seating (as a short person, my second-level seat was uncomfortable).

See it if You really enjoy avant-garde work and you're more interested in the script than the performances.

Don't see it if You prefer linear plots, elements that fit together, or are looking for strong, memorable performances.

See it if you like great, but very simple sets and staging; a fantastic, haunting score; and Steve Earle narrating.

Don't see it if you don't like interpretting obtuse dialogue and narration.

See it if you're interested in experiments, you don't mind or actively seek to be confused, frustrated and intrigued.

Don't see it if you need a legible narrative and soft comfy seats (though pillows on the crates were not so bad). Note that the play is 90 min, not 50.

Also While I sympathize with all the scathing reviews here I really don't think this was all that horrible. Granted, this is not, nor is it trying to be, a plot-driven story. A clearly discernible plot is there all right but it's used mostly as the skeleton to put the meat and sinews on. The staging creates a rather convincing mood of emotional detachment and angst, with characters talking past each other with no possibility of getting through. The acting is mostly on point if not particularly overwhelming, the exception being Jasper Newell, who's downright atrocious. Overall, this was a respectable effort at something, even if I'm not sure what that something was.... Read more Read less

See it if you appreciate the more technical aspects of theatre. Very interesting staging, lighting, costuming, and music.

Don't see it if you look for some sort of definitive plot line with a conclusive ending. The writing for this show could have been developed further.

See it if you want to be confused for 80 minutes that feels like 4 hours.

Don't see it if you value your sanity

See it if You are looking for something abstract/different/challenging. You enjoy new kinds of music in theatre.

Don't see it if You're looking for a clear message/plot/characters/setting. You're looking for something classical or show-stopping.

Also I was incredibly bored through almost all of the piece. Steve Earle is not a great voice actor and didn't add much to the show for me. His prerecorded scene was the best, but that's not saying much. I found the music intriguing and appropriate, but it's not enough to save the confusing mess of a story that goes no where despite it's voyaging theme.... Read more Read less

See it if You're a fan of simple intelligent writing set up in an unapolegetic box.

Don't see it if You only watch with your eyes.

Also Very well written, but would have been perfect if not for some acting flaws - primarily on the young kid they casted.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoyed Cormack McCarthy's novels and feel like more of the same in the experimental theater setting. Also, if you love Paul Lazar.

Don't see it if you need your theater linear, your characters true to life, and your staging traditional.

Also I can't understand why so much vitriol in the negative reviews here! SAMARA is a solid piece of experimental theater, a bit of a companion piece for "Blood Meridian," a bit of a strange fairy tale. Not being a Richard Maxwell fan, I must say I enjoyed this production aptly directed by Sarah Benson much more than I did his previous works. Casting for the piece is spot-on, and the inventive staging and beautiful music add to a quite satisfactory theatrical dish. Then again, if you put me in one room with Paul Lazar reading The New York Times from two weeks ago I'll go home delighted...... Read more Read less

See it if you appreciate challenging material, poetic language, unusual staging.

Don't see it if you prefer linear narrative theatre, don't like Steve Earle or require comfortable seating.

See it if S0 slow, boring and does not make sense.

Don't see it if You don't want to get bored.

See it if You support Soho Rep and enjoy innovative theatre.

Don't see it if You care about being comfortable: the WORST seating of any theater I've been in in decades.

See it if experimental plays are your cup of tea. Story is slow that makes you wonder why they didnt condense it to show more of the characters story

Don't see it if experimental plays are your cup of tea. Story is slow that makes you wonder why they didnt condense it to show more of the characters story

See it if The show used great tactics from ancient theatre and the minimalistic set was astetically pleasing. You were inside the set.

Don't see it if You do not like stories that have sub stories. Also if you do not like theatre similar to how the Greeks produced it.

See it if You are familiar with (and a fan of) Maxwell's work. If you enjoy non-traditional staging and text that takes itself very seriously.

Don't see it if You are familiar with Maxwell's work and not a fan. You have any physical problems with sitting on uncomfortable chairs.

Also Even with Sarah Benson behind the wheel, Maxwell's work is obvious and if that's your thing, you'll love this. If not, avoid. The text is ambitious, feigning to pose questions about existence and the perseverance of man, but the result is uneven and preachy. The seating configuration is next level uncomfortable, and the seats on the back row should be avoided by tall patrons.... Read more Read less

See it if You can understand what its about...

Don't see it if You want to know why it exists.

See it if you want to see a fairly standard Annie B. Parson dance number and a run through of the lighting cues close out this disappointing show.

Don't see it if you dont want to see how so many great artists- Maxwell, Benson, Earle, Lazar, Faudree, Frey... seem to amplify each others' weaknesses.