Socrates

See it if u want to learn about Socrates via "Masterpiece Theatre lite" where speechifying & instruction take center stage over drama & theatricality.

Don't see it if u value emotion, depth, conflict & theatrics over rhetoric & exposition; u don't want to watch an old man wordlessly bathe for 10 minutes.

Also See it if... you want to see a fiery, towering, unforgettable performance by Michael Stuhlbarg as the great Athenian philosopher.... Read more Read less

See it if interested in Greek history, Socrates's life, death & methods, the emergence of Plato as philosopher, plays with many characters

Don't see it if don't like nonlinear non-chronological plots or care about Greek history, confused by actors playing multiple parts with unfamiliar names

See it if Surgically precise dissection of the Greek academic. Stuhlbarg is on a pop-culture roll right now and still chooses the stage. Huge cast.

Don't see it if Intellectual debates.The cast is so large that it resembles figurative gladiators battling it out in a cerebral arena Shakespeare inthe Park

See it if you want to see a tour-de-force performance by Michael Stuhlbarg.

Don't see it if you want to see a play that is only intermittently interesting. The opening scenes are a bit muddled. If you do not like overly talky plays.

Also One problem with Martinson Hall, the theatre where "Socrates" is playing is that the seats are so uncomfortable. The Public Theatre should invest in new seats so that their patrons are comfortable. I will be making an appointment at the chiropractor after sitting in those seats for close to three hours. Torture, indeed!... Read more Read less

See it if you are a philosopher at heart; enjoy verbose, intellectual discourse; Stuhlbarg is absolutely brilliant with a terrific ensemble cast.

Don't see it if First act badly in need of editing; opening scene feels endless; 2nd act is shorter, less wordy, more active & more interesting.

Also As portrayed, the relentless Socrates is one frustrating but lovable man. I don't think I could have sat through one more question, of any sort, on any level.

Great scenic design.... Read more Read less

See it if you're looking for an intelligent play that requires a lot of close attention and thinking. Fantastic performances, relevant themes.

Don't see it if you prefer something more action-packed or have a short attention span. If you find long, wordy and slow plays excruciating.

See it if If you want to see spectacular acting about a very interesting historical figure. A very verbose plays centered around intense dialogue

Don't see it if You want any kind of action or any scene that isn't very heavily dialogue heavy. At nearly 3hrs long, it is a bit exhausting.

See it if you like wordy intellectual plays. The discourse was intelligent but way too much talking.

Don't see it if you think watching a group of smart, privileged men drone on about academic issues is boring.

See it if you enjoy a great debate that never gets properly settled. Michael Stuhlbarg is wonderful.

Don't see it if circular logic, long talky pieces are not your thing

See it if historical drama about the Greek philosopher with multiple examples of his logical arguments to get to truth - what is wisdom, virtue etc.

Don't see it if actors playing more than one role; long & academic first half although second act more human as the play gets closer to his death scene

Also worth it for the amazing performance by Michael Stuhlbarg as Socrates.

See it if You want to combine theater and Intro to Philosophy in a way that is more engaging than college ever was

Don't see it if You need action without being expected to listen carefully and think...but still be entertained

See it if You need to catch up on your Socrates history. This tells the story, in flashback for some reason, but little more.

Don't see it if You'd like to care more about the cranky, principled character and his milieu. You question the acting technique of bursting in&out of anger

See it if Want a talky treatise about Socrates - good actors though.

Don't see it if Need something to actually happen. Too much being talked to. One can fall asleep and wake up 1/2 hour later and not have missed anything.

See it if Interesing play about Socrates'views and effects on Philosophy. Great job by playwright,actor,director,Tim Blake Nelson.Excellent acting.

Don't see it if Subject matter is not of interest to you.Play is 3 hours long and requires a good attention span.

See it if You like to engage with challenging ideas and can let go of plot during this show. You can accept that the world depicted is male only.

Don't see it if A long, talky debate of philosophical concepts is not your thing.

Also Painfully timely exploration of the nature and hypocrisies of democracy. Painterly lighting and stage direction cast a neo-classical mood. Fine acting allows the complex ideas of an irascible character to be as clear as his failures as a human.... Read more Read less

See it if you have admired Socrates & wanted to know more about him. Portrayed by the incomparable Michael Stuhlbarg this is an evening well-spent

Don't see it if You have no interest in philosophy

See it if you like dramas that have almost no humor in them; you want to see a great scene in the second act that involves Socrates' wife

Don't see it if you want a comedy or a fun play; you can't sit through a 3 hour drama

See it if you are interested in philosophy and history or if you want to see a magnificent performance from Michael Stuhlbarg.

Don't see it if you have little patience for very long discussions about big ideas.

See it if a brilliant performance by Michael Stuhlbarg plus an intelligent take on the methods of Socrates can make up for excessive length.

Don't see it if you don't want to see a slow, very long play that is totally cerebral and requires intense listening.

See it if you seek a night of philosophical exposition, with little drama. The only reason to see it is Stuhlbarg, who can breathe life into ANYthing.

Don't see it if This is not much of a play. it's way overlong, esp the excruciating death scene. Many cast members apparently believe acting is shouting.

Also It's a serious study of Socrates' thought, but it isn't theater.

See it if Calling all philosophy majors for a play about the Socratic Method. Wonderful performance by Michael Stuhlbarg in the title role.

Don't see it if Many questions are asked few are answered in the pursuit of Truth. The play is too long and a bit repetitious.

Also Michael Stahlbarg as Socrates keeps this boat afloat. The opening monologue by Alcibiades seems endless, there are too many examples of Socrates' questioning his fellow Athenians, but his role as public gadfly is brilliantly demonstrated and the perils of democracy are there for all to see. I just wish the play was more succinct.... Read more Read less

See it if you know nothing about the man and his philosophy. This is a superficial and obvious vehicle that misses an opportunity to delve into him

Don't see it if you want more than obvious polemics and a rather clumsy attempt to show the parallel with today's political and social scene

See it if you are interested in life and death of Socrates or if you want to see great Michael Stuhlbarg in action.

Don't see it if you are not interested in the historical figure, or can not or do not like to sit through a long play.

See it if you know the story of Socrates and want to hear a vibrant retelling. See it if you do not know the story and want to.

Don't see it if you are bored by philosophers and have no interest in learning more about Athens, the bed of democracy, and Socrates and Plato.

Also The acting was excellent as was the direction.. I thought the first act could have been cut by one argumentative scene. I thought the second act could have been shortened by spending less time on Socrates last bath. But overall, I enjoyed the play. I thought the language used was what I remembered learning in school about Socrates. The play was truthful and honest and seemed to be historically accurate. I recommend this show.... Read more Read less

See it if Michael Stuhlbarg is a very good actor. Socrates is highly political and intense.

Don't see it if Long plays with lots rhetoric and politics turn you off.