Summer Shorts 2019: Series A

See it if you want to see 3 loosely connected 1-acts about our obsession with death/illness/suicide, all well-acted & well-staged with mixed results.

Don't see it if ur looking for a full-length narrative or some lite summer fare. [Despite the death theme, it's still an engrossing & entertaining 90 min.]

See it if On-death-and-dying triptych. Some bad news conveyed, then an attempted leap, and then, a couple addicted to feeling ill sing "Take On Me."

Don't see it if That rarity in an evening of shorts--All are duds. Or as they put it:"Something marches inexorably toward us." Exactly that.

See it if The theme running through the series is death and the playwrights and actors handle the topic with grace, humor and respect.

Don't see it if you do not like short plays performed back to back; you prefer large, colorful productions. Don't let the topic scare you away, well done.

See it if You are willing to sit through two one act plays that are not very good but you do get the pay off of the one in the middle being great

Don't see it if If you are not interested in seeing three plays that all deal with sad and unfortunate situations

Also Here are my individual scores for each of the three
Interior. 50
The bridge play. 80
Here I lie. 29
Interior The first one had some great acting and some really nice moments but it just didn’t feel like even a one act play. Something else needed to happen it was very incomplete

Bridge The second one is the best of all six shows in both Series. You kind of knew from the very beginning what was going to happen but it was nice to watch the whole thing unfold and it ended with a very tender moment

Here I lie was my least favorite of the six. I had no problem with any of the acting but I just don’t like monologues. Even though there are two characters in this play they didn’t really interact with one another it was more like they were taking turns talking about their individual situations and that is just not my thing... Read more Read less

See it if you like one-act plays and aren't put off by the theme of death. None of the three plays hits the mark.

Don't see it if you are looking for something original or stirring.

Also The Payne play is evocative, the Trzcinski is fluff, and the Baron play is a mess.... Read more Read less

See it if You want a selection of plays with some interesting ideas and quality actors scattered throughout.

Don't see it if You don't want the good moments to be tarnished by some very dull writing and flat acting in other parts of the shows.

See it if you like shorts of varying quality. 1st is tedious, 2nd somewhat disappointing, 3rd very odd but absorbing & disturbing. A mixed bag.

Don't see it if you prefer a full-length play or aren't interested in challenging or potentially disturbing material.

See it if Your attention span is limited and you like short plays with serious themes.

Don't see it if You dislike plays that are depressing and deal with death, illness, and depression involving self-indulgent characters.

Also I have been attending the short plays at 59 E. 59 for many seasons, and this year’s series A was the most disappointing. I disliked the first and third intensely; the second was just okay.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a show with great acting. The performers were great. The middle show was written well.

Don't see it if You are expecting great scripts. Two of the shows seem to be written with the idea that they are deep and profound, but really miss the mark

See it if You want to be transported by exceptional actors and can hardly wait to debrief with those you shared it with. The Bridge: exceptional!

Don't see it if You don't like short plays! It can be disappointing to get wrapped up in characters & have it end so much sooner than you wish!

See it if you like experimental theater, support small artists, and don't mind seeing three plays with similar themes

Don't see it if you don't like to take a gamble on small artists - when going in you know that not all three will be great.

See it if you like one acts.These are all quite interesting & very well done.Acting, as always, is very, very good. I look forward to these every year

Don't see it if you want a Bway musical.These are quirky/serious/interesting looks at relationships and personalities.I love the short form.

See it if you can enjoy 2 excellent out of 3 short one act plays about confronting or contemplating death, tolerate the 3rd: confusing, poor developed

Don't see it if you cannot sit 90 min. in uncomfortable seat w/o interval, prefer light drama, comedy, musicals, or longer, fully developed play/more sets

Also The concept of similarly themed short plays performed as one show permits experiencing more actors in more scenarios in less time, and promotes development of more experimental and important theatre. These kinds of shows deserve strong audience support.... Read more Read less

See it if Three short plays that make for a nice evening, though the theme isn't cheery although The Bridge Play has a lighter touch. Worth the price.

Don't see it if What's become a 59E59 tradition and summer highlight has no appeal for you.

See it if you like short dramatic plays centered around a theme. In this case, death and its meaning in relation to life.

Don't see it if you want a full length play or something on the light side.

Also Three short plays with varying success although none of them are worse than good. I feel they were all well written and acted although you might react to them differently because the styles are quite varied. Really worth a look see at this continuing series which will also have a second B part very soon.... Read more Read less