See it if You enjoy a fresh take on youth, angst, overcoming adversity and selflessness.
Don't see it if Faith based motivation doesn't ring true for you. A bit heavy handed on turning to faith.
See it if Faith-based & Bible-centric swiftly-paced parable of boy's alienation to prove his devotion through works, actions & deeds. Capable Keen Co.
Don't see it if Only for those who hear and create a joyful noise. Profanity."If you're poor and black, you're useless, as far as this world is concerned." Read more
See it if You believe we are all responsible for each other, believe that faith can be healing,
Don't see it if Physical and mental abuse are triggers. Read more
See it if great acting and insights into a shy 6th grader who is smarter than his teacher & kinder than most children & adults; fine morality story.
Don't see it if can't get past a nineteen yr. old playing a 6th grader; set is uninspiring but practical; abrupt ending-is it over? Could have gone deeper. Read more
See it if You like a small talented cast, although, some better than others. The lead is very believable as a 12-year old outcasted and abused boy. It
Don't see it if Has religious and secular elements, which are good. Use of offstage (projected) voices was good. There's some cussing, some preaching. It's Read more
See it if You like quick short scenes strung together in an interesting way on stage. Never felt bogged down by multiple scene changes.
Don't see it if You don’t like to try new directing styles. This might be called the A.D.D. style but I think it worked. Read more
See it if You like stories about doing the right things. Especially as a young mind, it could be difficult as you are played by others' rules. đź‘Ť
Don't see it if You are easily agitated or aggravated by wrong doing. Or you simply crave for bigger stage or production. Read more
See it if you, like me, long for kindness to prevail in this era of anger & meanness. All of the performances are very good.Story is good, if overdone
Don't see it if you want a fast moving narrative.Staging is a bit clunky.Characters need more development and less movement.
"Hutchinson’s plot brims with potential power. However, the characters never develop beyond sketches...The powerful message of compassion lacks emotional connection, and often times comes off preachy...Director Jessi D. Hill’s static and monotonous pacing makes the proceedings feel more like a staged reading rather than a fully realized performance...Keen Company’s latest production requires mercy, indeed."
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"Slim, clumsily constructed, but ultimately heartwarming…Plays out like an after-school special...However instructive its lesson may be, the play can't escape feeling like a morality play packaged in giftwrap…With so much furniture cluttering the stage, we get an inescapably amateurish, on-the-cheap look, like a high school production…Pacing, timing, and interpersonal dynamics are off, with perhaps the biggest problem being how dully flat are the many transitions."
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"A resolution/rescue whose lack of complication is the sole unbelievable, disappointing part of the well written piece. (This could be fixed.) Characters sound right, genuine in speech and attitude. Relationships are well defined. Positive take on religion winds through the piece offering ballast to a rocky life. Barely out of school, in his Off Broadway debut, Jay Mazcyk is an absolute find."
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"Nothing if not sincere and well-meaning, but the characters are drawn with such broad strokes, it is difficult to connect emotionally with them...More problematically, many of the plot points strain credibility...Even audience members who do not identify as Christian would most likely agree that 'Surely Goodness and Mercy' has an important message to impart. The vessel in which it is delivered, though, is not entirely commanding and persuasive."
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"An uplifting present-day parable about the triumph of human kindness and generosity in a harsh world filled with challenges and pain. Incisively written, potently directed...and impeccably delivered by a superb cast of five, it is poignant and funny, heartwarming and heartrending, engaging and relevant, and thoroughly compelling...A hopeful story with an inspiring moral that fits perfectly with Keen’s mission...Outstanding and moving production.”
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"The story unwinds in a forthright, unsentimental manner, in a series of short scenes with colorful dialogue...Keen Company deserves credit for bringing to New York this rather gentle, uplifting work, depicting African Americans living life without guns, drugs and racist police or pimps on every corner. Unfortunately, it’s given the play a problematic production, marked by a notable gaffe in casting...Nevertheless, 'Surely, Goodness and Mercy' deserves to be seen."
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“The play’s execution is enjoyable, though some of Savage’s set design choices appear cluttered and can be somewhat distracting...Also distracting are the multiple voiceovers delivering major dialogue and monologues throughout the play. It takes one out of the story...All in all, 'Surely Goodness and Mercy' is a worthwhile piece to witness, not least because of the strong performances from Mazyck and Pressley, and the several cathartic moments the playwright delivers."
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