Teenage Dick

See it if you'd like an updated Richard III. Clever plot/char parallels. Gr elevated language, spoken quickly. Wonderful performances/staging. Gr set.

Don't see it if you dislike direct address to audience. Or you want villain to repent. You needn't know RIII, but it enhances TD. Fascinating fun w/bite.

See it if you like re-imaginings of Shakespeare. Great performances and clever staging. Fun and entertaining.

Don't see it if you need your Bard uncooked.

Also This one really works in the set it's placed​ with just enough taken lines taken from the original to make recognizable.... Read more Read less

See it if Fun adaptation of Shakespeare's Richard III. Fast paced story with great characters and performances.

Don't see it if You dislike plays set in high school with teenage characters.

See it if Brilliant! I am not a Shakespeare lover but I loved this. The essence of Richard III. Accessible, funny, poetic, tragic & cruel.

Don't see it if You are not interested in Shakespearean characters in any form. You can’t stand the high school setting. You don’t like dark comedy.

See it if you like comedic riffs on Shakespeare (Richard III set in high school), support diversity in theater (esp. disabled), like acerbic humor

Don't see it if you don't care for any Shakespearean satires, don't like plays about high school, uncomfortable with disabled characters

Also Greg Mozgala and Shannon DeVido are marvelous!

See it if hilariously nails R's power-mad machinations thru HS election, insightfully shows roots R behavior in bullying/selfhatred/exploitn disablty

Don't see it if can only carry parallels btwn R's HS election & bloody rise to be king so far: cleverness turns to jokiness & production runs out steam

See it if you'd like a surprising show that modernizes one of Shakespeare's histories & explodes it to examine its parts through a contemporary lens.

Don't see it if you want to miss out on a cool experience.

See it if you want to see a reimagining and modernized version of Richard 111 with appropriate title; good acting and writing; inclusivity in casting.

Don't see it if you desire a purely Shakespearean script or you have Shakespearean expectations. This is a good modernization with some uneven turns.

See it if You want to see an old theme that takes place in modern day

Don't see it if You are looking for a fluffy happy ending

Also I felt like the play was missing something the entire ride but I was very satisfied by the depressing and messed up ending. I would much rather this than a play that is going in the right direction and then take the easy way out and gives the audience the happy ending... Read more Read less

See it if Want to see a clever and sly reimagining of Richard III w actors who bring a literal authenticity to their roles. Not perfect, but worthy.

Don't see it if Not ok w being made uncomfortable. This one looks at bullying and disabilities from various POV & is fearless in presentation. Also, raunchy

Also Gregg Mozdala and Shannon DeVido are actors to watch. With fantastic comic timing (DeVido) and a nuanced and touching performance by the talented Mozdala, the show transcends.

The dance scene at the Prom is glorious.

However, the overblown ending inexplicably switches tone and seems to come out of nowhere. This almost derails the experience, but the entire play leading up to that is riveting, entertaining, funny, and fine.... Read more Read less

See it if You like contemporary takes on Shakespeare.

Don't see it if You don't like contemporary takes on Shakespeare.

See it if you like playmakers of varied backgrounds engaging w/ the canon & the culture in savvy ways that illuminate the past & present.

Don't see it if your interest in classics is purely antiquarian; you’re turned off by the blurb—which attracts the right audience. Loose adaptation.

Also Going in, I worried it might be too gimmicky. Loved it. Strong cast of 6; each character is indispensable. I only question the use of a loaded word that doesn’t quite make sense in a critical scene. But TD is the rare type of ambitious play that actually achieves all of its ambitions.

Turn tragedy into comedy? Done. Make a history play resonate for today’s attitudes? Done. Cast an iconic role in a way that’s obvious yet uncommon? Done. Avoid predictability and parody? Convert teen movie cliches into complex, relatable perspectives? Enact Richard III’s main motive while commenting on its literary legacy? Done. Done. Done. How did Mike Lew fuse drama’s most notorious quest for recognition w/ the almost unheard-of debates of today’s disabled—while making it as unpretentious and likable as a John Hughes movie? No idea, but it’s also done. Theater bliss.... Read more Read less

See it if you like creative adaptations of Shakespeare with inclusive and clever casting choices. There were profound moments and also funny parts.

Don't see it if you don’t like theater that takes risks particularly with well-known source material or for some reason don’t appreciate diverse casting.

See it if Richard III transformed into a high school drama. Kudos to the Public for casting actors with disabilities. Terrific performances.

Don't see it if Aside from the inclusive casting, not the most original concept.

See it if you like good, meaningful new theater that takes on the issues of disability without resorting to cliche.

Don't see it if you don't like satire and prefer more conventional, safe views of those who are disabled.

See it if a modern take on Shakespeare's Richard III; issues of bullying and the anger that it may result in; people w/disabilities not stereotyped

Don't see it if you don't want plays that go over the top at the end; want Shakespeare in period costume and setting

Also Shannon Devido was so funny as Buck. Despite also having a physical disability she had a very different outlook on life.
A bit of it with the Twitter aspect reminded me of Relevance with Ms. Houdyshell.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a funny, modern take on Richard III. Interesting mix of modern day and Shakespeare speak.

Don't see it if You are a Shakespeare purist or you don’t like overt joking of people with disabilities.

See it if Updated jokes sharp as quills and cyber warfare/fake news to win elections. Supporting Asian American playwright & talented disabled actors.

Don't see it if Abortion / bullying is triggering. Shakespeare not verbatim annoys you.

Also Ticket from online rush on TodayTix for $27.50.

See it if Clever idea transforming Richard III into a high school student. Play has many comedic moments. Small cast gives great performances.

Don't see it if You prefer a more classic version of Richard III.

See it if You like contemporary takes on Shakespeare. You welcome the inclusion of disability and difference in topics and casting -- it's terrific!

Don't see it if Are sensitive to coarse Ianguage or sexual themes.

Also What a bold, fun, entertaining production!

See it if You like Shakespeare or dark comedies. Care about representation in the arts & how we treat people/minorities/villains.

Don't see it if You want a straight adaptation or parody. This self-aware play blurs the lines and jumps around a lot from straight to 4th wall busting.

Also This play attempts to cover a lot of ground and, I think, largely succeeds. It tackles, in no particular order:
- an homage to Shakespeare
- a critique of Shakespeare
- social media use
- the treatment of people with disabilities
all while presenting an original, if conventional, high school drama.... Read more Read less

See it if You have seen Richard III ten times, but are ready for a fresh take. I prefer my Bard with radical twists, and this is smart and fun.

Don't see it if You need your theater to be faultless, this gets bumpy. You like your Mass in Latin, no messing with the saints.

See it if you have seem Richard III & know you are in for a tough ride with no happy ending. Acting is excellent, but story tough.

Don't see it if you want a show with a good resolution & are easily distressed by cruelty.

See it if Funny intelligent imagining of Richard III set in high school with terrific ensemble (2 w disability) expanding and rethinking the text

Don't see it if Can’t imagine why - it is fresh and new and imaginative giving new nuances to the text including bullying and exploring path to vengeance

See it if I didn't expect this to work but it does. It's great! And, like its title, it works on so many different levels. Great ensemble of actors!

Don't see it if Ya gotta love the source material so not for the "I hate Shakespeare" contingent