The Beyonce

See it if You remember how it felt to be young and everyone told you how your life was going to turn out or perhaps more importantly...if you don’t.

Don't see it if If you don’t like sweet, sentimental stories. This ones a little bit quirky. Starts off a little slow but I thought it WELL worth the wait.

See it if If your a fan of Chekhov work with a twist. A nice way to bring forth his writings. Well thought out.

Don't see it if If you nothing about the writer or if new works are not for you.

See it if Loved acting of newcomer Regan Sims and veteran Roger Manix. Intimate space. Love traverse seating. Checkhovian take. 78 minutes. see mor

Don't see it if 78 minutes. Forget Beyonce, Hard to get to theater via public transportation..

Also Actors handle the two sided seating amazingly well. (a major task)
Love the elevator... Read more Read less

See it if Bent joins Chekhovian tropes & millennial aspirations to create a whimsical take on marriage Well acted & humorous w/ a great set piece

Don't see it if Non familiarity w/Chekhov's works will hinder appreciation (esp w/character of Sasha) Often a bit slow with Bent's story line going adrift

See it if you'd like to see a Chekhovian examination of the texture of everyday life that feels at the same time formally fresh.

Don't see it if you want your Chekhovian dramas straight -- & free of contemporary American intrusions.

Also Eliza Bent’s “Beyoncé” manages to be hip & likable at the same time. The playwright injects a quintessentially Chekhovian short story into what feels like contemporary middle America, and keeps it all clear & engaging & sad & hopeful for the future as the central character, a young woman on the verge of the rest of her life, strives to avoid being stuck in a life that other people have designed for her. All the large cast is very strong. Regan Sims in the central role, her NYC debut, is quietly luminous. Let’s see her again soon!... Read more Read less

See it if You like imaginative reworking of old classics.

Don't see it if If you don't like reworking of old classics.

See it if you are looking for a Chekhov update. Still has the feel of Chekhov but with modern references. Enjoyable performances.

Don't see it if it bothers you when a classic is messed with.

See it if I love Beyoncé; I went to the "On the Run II" tour, last night, and decided to continue my weekend with her. It was cute. There's only about

Don't see it if 1 total minute of reference to Beyoncé, but, I caught several inferences pertaining to her, and the interlude music was from her catalogue.

Also I think the use of her name made her fans show up to this play, however, it was actually executed well. The portmanteau, of sorts, with "The fiancé " and "Beyoncé" was calculating. It helped that the leading actress- "Nadia" - seemingly fit into a resemblance of Beyoncé's kinfolk. It was funny, some holes, but, well-acted. There's no real reason for people not to see this, however, I truly believe people came trying to see how one can incorporate Beyoncé into a Russian play.... Read more Read less

See it if Well crafted mix of contemporary and historical references - and narrative and dialogue sections. Great staging. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Don't see it if This is budget theater but really well done with some good to great performances (esp Mannix)

Also This is one of those shows where you fall into the rhythm very quickly and comfortably but still enjoy something a bit different.... Read more Read less

See it if If you like Anton checkov. The first act felt like a plot and then it was mostly epilogue. The twist I didn’t agree with much.

Don't see it if You prefer leads with more morals who are not selfish. Also if you don’t like anti-society or screw everyone be happy ways of thought

See it if you want to support a scrappy company that usually does adventurous work; to see how tricky it is to dramatize Chekhov stories & update him

Don't see it if uneven tone, cast & acting abilities grate; you're bothered by updatings that don't find realistic/illuminating correlations with original

Also Bent is an able playwright who here seems to run out of steam in the crucial last quarter of her tale, when she settles for narrative chamber theatre, rather than dramatization, with characters speaking their thoughts directly to the audience. Admittedly her source material is resistant to staging, but what's lacking here is a theatrical purpose for these Chekhovian sad sacks. Even their inaction has to be active in order for a dramatic adaptation not to lapse into the lassitude in which the characters find themselves mired. The master himself struggled with the obstacles to making indecision and indirection viable as drama. Still, there are amusing moments when the characters show some awareness of their self-dramatization. Some performances--notably Maggie Lally & Roger Manix--are more successful than others at navigating the balance between comedy and pathos, without veering into the ridiculous.... Read more Read less

See it if I do congratulate the actors for an excellent performance. I personally do not think that the original story by Anton Chekhov called

Don't see it if if you do not like off off Broadway theatre.

Also The Fiancée can be adapted or reinterpreted as a short play.

See it if you want to see a semi-modernized piece inspired by one of Chekhov's short stories that does a good job capturing the sense of ennui.

Don't see it if you want to see a connected, coherent, thought-provoking play. Some solid moments, but overall disjointed and ensemble lacked cohesion.

See it if you want to see a new play. The lead does a commendable job.

Don't see it if You want to see anything that provides insight. The play is 'bumpy' and uninspired. Sorry - nothing like Chekov.

See it if you enjoy the witty, introspective voice of Eliza Bent, like Beyonce covers, or Dave Malloy impressions

Don't see it if you REALLY like Chekhov and don't want to see his work re-interpreted and subverted, or if you have an aversion to seeing furniture onstage.

Also This show had many Beyonce covers. This show had many pieces of furniture. This show features a lead actress who is really just doing an Eliza Bent impression because Eliza Bent's voice is so strong that it's difficult to hide it within the text of a larger play. And that's not necessarily a problem. It's quite enjoyable. But I couldn't help but think that I'd rather be watching a new solo-piece. However, the cast, particularly its lead and man who seemed to be doing an impression of Andy Dick doing an impression of Dave Malloy were delightful. Direction is flat.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a newer take on an older play. You are friends with someone in the cast. You like quirky productions.

Don't see it if You want consistent acting (some of the performers really over act in a bad way - more than the part needs). You want to have emotions...

Also It was a good effort but I just kept checking my watch. Some of the actors did a great job while others over acted like you would expect in a mid west dinner theater production. I had no emotional connection to any of the characters. Is that the fault of the play or actors... Who knows?! What I will say is that I really wanted to enjoy it as much as the others in the audience. However, at curtain it was clear there where a lot of friends and family present. It wasn't bad, but not for me.... Read more Read less

See it if You like modern reworkings of classic pieces. You are interested in supporting a show by a talented, but inexperienced team.

Don't see it if This play feels all over the place. The playwright seems to have too many ideas, and only about half work.

Also I was hoping for a fun, quirky and poignant production. At times, it was that. Regan Sims and Roger Manix are fine actors, and have good chemistry with each other. Their scenes together are always engaging. Too many elements of the story, however, do not make sense, including the title, which is only briefly explained and seems to relate to nothing. Some of the acting is downright awful. In part due to the acting, only Sasha and Nadia feel like genuine people. The occasional switch to third person became increasingly irritating, and took me out of the story. This play feels like the work of a talented playwright still learning her craft. It would have been more successful had its aims been more modest.... Read more Read less

See it if You like a story telling style of show, a different version of runaway bride. Some funny and yet truthful moments, light but memorable.

Don't see it if You want to be overwhelmed by big production.

See it if You are intrigued by a modern spin on a classic Chekhov story and like to support small companies.

Don't see it if You are looking for a brilliant, polished, or compelling work. This show is very uneven.

Also Despite good performances by Regan Sims and Roger Manix, this play was amateurish and uninspired. Though short, it was very slow. The supporting cast members were not engaging or convincing. The overall effect, for me, was “meh.” Without the lead performances to carry it, it would have been excruciating.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy small productions with talented ensemble cast particularly the 2 leads and want to support new work

Don't see it if You don’t want to see Chekhov translated into a contemporary story or if you are expecting this to have anything to do with Beyonce.

See it if you like modern adaptations of classic stories and/or supporting small theatre companies and new plays

Don't see it if you aren’t fond of Chekov in any format or are expecting a play about the actual Beyoncé

Also Eliza Bent has done a fine job at adapting and modernising this Chekov short story. It’s a quirky tale with a relatable and strong heroine at its center (a delightful Regan Sims). I also particularly liked Roger Manix and Maggie Low. It’s a mostly strong ensemble, with two woefully miscast exceptions, but they all function well together to tell this 75 min tale. The Beyoncé references are cute, and the Russian folk-a-fied versions of her songs provide charming accompaniment. It’s an uneven evening, but an ultimately humerous and thoughtful one. Worth taking a chance on.... Read more Read less

See it if A modern, amusing take on a Chekhov story is appealing

Don't see it if You don't like modern adaptations and don't feel like laughing. It's really quite funny and mostly well-acted

See it if You like modernized and humorized Chekhov with a well-acted cast that keeps you engaged

Don't see it if You don't like clever reinterpretations of classics

See it if You like a simple yet intelligent play. It’s a serious play but there are some very funny moments.

Don't see it if You expect to fall in love with the characters.

See it if You have moved off to NYC because you felt you wanted more in your life than what your small hometown had to offer

Don't see it if You lead a very dull existence and prefer it that way

Also I absolutely loved this play . It was like looking at my own life . So relatable. Great performances by all the actors. Great writing and simply a wonderful little show ! The theater is fantastic as well .... Read more Read less