The House That Will Not Stand

See it if Creole family in 1813 New Orleans copes with changes in the system of “placage”. Perspectives on freedom and independence by age & race.

Don't see it if You don’t enjoy historical fiction. You don’t want to see a matriarchal family drama.

See it if you appreciate themes of race, gender, and independence. They’re woven throughout beautifully, neither one detracting from the other.

Don't see it if you don’t like female-centric stories. That said, the themes are universal, though are told through the lens of the black female experience.

See it if Some amazing performances. Gorgeous set and costumes. A very moving adaptation of Lorca moved to New Orleans after the Purchase.

Don't see it if The Southern accented English for characters that should be speaking French was an anachronism that bothered me a little bit.

See it if a well done dissection of a unique time in the South exploring multiple takes on what is/isnt freedom in a changing Creole world is of...

Don't see it if You cannot commit to the slowly evolving pace. Are troubled by portrayals of slavery. Do not like complicated protagonists.

Also interest. The indomitable matriarch accustomed to ruling her home. The opportunistic slave who stirs the plot constantly changing allegiances. The bitter, vengeful woman.
There is an entire world created here, at times it is chilling as in the "mundane" discussions of slavery, gradations of slavery and the changing world as New Orleans becomes part of the US.
As I saw it in previews it was not yet tight, dialog was at times slow. The first act dragged with exposition and the acting was uneven. Every time I became engrossed, a change of scene heralded a drop in energy. I found the initial introduction to the sisters boring.... Read more Read less

See it if you like interesting story lines, characters and some smart dialogue

Don't see it if you don't like plays that are uneven, more like a work in progress.

See it if 18th cent. Louisiana - how women of color in common law 'placage' relationships with white men were affected after the Louisiana Purchase

Don't see it if not interested in historical dramas about racism; matriarchal households; play that has much going on so some characters undeveloped

Also I did not know about 'Placage' where white men & colored women set up common-law households & how that changed when Louisiana became part of US. Found that fascinating.
But there were many other parts to the play including daughters living under a domineering mother (some parts based on Lorca's book The House of Bernarda Alba). So some characters not developed.
Most of time the acting was great although that could be uneven at times.... Read more Read less

See it if One of my favorite things I've seen at NYTW based on the sheer talent and quality of the production. The story resonates heavily today.

Don't see it if your attention span only lasts 90 minutes. This story is compelling and requires your undivided attention.

See it if One of the best dramas that I have seen in 2017-2018 season. Brava to the 7 amazing women in this powerful play. Loved it! Loved it!

Don't see it if There is no good reason not to see this captivating play.

See it if Great performances, wonderful set, moments of genius, good script. You've seen the Garcia Lorca play it's riffing on (I sadly have not)

Don't see it if A bit long, seems unfocused or undecided on what kind of play it wants to be. Veers between family drama, magic, social commentary quickly.

See it if you find anything about the early 19 century history of New Orleans interesting.

Don't see it if you don't find a a play set in 19 century New Orleans about seven black woman interesting. SHAME ON YOU!!!!

Also Being that I am originally from New Orleans, I was expecting to hear some bad New Orleans accents and to my surprise there were none. This play really captured the history and essence of the black women of 19 century New Orleans and their relevance still to current day New Orleans history.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy plays that explore little known historical facts in an entertaining yet relevant drama.

Don't see it if You cannot forgive a few weaker acting performances.

See it if You love a great monologue. One monologue blew the audience away causing applause mid act. Worth seeing to just experience that monologue.

Don't see it if You don’t care for florid language and melodramatic characters. That’s me but I did enjoy this play. Give it a chance to work it’s magic.

See it if Thoughtful and often humorous study of slavery, male domination, and family politics circa 1803 aka the present. Well done.

Don't see it if It's not a musical. There are no male actors. At bottom it's very serious business, and we are all culpable.

Also Interesting premise, free-wheeling French New Orleans about to be purchased by slave-holding United States. What's to become of free people of color in the South? Based loosely on Lorca's "House of Bernado Alba" the all black , all female cast speaks to us of frustration and injustice.Shout out to Harriet Foy as Makeda the "voodoo" maid who lets rip with a rousing turn at the finale.... Read more Read less

See it if The idea of women's enslavement is a compelling one and should be showcased but with the exception of Mahita, the slave, the actresses fail

Don't see it if Diction is poor and the words are often lost in dialect strange for proud Creole women There is little nuance or complexity to characters

See it if you are interested in diving into a lesser-known aspect of history through the framework of a dysfunctional family drama.

Don't see it if you tune out when there are elements that are more mystical in nature, such as ghosts, possession, séances, etc. Integral to the story.

See it if you want to see a talented ensemble cast of strong women. Every cast member impresses.

Don't see it if you don't like unconventional shows that make you think. This is an emotional and deeply felt piece - but one that also requires attention.

See it if you appreciate an all women of color cast who paint a vivid story full of strong characters, history, and vibrant dialogue. Breathtaking!

Don't see it if you can't relate to history and how it affects us today. Or you prefer action to dialogue.

See it if you like a beautiful production

Don't see it if idkkkkkk, this reviewing formate stresses me out

See it if you're an American history buff, particularly fascinated by the past of Antebellum New Orleans.

Don't see it if you're expecting Lorca's "The House of Bernarda Alba" for while there are plenty of parallels, this script has its own intents and devices.

See it if You are interested in shows based in history, learning about the experiences of black women post-slavery, excellent ensemble dynamics

Don't see it if Not interested in a historical experience of black women in the South and color politics, don’t care for hints at the supernatural,

See it if you appreciate an all women of color cast. Learning some history that is relevant today.

Don't see it if you are not paying attention to the multiple threads. If you don't like delving into feminist, racial or class themes.

Also I loved this play. I am familiar with the play it borrows from - The House of Bernarda Alba. The playwright took this to greater heights and purpose. I learned something from this play that I had no idea about in 18th century NOLA. The acting and directing and staying were superb.... Read more Read less

See it if you seek out serious, well crafted plays that explore unusual and significant subject matter

Don't see it if the time and place do not appeal to you

Also I was up early for a full day of work and I got to the theater that evening with my head more cloudy than I would have wanted it to be but I will be damned if this play did not slap me to attention and intrigue me and fascinate me until the final fade out. I had never heard of the construct of placage so I was open to learning more about this time in American history. Although everything in the play seems exaggerated just short of camp, the historical context is not undermined by the streetwise 21st century manner that the characters throw shade at each other. (This was not the case, for me, with Sugar in Our Wounds where the set up did not match the historical context). This is a gorgeous production in an intimate theater. The story that unravels has equal parts realism, magic and mysticism without losing its focus nor its respect for the time that it is portraying. The cast is uniformly excellent - all women of color (how often does that happen?). Is there an Obie for Ms. Foy?... Read more Read less

See it if You'd like a complex story of women's lives in New Orleans where skin color is a caste system. A beautiful rendition of a time about to go.

Don't see it if You don't want to follow the intertwined lives of the characters -- and spirits as well. Don't like period dramas, even if relevant today.

See it if you enjoy dramas based on historical facts. Story takes place in New Orleans on the cusp of America's purchase from France.

Don't see it if you don't appreciate an all-female cast. are squeamish as a "corpse" is on stage, in the background, the entire time.

See it if you value women's stories and smart riffs on literary classics. Really funny and moving story of free women of color during US slavery

Don't see it if you need short plays or musicals or dont like thinking about America's troubled racial and gender-discriminating history.