The Independents

See it if Passionate artistic discourse motivates young femme USA artist to defend her choices to older French impressionist arbiter.

Don't see it if Like a lackadaisical mill through an art gallery, the enjoyment depends upon set pace and prior knowledge. Just a pleasant passage of time.

Also Title refers to another name for "the impressionists."

See it if You want to see some reproductions of Cassatt's paintings.

Don't see it if You want to learn much of anything about these artists, or the independents. The acceptance of Americans in Paris. The acceptance of women

Also This was just dreadful. But not insufferable. It was not difficult to sit through.... Read more Read less

See it if You're familiar with artists Mary Cassatt and Edgar Degas. I did not know they'd been friends. Gossipy quips about their contemporaries.

Don't see it if You're unfamiliar w/ Impressionist &Independent artists, uninterested in them. If you do not recognize names mentioned it might be dull.

See it if you are interested in the place of women in art and wish to know more about the relationship between Cassatt and Degas.

Don't see it if you do not care for the lives of painters or about the constraints put on women to achieve recognition as artists.

See it if Uwant to see what happens when an independent Am artist meets a Fr artist in Paris.Does the connection run smoothly?Does love blossom ?MORE

Don't see it if 90 mins w intermission bothers U; the focus on Art and the personal relation between the Impressionists Degas&Cassat is too limited for you.

Also How do the artists benefit from the relationship ??? Go and see The Independents, a very illuminating play !... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in the lives of the two artists.

Don't see it if You don't like shows with a small cast in a historic setting.

See it if You like the story better than the performance. (I saw an early performance and I expect this play will get better)

Don't see it if You know nothing about Cassett or Degas or the Impressionists

See it if you are into art and artists, particularly the Impressionists have good hearing and don't mind an overlong drawn out two person play

Don't see it if you're not into art, don't have good hearing, you do mind slow moving, very talky and a bit confusing story line

See it if Andre Herzegovitch does a masterful job in portraying Degas. The show is very entertaining and well acted. Intense relationship explained.

Don't see it if See it!

See it if you like interaction between 2 strong minded characters and like discussion of art. Very good use of a small stage.

Don't see it if you do not like the discussion of art.

Also Art was one of my majors in college. I really enjoyed the discussions between the two artists. Mary Cassatt was played just right. The way she reacted to Degas when he tried to change her painting was perfect. I also felt like ripping the brush out of his hand. You really get to understand her difficulties in being taken seriously. If you like the Impressionist period of art you should enjoy this play.... Read more Read less

See it if You’re interested in Impressionist painting. Some interesting art historical information.

Don't see it if You have an art history background. It’s a long 2 hours with intermission.

See it if You have an obsession with impressionistic painters. There's a lot of name dropping to make you know the playwright did research.

Don't see it if You value your time. There is really no there there.

Also The "set" is beyond cheap. It's just some sheets hung up and easels with comically small canvases on there and a few odd pieces of furniture. The acting is hilariously bad which is impressive when you only have to cast two people. There are extremely long transitions between scenes in order for the actors to change costumes. I would have preferred they just wear the same thing the whole play and shave 10-15 mins off the running time. Speaking of which, I could have sworn I read that it was supposed to be an intermission-less 90 mins but there was an intermission so it clocks in closer to 2 hours.... Read more Read less

See it if André Herzegovitch did a great job playing arrogant Edgar Degas. If you like and are a bit knowledgable about the Impressionists, who prefer

Don't see it if Play too long, long pauses for costume changes, very wordy. Play needs to be tighter. Anti-Semitic slur is used. (Degas was anti-semitic)

Also to be called 'The Independents' you may enjoy this show, which is basically banter between artist Mary Cassett and Degas about art & being a female artist when the period rejected women. (I'm a art lover so I may be a bit bias) However, the Dreyfus Affair, which brought Degas's anti-Semitism,to the forefront is ignored. (except for an unrelated slur) Play might have been stronger had this been addressed rather than art techniques.... Read more Read less