The Penitent NYC Reviews and Tickets

See it if You like pseudo-intelligent philosophizing

Don't see it if You seek emotional depth, realism and relevance; or you want to have a window into the playwright's dislikes

See it if You'd enjoy well-acted scenes that involve the lawyer (which are well-acted and interesting)..

Don't see it if ...you would be bored by the repetitive scenes with the wife (those scenes are poorly acted & just plain boring)

See it if You loved Mamet's last few duds. This is basically more of the same w/a surprise-ending. Disappointing.

Don't see it if You remember when Mamet was the great new guy-them days are gone!

See it if You want to ask questions, hear multiple arguments. An incisive discussion of belief and how it registers in our world interests you.

Don't see it if you dont like provocative "talky" plays which slowly give you the crumbs to put together an imperfect, yet fascinating "cake"

See it if Has glimpses of Mamet's former thunder & intellegence but feels more like a Mamet parody Bauer (looking like the author) & Lage do fine work

Don't see it if Too many cheap shots taken at powerful institutions doesn't constitute drama. Pepe's direction feels stilted & ending is totally contrived

See it if You are a Mamet and/or Chris Bauer fan. Like plays about legal morality decisions. Do not mind slow moving drama in a spartan set.

Don't see it if You expect a fast- paced Mamet play with lots of objectionable language. Do not like legal dilemmas.

See it if you follow Mamet, enjoy behavioral mysteries, like brutal, badgering dialogue, like quirking surprises that make you re-think entire play

Don't see it if you find Mamet's language and plot twists to never be satisfactory, you don't appreciate deliberately withheld info & staccato line readings

See it if you're a big David Mamet fan.

Don't see it if talk, talk, talk is all you get for an evening's offering. Read more