The Radicalization of Rolfe (FringeNYC)

See it if Clever, well written & acted work. Intriguing 'backstory' to Sound of Music both funny & profound

Don't see it if challenging work around themes of sexual difference and xenophopia disturb

See it if You enjoyed The Sound of Music and want a different look at what might have been happening. With wonderful little tributes to the movie.

Don't see it if Good acting mixed with mediocre acting. Occasional cringe worthy dialogue.

See it if a fan of SOM, LGBT themes, & can appreciate the imagined back stories of minor characters

Don't see it if not familiar with the S.O.M & too much exposition makes you crazy

Also #ShowScore 10/26/16 #RadicalizationOfRolfe #FringeNYC #SohoPlayhouse Saw this again last night, still needs editing, wish Zeller had some other color than evil, wish Rolfe were more conflicted about his situation, wish Frau Schmidt & Franz said less/smiled more, still clever & interesting... Read more Read less

See it if Professional acting. Schizophrenic script. Audience came to be amused by Sound of Music allusions but they were sprinkled in a dark drama

Don't see it if The 3 older cast members were pros. The 2 boys were almost as good. The laughs gained by SOM allusions grew more and more inappropriate

Also I liked it but this would have been better as a straight (so to speak) drama of Rolfe caught up in the Nazi web. Or as a pure Sound of Music parody along the lines of fun allusions in Something Rotten... Read more Read less

See it if You want to be entertained. You can enjoy a show that deals with diversity. You don't take life and plays so seriously. Want to laugh.

Don't see it if You take life too seriously. You are offended by two men having relations and seeing a Nazi armband. You don't want to laugh.

See it if you are curious about Rolf, and would like to see a well-conceived imaginary back story. Also, you get an effective gay perspective on era.

Don't see it if Nazi's tend to creep you out.

Also In 90 minutes, you get a mini-spoof of the SOM, an intriguing back story of Rolf, and a very clear picture of what being gay was like then.... Read more Read less

See it if You want clever writing which thoughtfully and compellingly explores the lives of non-central characters from famous stories.

Don't see it if You're not prepared for themes of loyalty, strength, and sexuality -- all wrapped in the charm of the margins of a beloved story.

See it if You are interested in a mature speculation about what was going on behind the scenes in the Sound of Music.

Don't see it if You don't want your Sound of Music illusions shattered, or are uncomfortable with same-sex relationships or references to the Holocaust.

See it if you'd like a serious, yet clever & funny, well written, smoothly directed & very well acted alternate take on Liesl's Sound of Music beau.

Don't see it if you've no interest in plays that reference other plays; dislike the von Trapps and/or Nazis; or are disturbed by male displays of affection.

Also The Sound of Music, like The Wizard of Oz or It’s a Wonderful Life — is a property that through time and commercial exploitation has been co-opted into a painless, feel-good family entertainment, its darkness and underlying politics long ago filtered out in spite of swastikas fluttering in the breeze.

In truth, this PG familiarization diminishes the intent and effect of the original; shows like Wicked or the recent May Violets Spring, which convincingly played out Shakespeare’s Hamlet from Ophelia's point of view and motivations, do much to revive and give depth to these stories by exploring alternate plots and situations.

In Rolfe — by fleshing out the minor, but ultimately pivotal character that ensures the von Trapps' escape — Andrew Bergh deftly and at first comically reveals the rarely explored persecution of gay men by the Nazis.

Well and plausibly written, tightly directed and well acted by a terrific cast, Rolfe stands on its own even without its Music in the background.... Read more Read less

See it if you love "The Sound of Music," like "campy" humor, enjoy plays that mix comedy and tragedy and like seeing new plays.

Don't see it if you'll freak out over gay love scenes; dislike shows that are a spin off of others; aren't familiar with "The Sound of Music."

See it if you enjoyed "The Sound of Music", like back stories about the von Trapp family, or simply love to laugh (except for the final five minutes)

Don't see it if you don't think you can find any humor in Nazi Germany/Austria.

See it if you like the Sound of Music.

Don't see it if you don't like the Sound of Music, or you don't want to watch a play that deals with topics like Nazis and the Holocaust.

See it if You'd ever (or never!) wondered about Rolfe. In depth look into a conflicted gay young man discovering himself and his place in the world.

Don't see it if You take issue with humanizing Nazis, playing around with The Sound of Music, or a gay backbone to a story. Some v strong performance-& fun~

See it if you are a fan of The Sound of Music and would enjoy a clever back-story on Rolph.

Don't see it if you want something complex and challenging or if you don't know the musical at all.

See it if you want to see one of the best Fringe plays this summer. A funny yet thoughtful companion to "The Sound of Music" with a darker message.

Don't see it if you can't stand the frequent and funny references to "The Sound of Music".

See it if You are a diehard fan of The Sound of Music (as I am) and would like to see a different take on some of the other characters in the story.

Don't see it if You expect to see Maria singing "My Favorite Things" although there are many references to Maria and The Captain.

See it if sexual politics during WWII interest you - Rolfe's transformation into a Nazi and his eventual capitulation to their regime feels believable

Don't see it if you're a diehard Sound of Music fan who'll be disappointed by cheap jokes based on lyrics and by constant summarizing of the original's plot

See it if You know the story of The Sound of Music-it helps with the underlying story & humor. Like performance of the back stories of lesser chacters

Don't see it if you think it will be a musical or campy production of SOM or offended by a cherished character that may have a 'deviant' dark side.

See it if love the Sound of Music or WWII drama.

Don't see it if you're expecting the equivalent of Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead. Rolfe is not that clever.

See it if If you are interested in historical fact wrapped in fictional characters - like Sound of Music? References entwine with drama

Don't see it if If you are expecting a comedy or musical. If you don't like transporting characters from one plot to another. WW2 painful

See it if You need your social justice leavened with a great deal of inside Sound of Music humor.

Don't see it if Long sit down scenes of confrontation bore you.

See it if your memories of the Sound of Music can handle a little backstory, which is scarily relevent to our political climate.

Don't see it if bad people, doing bad things for their own gain upsets you. Or you don't want anything but the good associated with the movie.

See it if The Sound of Music is a fav; open to a clever, humorous, yet moving piece, with fun lyric references. A few wonderful acting performances.

Don't see it if Gay relationships/action is a turn off. You're a TSOM purist. Are done with Nazi topics, even as referred to in a musical story.

See it if You like funny plays that still manage to address serious issues. LGBT plays interest you.

Don't see it if You've never seen or don't like "The Sound of Music"

See it if a fan of TSoM and can appreciate a visit to the background characters.

Don't see it if you do not know who Rolf is; This is a decent play / production, but much joy is in knowing "the prequel"...