The Rape of the Sabine Women, By Grace B. Matthias

See it if You want to see a contemporary play about serious issues that finds a way to deal with them in about a humorous a way as you probably could.

Don't see it if You don't like shows that seem to make little sense till the end when you find out what it's all about.

See it if Powerful exploration of a high school girl's date rape. Uses satire to address many difficult issues. Heartfelt characters.

Don't see it if This play is not so much about the rape itself but about everyone's reaction to it. Is the grey area good-and-evil or loss of innocence?

See it if you want to see a sometimes laudatory, often cringe-worthy, attempt at a "rape satire" w/some nice performances & interesting use of space.

Don't see it if you'll be troubled by an oft insensitive take on rape culture, played mostly for laughs, & characters written too broadly to be sympathetic.

See it if want to be aware of the many versions and diversions re: rape. Very good acting esp. Susannah Perkins, Andy Lucien and Doug Harris

Don't see it if you are easily upset with a delicate subject. It is not a Greek/Roman drama This is not a musical extravaganza. No intermission.100+ minutes

See it if issue driven theater is your liking, uses humor to make the unspeakable watchable

Don't see it if sexual assault is not a topic you want to think about

See it if you are open to a serio-comic take on the subject of rape. A wonderful lead performance by Susannah Perkins.

Don't see it if you are uncomfortable with the satirical comic treatment of a serious subject.

Also I wished the early scenes we're less drawn out and the satire sharper. I found myself appreciating the show more as it progressed, in no small part due to the superb performance of Susannah Perkins.... Read more Read less

See it if you like a thoughtful well acted story about a relevant subject.

Don't see it if the subject of rape upsets you or if you expect any new revelations or insight.

See it if If rape is of interest. It had me questioning the culpability of the main character is her misfortune, which I don't think was intentional.

Don't see it if This is a subject that makes you squeamish, if unnecessary nudity on stage is problematic for you.

See it if You can take seriously an at times funny truth to power look at rape in society. With mostly stereotypical characters, it has a core of real

Don't see it if You find abhorrent the idea of rape and humor together. You can't find the texture, breadth and compassion in sly presentation.

See it if superb writing, acting, direction of tough, challenging content is what you long for in great theater. Smart, funny, direct, moving.

Don't see it if you can't engage with the reality of rape culture -past, present and future, even when so complexly presented.

Also Kovner - artistic director - is an amazingly sensitive visionary who understands what theater can and should do. How can rape be entertaining (and not verbal porn?). This play finds a way to make it real without even presenting it on stage.... Read more Read less

See it if you're into social satire and are willing to put up with some muddled writing to see these issues dealt with by a game cast

Don't see it if you prefer pieces that have a very clear message and control of their themes

See it if One incredible performance anchors a play which would be otherwise largely adrift. It transforms the production into must see theater.

Don't see it if The play is clearly too glib and chipper about rape. Unrealistic extent of HS art history instruction. Large space demands close seating.

Also It can be ten minutes shorter with no loss of impact. Discussion of fire and firemen was not well integrated and felt like filler. Most of the characters are undeveloped and stereotypical. The lead actress is remarkable.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to examine a multitude of stereotypes around rape and sexual assault.

Don't see it if you are unable to understand the use of stereotypes to prove a point - that men rape women.

See it if You have the chance. A powerful play, a testament to the actors and writing. Everyone must experience this; must see and thought provoking.

Don't see it if You are looking for something light and are uncomfortable with the subject matter.

See it if a unique script that beautifully employs history, metaphor, repeated motifs, and story in a powerful exploration of rape culture appeals.

Don't see it if caricatures/heavily hammed up/hyper acting bothers you. (Actually, still see it: this usually bothers me too but it mostly worked here.)

See it if you enjoy plays about topical issues that are well staged and well acted (particularly by the female lead).

Don't see it if you are at all bothered by heavy-handed moments; this play does have a few. Or if you find nudity upsetting.

See it if you enjoy topical serious dramas with appropriate amounts of humor woven brilliantly into the script. Amazing show. Terrific cast!

Don't see it if you're a woman dealing with rape trauma or if you're a misogynistic man who just won't "get it."

See it if you want to see a serious piece of theatre and have some intense discussions afterwards.

Don't see it if there are some sensitive topics that can be difficult for some. Do your research on the show and know what you are about to see.

See it if you're interested in an earnest, ultimately unsuccessful, attempt to explore rape culture through a comedic lens, + some good performances.

Don't see it if this subject matter, handled in a well-meaning but misguided way, will be offensive to you.

Also I fully believe this playwright came to this project meaning well, but it ultimately felt extremely misguided to me. Rape happens because women keep forgiving men? That's the takeaway we're meant to leave with? So... it's the women's fault? The play is ultimately infinitely more sympathetic toward the perpetrators of the crime (boys rape girls because they're hurt inside and don't know how to express their feelings healthily?) than it is to ANY of the one-dimensional female characters. And while I completely support the goal of approaching difficult subject matter with humor, this production simply wasn't funny enough to achieve that goal. It's also quite long, and desperately in need of editing.... Read more Read less

See it if Enjoy a comical presentation of a serious topic like rape

Don't see it if You will be unhappy with the comical way they treat a serious topic

See it if you want to see something interesting. It may not have all the i's dotted and t's crossed, but it's still an entertaining piece.

Don't see it if the topic of rape or a little nudity makes you uncomfortable.

Also I would chalk this one as having potential, but the execution seems a little hurried. There are still some rough edges that need to be ironed out. The character development for Grace was lacking. Given that she wanted to marry her rapist, the ending seems forced. But overall, it's still something I'm glad I was able to see.... Read more Read less

See it if You're interested in play addressing rape from a more honest/atypical vantage point. Humor, shows how Society/culture cultivate this crime

Don't see it if You're offended by nudity, sensitive to the topic of rape in general. (Though some rape victims Really appreciated this work)

See it if Don't. A messy, deeply misguided attempt at skewering rape culture that misses almost all marks

Don't see it if I honestly wouldn't see it. After seeing it, I was shocked it was produced at all.

Also It can be easy to dismiss this play based on the idea alone, but I was determined and excited to see it. And you can tell from the play that, on some level Crowley must care deeply, or he wouldn't have spent so much time on the subject. But every attempt at humor feels misguided and miscommunicated, and dangerous. His attempt to satire and dark comedy the difficult moments only serve to highlight (what it's like in real life), that rape victims & survivors are often ignored, treated poorly, and discredited. To pour salt into a variety of wounds, some quiet deep, the play has the protagonist idealize/Stockholm Syndrome her rapist, who had been a friend. While it makes sense that feels are layered, it's handled with none, instead feeling like a Twilight parody. Instead of handing the material thoughtfully, the play scatter-shoots in an attempt to remark on rape culture, instead saying nothing but a bunch of upsetting cliches and flat jokes that, in more skilled hands, might be satire.... Read more Read less

See it if You like productions which deal with tough issues in both a comedic and tragic way

Don't see it if You don't want to see a show dealing with rape or rape culture

See it if you like to think about the subject matter after a show-well done

Don't see it if you do not like this type of subject matter