See it if story of vengeance, power, use of sex to various ends brilliantly captured in medieval world; multitalented cast plays and sings new music
Don't see it if this is brutal, but like Game of Thrones you can't avert your eyes from the carnage; starts slowly but gains momentum 2 bloody ending Read more
See it if You enjoy superb acting and riveting story
Don't see it if You don't like serious plays lasting over 2 hours
See it if Remarkable blend of serious drama, comic relief, and musicality. As with "In the Blood", the protagonist is an outcast, trampled by class.
Don't see it if You can't shift between the serious, comic and musical elements. It's a brilliant but odd mix. Read more
See it if you love Suzan-Lori Parks' writing. Or if you love edgy, slightly more avant-garde theater. This is an exquisite production of this play.
Don't see it if Brechtian style theater isn't your thing. If you are bothered by implied violence or are strongly against abortion.
See it if you're a Parks fan, admire the excellent Christine Lahti, want to see Elizabeth Stanley push herself, enjoy cast breaking into bitter songs
Don't see it if having an abortionist as a main character would bother you, not a fan of Oedipal like coincidence or of Brecht-Weill style presentation
See it if you want to watch an amazing writer at work, and great acting, surprisingly harmonious music, a few [bitter] laughs. Staging is excellent.
Don't see it if you want a lighthearted evening, or cant bear to contemplate cruelty & violence. It's dark yet, remarkably, it is not depressing.
See it if you like stories that rift on a theme but take it to another level and makes you question your world.
Don't see it if you want a pretty look at life and expect to walk out happy.
See it if you like brilliant acting in intense scenes that push you emotionally and morally. Singing nicely complements dialogue.
Don't see it if your views on abortion are fixed or physical/ sexual violence upsets you. Not for squeamish. Lahti is wow. Voices impressive.
"The play unfolds with the inevitably of a Greek myth, with a low-key style of performance that would seem to be intentional on the part of director Bonney. It is the kind of distancing effect that Brecht was partial to, forcing us to think about the big issues without allowing us to get pulled into the particulars of character or plot...As a consequence, and after so much setup, the act of revenge is rather anti-climactic. There is no catharsis for Hester or for us."
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"A production that works well on all levels. It's directed by Bonney with a sense for the rhythm that keeps it flowing. The cast, top to bottom, is up to giving fresh, meaningful life to this saga that's as relentlessly downbeat and bloody as any Greek tragedy...Brief bursts of foreign-sounding gibberish...don't add much to the play...This doesn't detract from the overall excellence of this production...Under Bonney's direction, all the actors are guided to fully inhabit their roles."
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“The cast is phenomenal. Lahti is simultaneously stoic and terrifying…It has startlingly funny moments, very charming songs, and well-meaning characters, but at the end of the day ‘Fucking A’ exists in a wasteland…For those who can stomach the brutalities (and I suggest you do), ‘Fucking A’ is a thrill ride that shines a glaring light at our own world’s massive incongruities. Parks is a master storyteller…You can’t go wrong with ‘Fucking A’ if you enjoy hard-hitting, thought-provoking theater.”
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"Despite the use of Brechtian devices, Ms. Parks’ voice is all her own here. And a grim one it is. Although there are some wonderful, much needed comic moments, 'Fucking A' is not for the fainthearted...The cast, led by Christine Lahti as Hester, is exceptional. They work exceedingly well as an ensemble and individually, and most of them also double as musicians."
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“A staggering work of expert storytelling and captivating performances brought to life by Bonney’s direction…Each actor is exemplary. Most of the cast seamlessly plays multiple roles and performs musical accompaniment for Parks’s songs, which are either darkly funny or cathartic but always entertaining. Don’t miss this experience. The journey to knowledge is difficult and ends in a heartbreaking climax, comparable to the most searing of Greek tragedies, but the lessons are necessary.”
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“The score is as dully ersatz as the writing, and contributes little to the narrative or thematic continuity…I found 'Fucking A's' two hours and fifteen minutes hard to sit through…A feminist subtext is ticking beneath the surface but the play's embellishments prevent it from exploding…Christine Lahti…retains an aura of speech and sophistication that suggests she's playacting rather than fitting seamlessly into Hester's more life-battered skin.”
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"Parks manages to create an involving if sometimes horrific story, where the show’s seemingly disparate characters interact in many, sometimes surprising ways. It’s a tall order, but Jo Bonney’s exceedingly well-cast, atmospheric production fulfills many of the work’s demands...The cast’s musicality proves to be an invaluable asset...At times, the work does feel predictable, and a little trimming might be useful. Nonetheless, you will leave the theatre marked by the plight of these characters."
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"A title you can't print and a story line that makes no sense...The cast is extremely talented and bring layers to each character. The direction by Jo Bonney kept the show moving and theatrical, but I left scratching my head. There were some important issues at stake and sadly they were left on the table."
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