Signature Theatre presents Pulitzer winner Suzan-Lori Parks' modern-day riff on 'The Scarlet Letter,' in which a penniless mother of five is condemned by the men who love her. Featuring Tony nominee Saycon Sengbloh. More…
Produced together for the first time and running in rep, Parks' 'The Red Letter Plays: Fucking A & In the Blood' explode our ideas of love, society, sex, and power with wit and fearlessness. Hester turns to former lovers, friends, and the institutions meant to support her, only to be spurned by them all with devastating consequences. Directed by Obie winner Sarah Benson.
See it if Class structure of modern society as experienced by a rebellious welfare mother. Hypocrisy abounds. Deep writing, great set.
Don't see it if You don't want to explore the ugliness of human nature. Includes seamy explicit sexual dialog.
Also This is a brilliant play with a lot to say. In addition to the powerfu... Read more Read less
See it if Parks' Brechtian fable of welfare mother/outcast in society as trenchant as ever Strong ensemble w/Benson's fierce staging illuminates tale
Don't see it if Unrelenting misery/injustice hard to take but that's the point Adult actors as children/infants bit rocky Monologues somewhat heavyhanded
See it if you are ready for disturbing,dark, ugly, and sad views re: our society. Saycon Sengbloh is superb as Hester.Set is fascinating.
Don't see it if if you are expecting a feel good story. We have a pref. for Parks' Fucking A. I have a problem with the older adults playing the young kids
See it if convincingly shows hypocrisy in Scarlet Letter applies 2 "helping" classes/doctor, welfare worker, preacher that exploit poor black mothers
Don't see it if Brechtian production lacks subtlety: mother heroic, helping class evil; F***ing A much more nuanced & imaginative
See it if you want to see a well-acted and well-directed incisive (if bleak) take on the value our society places on women and motherhood.
Don't see it if you're looking for a light fluffy night of theater.
See it if you like serious dramas performed by high-caliber actors. Saycon Sengbloh is phenomenal and the beautifully written play is Pulitzer worthy.
Don't see it if you prefer "safe" works or are turned off by stories of people in low places, struggling for survival.
See it if You're interested in topical plays that, though written years ago, are still very relevant today.
Don't see it if Topics like homelessness & promiscuity are too rough for you to handle, no matter the larger message.
See it if you are a Parks enthusiast and you must see the two Red Letter Plays.
Don't see it if you like your dramas fast moving and interesting.
See it if you're looking for a socially relevant dramatic play. More serious tone than Fucking A, great acting/direction and interesting staging.
Don't see it if you're not in the mood for something bleak. It is a depressing look at a welfare mom. Adult actors playing kids can be off-putting at first
See it if you like complex theater that does not assign quick blame to those who do foolish things. This is an intelligent look at poverty.
Don't see it if you expect an upbeat, easy show.
See it if very moving & disturbing story of an unmarried mother of 5 living in poverty & exploited even by those whose job is to help
Don't see it if you don't want actors playing dual roles - adults & children; very disturbing end
Also Saycon Sengbloh as the mother was excellent.... Read more Read less
See it if curious how Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter (1850) sparks a contemporary story for today; interested in welfare, women, and wounds.
Don't see it if fine acting and an unusual set design, dovetailed with flawed writing that soars as much as it sinks, proves too incongruous or frustrating.
Also I've had my eye on The Red Letter Plays for some time: perhaps it was ... Read more Read less
See it if A complex drama about issues of those who fall through the cracks of society. Excellent writing and acting. Left me breathless.
Don't see it if If you prefer musicals and light dramas.
See it if you want to see a masterful depiction of life in the lower depths of modern society. Some vivid connections to The Scarlet Letter.
Don't see it if you have a problem with viewing negative plotlines and characters.
Also Wow! Can Suzan-Lori Parks write!.. Some of the language is so poetic -... Read more Read less
See it if Companion to FuckingA and a riff on The Scarlet Letter exploring power in class,sex,gender and race ; poetic and dark with great ensemble
Don't see it if You don’t like epic tragedy exploration of dark themes and hopelessness as embodied in the staging, set and script
See it if you're interested in plays about social issues and like innovative stagings that manage to avoid gimmickry
Don't see it if you don't want to be presented with tough issues without being given a tidy resolution
See it if you find it easy to accept the idea that a deprived, illiterate mother of five children out of wedlock is in no way responsible for her life
Don't see it if you don't mind being blamed for the suffering of someone you don't know, without being presented with any coherent ways to prevent this.
See it if you like somber political statements about women in poverty.
Don't see it if you want subtlety.
See it if you like works that address real-life problems of the underprivileged and want to see an excellent treatment of the subject.
Don't see it if you're not in the mood for a serious play.
See it if you enjoy Parks' canon of social justice and political theater
Don't see it if you prefer not to be confronted with real life issue on stage
See it if outstanding performances from a seasoned cast. interesting staging- interesting concept to riff on the scarlet A- not usual wordsmith Parks
Don't see it if if you cannot sit for 2 hours without an intermission. if Suzan Lori Parks is not your taste
See it if you care about the world you live in and the people around you. This play will shatter your thinking of the less fortunate.
Don't see it if you object to strong language or live in an ideal world because this one is anything but. Be warned, it runs almost 2 hours without a break.
See it if You are a Parks fan and want to see a take on Scarlett Letter featuring an illiterate mother of 5.
Don't see it if you expect a fast moving show. this requires some patience.
Also while I admire this playwright, after seeing her two red letter plays,... Read more Read less
See it if You are looking for dramas that explore the place of the poor and homeless in our world.
Don't see it if You are looking for light or fluffy.