The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Classic Stage Company)

See it if Raul Esparza is great. It is Bertolt Brecht. Lightning is super. Action abounds. Thrust Stage (one of my favorites)

Don't see it if Actors have tough time with Thrust stage. Lighting affects some in audience It is loud. It is Bertolt Brecht (no middle ground)

See it if you're a fan of Brecht or Esparza who is great, enjoy social satires connecting America of today to fascism, pared down casts,

Don't see it if you're not a Brechtian, don't like heavy-handed symbols, find it hard to discern an actor switching characters, bright lights or loud noises

See it if This is an excellent, cohesive cast easily handling Brechtian dialogue. Nuance and relationships are not always clear, but the allegory is.

Don't see it if You have any difficulty hearing. The fast pace of the dialog took time to catch. You are not interested in political allegories.

See it if You are a fan of Raul Esparza. He was great. And if you like Brecht, although this isn't one of his best plays.

Don't see it if You don't like satire. Although in this case the satire is frighteningly close to our current reality.

See it if satire of Hitler's rise to power as told thru a story of a Chicago gangster, wonderful portrayal of Ui by Raul Esperza, funny & disturbing

Don't see it if you don't like satire or like your satire subtle; would be confused by actors playing more than one role

Also First half (Ui/Hitler rising to power) was very confusing due to actors changing roles and the annoying in & out and opening & closing of tables. Maybe also due to not being as familiar with the specifics of Hitler's rise as what he did when he was on top.
Several people left and I would have given the play a 65.
STICK IT OUT. Much stronger second half.... Read more Read less

See it if you like fast-paced, thoughtful, older works--reinvigorated--requiring rapt attention; allegorical works, starkly-produced, are your speed.

Don't see it if expecting a really refined production (CSC is going bare-bones again—there aren’t even physical programs); you dislike political allegories.

Also Raúl Esparza in the eponymous role is simultaneously scary yet pathetic. At times, he commits to a comically exaggerated Broolynite accent, aping a walk clearly mocking that of Adolf Hitler. As the play comes to an end, he’s roaring and railing like something straight out of William Shakespeare’s tragedies. Indeed, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui does have a Shakespearean flair—particularly of the political backstabbing and blind leadership (and idol worship) seen in the quoted-at-length here Julius Caesar. The play’s 1940s origins is on display, too, with fast-paced speech giving The Front Page competition. Troublesome, though, is the patch-working of too much—actors playing multiple roles; a “pen” area where actors are often kept on the other side of chain-link; a combination of verse and prose. It takes some easing into (especially as the characters introduce themselves in the opening) but, soon, the satire and allegorical tones are clear—and the finale is really a gut-puncher.... Read more Read less

See it if You like to see rarely produced plays by renowned playwrights , with excellent casts and cogent direction

Don't see it if You want a musical or to keep your entertainment apolitical

See it if You enjoy a cartoonish struggle between good and evil (with a clear hint to our times) as Esparza & the cast revel in their roles.

Don't see it if You prefer the suspension of disbelief one can have in non-Brecht theater (or you don't like cauliflower).

See it if You want to experience an energetic revival of this Brecht classic. Interesting staging by John Doyle.The ensemble cast is terrific.

Don't see it if The subject matter is not for you.The play requires your complete attention.I noticed several audience members who were asleep.What a shame!

See it if You want to see masterful performances by Raul Esparza and the supporting cast in a highly charged political story that still has relevance.

Don't see it if You are looking for something light and fluffy and non-political. This is definitely more of a think piece.

Also I was very pleasant surprised by how much I enjoyed this show. I was very intrigued by its concept and as a huge Esparza fan, I didn't want to miss it. His performance is, in a word, BRILLIANT! Supporting cast was great as well (George Abud, Elizabeth Davis, and Thom Sesma especially). Though written during and as a response to the rise of Hitler, the story remains sadly relevant today.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a well-acted political farce decrying the complicity of wealthy business interests in the success of the Nazi Party.

Don't see it if you're expecting parallels to modern day politics. Brecht wrote so specifically about the rise of Nazism it is obvious and nontransferrable

See it if Brecht ... love him or hate him. Raul is powerful. Interesting staging.

Don't see it if Can be exhausting and dogmatic.

See it if You want a tour de force performance from Raul Esparza. He is riveting. The show is good, not great, but relevant to our times.

Don't see it if You don’t like politics, don’t like rhyming couplets, need a big show with big sets, or want light fluffy theater. It’s not a show for all.

See it if you like Bertolt Brecht plays no matter how poorly they are done.

Don't see it if you want to see a well directed play. Director John Doyle did needlessly bizarre & confusing things that made the play difficult to follow.

See it if You are a fan of Brecht or Esparza. A very complex fast paced wordgame. See it if you like wordplay and accents.

Don't see it if If you are looking for an easy to follow piece. It is all over the place.

See it if You like Brecht's writing and want to be blown away by an amazing performance ..Raul Esparza !

Don't see it if You get bored easily. This takes concentration.

Also Wow! I was blown away. Wonderfully staged and acted. And the second act is a punch in the stomach. Written during Hitler's time but relevant now. Funny and scary...very Shakepearean in tone.... Read more Read less

See it if you're deepening your appreciation of Brecht beyond "The Threepenny Opera." Raul Esparza's turn in the title role is deliciously strange.

Don't see it if you go ballistic when the parallels between Trump and Hitler are made evident. To say this production feels timely is an understatement.

Also Memorable Line: "If only we could act instead of talking, we wouldn't always end up on our arse."... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy classic plays with a political edge and social messaging. Mirrors Charlie Chaplin’s classic film The Dictator. The message is

Don't see it if You dislike Shakespearean plays or plays like The Three Penny Opera. Hard to follow and could easily bring on a sudden snooze.

Also powerful, the acting is masterful, the whole experience is a constant bombardment of words and action. When the performance ends it leaves you questioning what you just experienced. It takes a day of reflection to put the puzzle together.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see the similarities between 1930s Nazi Germany and the gangster cities of Chicago and Cicero.

Don't see it if you are disappointed by a play with too much symbolism, loudness and confusing dialogue.

See it if you like the writing of Bertolt Brecht and you want to see a play that parallels the rise of Hitler with Chicago corruption.

Don't see it if you want a play with a well defined plot, less symbolism and more action.

See it if you like great theatre that is thought provoking and satirical

Don't see it if you prefer straight up theatre and or musicals

See it if You appreciate great acting with a lot of energy and a play, though not subtle, packs a punch.

Don't see it if You're not a fan of Brecht and his ideas about theatre as a distancing medium. You want a subtle piece.

Also I was blown away by Raul Esparza's performance, which a critic dubbed "blistering." It sure was! The other actors were also terrific. I enjoyed the combination of satire and Shakespearean history play (I wouldn't call it a tragedy, though the consequences within it are), of Julius Caesar and Tony Soprano. The last lines are downright chilling. Thanks, CSC and John Doyle!... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy Brecht’s works, are a fan of Raul Esparza, enjoy social satires, and like the previous productions of CSC

Don't see it if you aren’t a fan of Brechtian theatre, would rather see a musical, or don’t want to see a dictator-centric play

Also CSC’s production is near flawless, and perhaps the finest modern example of classic Brechtian theatre. The ensemble works exceptionally well together. It’s hard to pick a standout in this fine company, but you can’t not applaud Raul Esparza for his work in this show. It’s a terrific opportunity to see him in such an intimate space, and watch in horror as he transforms from a comical gangster a terrifying, Hilter-esque dictator before your eyes. The rose petals with the swatstikas on them will haunt me forever.... Read more Read less

See it if Generally well acted, and a surprising characterization by an offbeat star role in Raul Esparza.

Don't see it if Too often it's just a flight of words that you lose the specific knowledge of what's going on. Thematically yes, specifically, no. Pass.

See it if you love Raul Esparza and John Doyle, you're up for a show that throws our current political climate in your face

Don't see it if on-the-nose or not at all subtle parallels bother you or you don't want a show that makes you concentrate/work for it