The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Classic Stage Company)

See it if you love Brecht. You want to see great interpretation of the gangster character by a wonderful actor. If you need a reminder to vote...

Don't see it if you can't sit through a play that doesn't have fancy set and that is ultimately not there to entertain you but rather to educate.

Also It's always great to see Brecht and to be reminded of his epic theater and special technique. It is a bit long to sit through this genre (2 hours) but the production is very loyal to Brecht's legacy and I enjoy seeing that.... Read more Read less

See it if you like brecht-style writing, you enjoy political plays, you like intimate sets and staging

Don't see it if you want a cohesive and clear story that you can follow, you like characters you can connect to

See it if you enjoy going to a play that somewhat makes you think

Don't see it if You want theatre to stay away from current politics, even in a satirical, indirect way

See it if You love language. Bertolt Brecht sets a play about gangsters in Chicago. Great direction by John Doyle and immersive performances by cast.

Don't see it if You prefer contemporary dialogue. The text is reminiscent of Shakespeare. It requires concentration and an ear for the lyrical and ironic

See it if Nice performances, interesting overall aesthetic. Raul is great as always.

Don't see it if I felt like I was being talked at, rather than acted to. It is a very wordy play that wasn't always clear with its intentions.

See it if you are a fan of Raul Esparza (if you're not, you should be) and you enjoy Brechtian non-realist productions.

Don't see it if you have no patience for Brechtian techniques of distancing/estrangement or resent revivals that make connections to contemporary events.

See it if You like Brecht and want to see a successful take on this relevant play.

Don't see it if You're looking for escapism.

See it if The #1 reason to see this show is Raul Esparza as Ui. He handles the text as if it were a razor-blade/butterfly. Thrilling!

Don't see it if A slightly heavy handed (Trump inflected), bare-bones rendition of Brecht's satire on Hitler sounds like hard work. But see it for Esparza!

See it if You love plays - like, LOVE plays, and want to see one that will challenge you; you appreciate sincerely ambitious revivals of the classics

Don't see it if You don't like dry, talky drama, or have trouble following their plots (my companion for the night, not a theater person, was a little lost)

Also Don't be put off by the very slow start - a fault perhaps more attributable to Brecht's very, erm, *Brechtian* script than Doyle's inventively and neatly staged production. The play hits its stride when Esparza makes his entrance. He's giving a powerhouse performance alongside a terrific ensemble. The actor who played Giri was legitimately scary, and her hilarious turn as the Actor makes a great case for why that scene is so memorable.
This is Brecht, so there's a little bit of everything: humor, adventure, romance, parody, and satire. Well, LOTS of satire, and laser-focused satire to boot. It's definitely worth reading the Wikipedia article before seeing the show, as some other reviewers have mentioned. The allegories are tight.
This is Brecht done dryly, but emotionally. It's a revival that respects the text, tries earnestly to do right by it, and succeeds. So while this isn't a feel-good night out, personally? I'd feel even worse to have missed it.... Read more Read less

See it if Highly relevant parable for the rise of Hitler that takes a lot of focus to fully understand.

Don't see it if You like to escape while going to theater or can't stand bare sets. I did feel there was something missing and could've had a bigger effect.

See it if you like Brecht and/or Raúl Esparza, you appreciate a takedown of fascism that doesn't shy away from the nefarious complicity of capitalism

Don't see it if honestly kinda boring but intelligent and ultimately probably worth your time if you can swing for the tickets.

See it if you are politically engaged and ready for a lot of fast paced dialogue.

Don't see it if You like your plays linear and straightforward, based in realism.

See it if You're a fan of political theatre or Brecht.

Don't see it if If you want to escape from what's happening out in the world right now for a night of theatre.

See it if you are desperate to see this Brecht play, regardless of the quality. poorly acted, TERRIBLY directed. Lifeless. Total lack of danger.

Don't see it if you are hoping for a quality evening of theater. Classic Stage, despite their reputation, disappoints again.

See it if You want to see Brecht, and specifically this show, done well. You like great storytelling. You like socio political theatre.

Don't see it if Seeing a Nazi story is a trigger.

See it if You like Brecht, you like John Doyle simplicity, you like Raul Esparza, you're political

Don't see it if You find it hard to listen closely for 2 hours

See it if You like deep plots with political messages

Don't see it if You're easily confused/have trouble following confusing plots

See it if You love great acting and thought-provoking themes.

Don't see it if Confusing plot bothers you. You don't want to work to follow the language.

See it if You like Brecht. You want to see great acting in an intimate venue.

Don't see it if You don't like Brecht. You require naturalism.

See it if The acting was terrific. The plot relevant for today. Esparza and cast nail it.

Don't see it if It can be confusing as some actors play multiple characters.

See it if You enjoy Brecht, politics, and won't be really confused

Don't see it if You don't like intense political plays