Transfers

See it if you understand that one of the great failures of our society is a wholesale abandonment of a whole class of young men.

Don't see it if you are not in the mood for 100 minutes of searing, sometimes uncomfortable drama (with occasional well-earned laughs).

Also Psychological realism is not my favorite kind of theater—unless it finds a way to challenge the norms of that form. I feel it’s better done on the screen, & I like theater that finds ways to exploit the live event, performer & audience in 1 space together. Yet I was fully engaged & deeply moved by “Transfers,” a choice piece of psychological realism that profiles the struggles of 2 gifted young men who are products of the Bronx & the 3 educational professionals who are charged with helping them. Disclosure: I am 66 & spent my early childhood 1 block away from the block these boys grew up on. My parents worked hard so my family could flee the chaos just starting to envelop the neighborhood. I was spared the many indignities these 2 young men of color (I am white) endured a few decades later. I don’t know how much this accounts for my intense, visceral reaction to the gut-wrenching work of the 2 splendid young actors who play these young men, but I can say I found it shattering.... Read more Read less

See it if you’ve ever felt like you’ve done everything you’re “supposed” to do to get ahead, only to find that it never mattered.

Don't see it if you can’t face the reality that life isn’t fair. You’ll walk away angry and frustrated.

See it if You'd enjoy a drama about different students vying to get into a top tier college and how the decision is made. Lots to think about.

Don't see it if Runs a bit long at 1 hour 55 no intermission. First scene involving phone call is quite boring & can be dropped.

See it if you're interested in the availability of higher education for those without economic privilege.

Don't see it if you find it painful to watch two deserving students wanting/needing to continue their education knowing there is room for only one of them.

See it if you're interested in a relevant play which pivots from two students competing for a scholarship to competing against a broken system.

Don't see it if you're not in the mood for an issue play or socially and politically relevant theater.

See it if Just see it and savor it!

Don't see it if You’re looking for dancing feet.

See it if you like well written plays that examine current issues of race and class. Set is absolutely marvelous. Acting and directing are stellar. Go

Don't see it if you want a musical. This play has it all--humor, truth, real characters, great acting, brilliant set, serious issues. It's the real deal.

See it if you enjoy smart relevant characters and a thoughtful plot that steers clear of stereotypes.

Don't see it if you don't care about marginalized students.

See it if are interested in the workings of the education system, affirmative action & growing up disadvantaged. Wonderful performances & staging.

Don't see it if you'd be bothered by certain scenes that are not entirely creditable. In spite of the lack of creditability, they're always interesting.

See it if If you are interested in the struggles of underprivileged youth. A well written and produced snapshot of a segment of NY.

Don't see it if Do not see if you are uncomfortable with issues relating to unprivileged youth. If you are more comfortable with light dramas.

See it if you want to experience excellent acting, a well-written & well-directed drama sprinkled w/some humor, supported by an amazingly magical set.

Don't see it if you're looking for a str8-up comedy or musical. It's one of the very best ensemble dramas I've seen off-off, off, or ON Broadway in months.

Also It's about class, education, socio-economics, survival.

It's about LIFE. Kudos to all the performers and to Jackson Gay (director) for being able to bring the strong script to life; for breathing life into these amazing characters. I'd be afraid of seeing replacements after seeing the originals.

The 2 stars of the show are the actors playing the students. Ato Blankson-Wood is excellent as "Clarence": kind, gentle, intelligent, open, self-assured yet vulnerable; Juan Castano is SUPERB as "Cristofer": zero-filter, tough-guy swagger, defensive, rage-filled yet tender, SO real.

And the set! There are 5 different scenes which are magically transformed on the same set in semi-darkness during quick scene-changes: from a hotel room, to 2 different/separate offices, to a conference room, and finally to a restaurant. Masterfully designed and achieved; scene-changes are exceptionally timed and "choreographed".

You MUST see this show (closes in 2wks). DEF going again next week.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see great acting and a great story proving we all have a story that in some part defines who we are.

Don't see it if you need a big production.

See it if you're interested in seeing a depiction of young people trying to move beyond their troubled pasts.

Don't see it if you are offended by crude language. Also, several of the scenes transcend reality and are difficult to accept.

Also There is much to admire in Thurber's play and the actors do their best with their material. On the whole, I could not accept much of the plot as plausible.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a show that is profound, will make you think, has a wonderful cast (two main actors are so young and talented)

Don't see it if You want a musical, want a light subject, don't care about social injustices, want to laugh.

See it if you enjoy theater that challenges and makes you think. Serious issues of race/class addressed here. Quick changes to set are impressive.

Don't see it if you want something light or aren't interested in the issues addressed here. Not all of it is completely believable.

See it if you're interested in yet another work about admission processes of colleges and private schools.

Don't see it if you can't sit through a long one act.

See it if a deeply thoughtful, eloquently written play where every character is perfectly conceived and developed, then perfectly cast is for you.

Don't see it if No reason at all to miss this treasure

Also Very exciting to discover Lucy Thurber and her insight into people, society and relationships. And the cast is perfect. Kudos to all including director Jackson Gay. Reminds me why I love NYC and the theatre.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to be challenged to think about and understand people who may have different backgrounds and circumstances than yourself.

Don't see it if you do not want a challenging evening at the theatre. The play is mostly dialogue about difficult subjects and does not have a lot of action

See it if want to see two young men struggle to get college scholarships after fighting their way out of very poor and tough neighborhoods.

Don't see it if you are not in the mood for angry outbursts or just want to be entertained

Also The acting by the two young men applying for scholarships was solid - and they did get their stories told. Yet, I found the script to be repetitive and filled with too many fits and outbursts.

I left wanting to like this play more than I did as it does focus on a very important topic of providing an education for those in need and exposing the difficulties of growing up in poor neighborhoods. In the end, I felt the script lacked depth and sincerity.

The acting by the other three characters was uneven.

On the other hand, my husband liked it much more than I did and the couple sitting next to us gave it a standing ovation (although not many people joined them).

I saw this play at Lucille Lortel Center in Apr 2018.... Read more Read less

See it if Resonant and truthful story about youth. Acting and writing phenomenal​ and powerful. I would see it again.

Don't see it if If you don't care about human rights and quality of education for all. Great story--very powerful.

See it if you're interested in a well done drama about young men trying to secure a future for themselves.

Don't see it if the subject of elite higher education for scholarship students--and how they get those scholarships--doesn't appeal to you.

See it if Great view of culture shock. Two Bronx ghetto kids at a Mass college. Solid acting. Excellent supporting actors. Lovely set. Sprawling tree.

Don't see it if Scenes somewhat long winded. Play clears its throat a lot. One person's relationship breakup a time killer. Counselor gf issue irrelevant.

Also Give Soule her own play. She's always warm, sexy and has a honey dipped voice. The other professor has a baritone to die for and should never be out of work. Nice costumes. Cardigan, loafers, busy socks.... Read more Read less

See it if it was a great surprise - I didn’t expect very much coming in, but the script and acting were very good. The show is emotional and touching.

Don't see it if don’t have anything negative to say. Grasps and keeps one’s attention. One of the best plays I saw this season.

See it if you want to see two young, up and coming actors knock it out of the park and a show that is simultaneously heartbreaking and hopeful

Don't see it if you don't like foul language or are prejudiced against certain types of people

See it if Truly captivating, convincing characters and a storyline that trample the emotion-charged debate between race-based college admissions

Don't see it if You do not recognize the deep racial divide in America

Also versus the transparent system based on SAT scores and other quantifiable qualities.... Read more Read less