We Live by the Sea

See it if If you are open to a deeply moving theater experience.

Don't see it if You prefer conventional or light entertainment shows

Also Offers an insight into the potential for every person to experience joy and fulfillment in life, regardless of what might appear to be overwhelming obstacles.... Read more Read less

See it if you'd like to have your empathy-capacity expanded while learning credibly and entertainingly what life on the spectrum can be...

Don't see it if you don't like semi-immersive plays dealing with relevant but sometimes uncomfortable subjects...also it's a bit noisy at the beginning.

See it if You're interested in exploring the issue of autism in a creative and extremely empathetic prism.

Don't see it if You are Uncomfortable with someone who is obviously having a difficult time, you are initially put off you and end up totally cheering.

See it if you dig devised theater that is a little ramshackle.

Don't see it if you want a really nuanced play.

Also There is clearly talent on stage. Solid acting, some beautiful projections and good music/sound design at points. But, the devised story has some silly points (the romance is not compelling), and everything doesn't cohere. A decent evening of theater, but not transcendent.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to be enraptured by the characters and the acting; you could not tell if the lead was on the spectrum in reality or not!

Don't see it if You have no tolerance for persons with disabilities or heartwarming themes.

Also I cried; was so emotionally connected!

See it if you like different stories about human experiences

Don't see it if you want something light and easy

See it if If you like wonderful acting scenes and a mix of drama and funny moments.

Don't see it if you don't like great acting!

See it if You want to see a play that is uplifting, funny and emotional. Especially if you liked Curious Incident but wanted something more

Don't see it if If you do not want to see a glimpse into a life of someone with autism

Also This was such a great show and I saw it in previews and was blown away by the acting, humour and the music. A real ensemble cast of great story-tellers and lovely direction. I was a bit worrried about it being too British but it wasn't and I had no trouble with the accents- would really highly recommend... Read more Read less

See it if There aren't enough words to describe the quality of this show. The acting and storyline were superb. This is a must-see.

Don't see it if N/A

See it if you want a story that will bring you into a, generally, unknown world. Devotion, love, family ties and a perspective changing conclusion.

Don't see it if You want to see DC Comic themes and explosions.

See it if you like powerful stories about amazing characters overcoming difficult situations, and appreciate clever visual & sound design.

Don't see it if you just want a laugh or have difficulty watching portrayals of people dealing with autism.

See it if You want to see an amazing portrayal of an autistic girl, the people in her life, and her world as perceived by both herself & others

Don't see it if You have difficulty parsing rapid Northern-England-accented dialogue, or have difficulty dealing w/ graphic portrayal of the world of autism

Also This production was mind-bogglingly phenomenal. All of the actors, but Alexandra Brain especially, presented exceptionally real characters dealing with an incredibly emotionally fraught existence. I wish I'd seen it earlier so that I could tell everyone I know about it and there'd be time for them to see it. This show, and Alexandra Brain in particular, should win any and all awards for which they qualify. The music and talent of Josh Flowers and Julianna Zachariou was lovely. Set design & lighting effects were brilliant.... Read more Read less

See it if The central character, Katy, is autistic. The play brings you inside her life and her mind in a way I’ve never experienced.

Don't see it if It’s not a light comedy. It’s no tragedy, either, but expect to be drawn into the characters’ lives.

See it if You want great theater, good story-telling, acting, music and a heart-warming evening

Don't see it if You don’t like top notch British theater

Also Overcome with the beauty and warmth of this play. The New York Times review did not over-exaggerate how great this show is. We cried and laughed and were in awe of the whole cast and crew!... Read more Read less

See it if charming, witty, and poignant! A timely story that is warm and refreshing. Bring tissues!!

Don't see it if there's no reason why you wound't want to see this

See it if You're looking for a beautiful evening

Don't see it if You're after a fluffy musical

See it if you’re interested in how autism affects both the person living with autism & the people who love them, or in what it means to be human.

Don't see it if confronting the difficult details of living with autism will spook you.

Also This is a strong production about a pressing issue. It deals particularly with the life of a teenage girl living with autism, & how her interactions with the world affect her & the 2 people that mean most to her. But in a wider sense it’s about humanity & inhumanity. The acting is terrific, the script full of telling details about the lives of its 3 human characters (plus an invisible talking dog), & a 2-person band plays & sings beautifully before & during the 90-minute piece. If there’s a drawback, it’s a slight one that should not prevent anyone with an interest in autism from seeing this piece. The play never reaches beyond the web of conventions that, over the past several years, have accrued to dramatic pieces about challenging physical & mental conditions. But thanks to all involved for a sensitive, finely etched piece that engages the deadly serious subject of how people with power tend to bully people without it—& how to begin to challenge this state of affairs.... Read more Read less

See it if you don’t know anyone w/ special needs, are bringing your bully kids to teach them empathy (program recommends 12 yrs+)

Don't see it if you avoid plays about lonely, needy children*; want a fuller discussion on how society can accommodate disability/difference

Also *Katy is 15 but has intellectual disabilities in addition to autism that age her at ~10.

Polished & well acted w/ a constructive, positive purpose. A good companion to The Curious Incident…Night-Time. I’ve known someone w/ special needs for most of my life which is coloring my judgement of the show’s sentimentality. WLBTS is a short-term view of the issue, but still an empathic story that communicates a lot in 90 minutes w/o becoming overly technical.

I like that the show is well-edited and doesn’t try to cram in too many topics, so the following isn’t a criticism but an observation. The thing w/ making the show about a child and her winsome innocence is that it effectively removes the controversy & thorny questions amongst care providers on how wider society determines/supports who “deserves” services and the extent of the services. I appreciated how Curious Incident—about someone approaching adulthood—was more ambiguous in its ending and seemed truer to reality in that regard.... Read more Read less

See it if For anyone interested in developmental issues such as autism. Beautifully acted.

Don't see it if Do not see if you are sensitive to those who are autistic and a look at the consequences.

See it if Two sisters experience the magic and kindness of a new friend; A touching performance of the thoughts/feelings of a 15 yr old autistic girl.

Don't see it if you aren't sensitive and compassionate to understanding there is a "different kind of thinking"

Also no loud noises, no touching, no crowds, but there are many other things that make Katy happy. She incorporates her imaginary stories into her daily routine and is aware of the cruelty of her schoolmates who call her names and hurt her physically.

At this performance we had an understudy for Katy and she did a remarkable job.

Located in one of 59E59 smaller theaters... there are sight line issues even from row F... a lot of the direction has the actors sitting on the stage which made it hard to see the actors at times.... Read more Read less

See it if You appreciate organically developed drama about autism, performed by the creators

Don't see it if You are tired of plays on this theme, or prefer more conventionally structured theatre.

See it if You want to see a beautifully written, well acted, slice of life piece dealing with autism.

Don't see it if You’re not in the mood for a small scale, very British work.

Also There’s a lot of to admire in this show. Each character felt genuine. The staging was minimalistic, but in a thoughtful, effective way. The acting was excellent. I saw this performance with an understudy in the lead role of Katy, and I couldn’t imagine another actress doing a better job. Few would actively dislike this piece, and I’m sure many will love it. Personally, I found myself preferring the clunkier, more obvious, yet more emotionally resonant Amy and the Orphans, which also centers on siblings coping with disability. This production felt almost too meticulous for my tastes, my reaction to many high caliber British films as well. Still, anyone could appreciate the craft involved, and this show earns its high Show-Score rating.... Read more Read less

See it if poignant and earnest exploration of the internal life of an autistic teenage girl. Beautiful original music with live music. A+

Don't see it if you are bothered by loud noises or flashing lights. Ironically, could limit accessibility for neuro-atypical folks.

See it if If you can put up with acting and writing that treats autism as hypersensitive histrionics.

Don't see it if You have something better to do.

See it if You want to see great acting and a moving, oft-emotional portrayal of an autistic girl as a three dimensional being.

Don't see it if You want a lively musical and don't want to see a relevant and empathic portrayal of an autistic young person.