See it if You want feel your actual emotions; be moved by intelligent storytelling; witness theatre like you haven’t before
Don't see it if You find it difficult to live in the juxtaposition of reality and metaphor; loud music is hard to handle Read more
See it if You enjoy good music and existentialism
Don't see it if You want a traditional show
See it if you want to see a great singer rock out to the inevitability of death. Well staged and well performed by the entire cast/band.
Don't see it if you are hoping for a traditional musical or play, or if you have trouble dealing with the fact that everyone's going to die.
See it if You enjoy great singing & poignant stories by the lead. Full band. Would love to hear a soundtrack released.
Don't see it if You don't like tons of balloons being released at the very end of the show.
See it if This is a raucous, high energy, one woman show with a great ensemble backing her. Sing they do. She has a lovely voice easy to listen to.
Don't see it if This is loud. Sad. As in Straight White Male, we are bombarded with hits echoing death and dying. Lights flash and players MOVE. Read more
See it if You like good music behind a story
Don't see it if you don't like a one woman show
See it if A smart and dark performance that perhaps would stand better as a cabaret show than a full-blown play, WGD plumbs the feeling of loneliness.
Don't see it if The lead singer/actor felt perhaps too stage-y, too much of a performer for the relatively plain-spoken and deadpan text and music.
See it if a truly enjoyable mix of story telling & great songs sung with lots of heart backed by a terrific band appeals to you. A hybrid, fun piece!!
Don't see it if If subject of catastrophic illness is way too painful for you. Otherwise, it's irrepressibly engaging—McDermoth is terrific as is the band!
"In ‘We’re Gonna Die,’ Pop Songs for the Reaper: Young Jean Lee offers upbeat tunes about downbeat lives and inevitable ends."
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4/5 Stars. "'We're Gonna Die' is in no way sentimental, but it's full of earnest emotion. As our guide and avatar, McDermoth is charming and sounds great, and the band behind her gets our blood pumping even when our hearts are breaking."
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"Lifeboats and Lifelines: Two Musicals Make the Case for Not Giving Up"
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"Face Your Mortality the Fun Way: With Young Jean Lee's 'We're Gonna Die'
Janelle McDermoth stars in Second Stage's new production of Lee's theatrical concert."
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"The sounds are as mellow as good whiskey enjoyed in the midnight hour of a troubled day that is swiftly receding into memory."
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"This uncategorizable show...presents one of the frankest reflections on death, aging, rejection and isolation that you are likely to see on stage. Yet, it also happens to be one of the most exhilarating, reassuring, and life-affirming performances you may experience this year."
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4/5 Stars. "If I said you were going to have a great time at a musical called 'We're Gonna Die,' you probably wouldn't believe me. But Young Jean Lee's show will send you off with a smile on your face."
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4/5 Stars. "A surprisingly lively look at death, 'We're Gonna Die' directly confronts human mortality with some songs, a few stories, and a matter-of-fact attitude."
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