We're Only Alive for a Short Amount of Time

See it if you want immersion in theater that's funny, moving, tragic, tender, harsh. Personal tragedy becomes art. Triumph of writing/acting. Gr band

Don't see it if you want a gr singer (Cale isn't) or gr lyrics (soft rhymes/repetition). Ending is abrupt. But the piece envelops you...kidnaps you.

Also Someone should make Maddie Corman (Accidentally Brave) see this show...so she would understand that true art can be made out of personal tragedy. Cale's writing is both uplifting and devastating. His acting is mesmerizing. His weak singing barely detracts. I felt transported.... Read more Read less

See it if Inspiring solo autobio, overcoming horrific dysfunctional family. Many touching moments. Beautiful musical accompaniment. Full of feeling.

Don't see it if His vocals are not the strongest, but I enjoyed their creativity. His passion borders on mania, which can be a lot to take.

See it if Cale's autobiographical solo drama/ tone poem is moving, often riveting and a little indulgent Well performed esp as his mother Barbara

Don't see it if Problem is a slack dramaturgy; veering from the tabloid to the maudlin w/ Barbara often dominating drama Recitative songs grow tiresome

See it if you want to see an adept monologist paint a family portrait in words & song, full of fear, violence, vulnerability, pathos, hope & flight.

Don't see it if you're really not interested in hearing about another working-class dysfunctional family & the beleaguered son's triumph over adversity.

Also A lot has been said about Cale's less-than-stellar singing voice, and with good reason. (This would arguably be an even more compelling piece -- certainly a more polished one -- if Cale would let another actor/singer tell his story.) However, I eventually found it quite endearing, considering how much of his growing up story revolved around wanting to become a singing star. He may not have had the innate talent to do so, but it's lovely that he finally gets to tell his own story in song.... Read more Read less

See it if You love solo shows where one person plays multiple characters — and you’re okay with a very slow-build plot. (The first half is boring.)

Don't see it if You dislike when writers perform their own work — especially when it’s a musical and the performer isn’t a skilled singer.

See it if Beautiful self portrayal of a hellish childhood & the ability to remain hopeful, loving & kind. Musicians & accompaniments are beautiful.

Don't see it if not interested in theme of rising above family dysfunction. Cale is not a good singer/songs not particularly melodic - heartfelt instead.

See it if Written/perf by Brit re his life. Cale evokes several characters very deftly in speech/song. He survives true crime horror w tenderness.

Don't see it if It's dark & funny & warm & mesmerizing, but he's an oddball guy w a not-so-hot singing voice. If you don't like quirky, I'd avoid this.

See it if You like one man shows with live music. You want a very quiet night of theater. A pleasant 80min.

Don't see it if You want to be kept engaged. I found this confusing and at times tedious. I was not taken by the story until close to the end.

Also The show got a standing ovation when I went, but 9/10th of the house. I think this just wasn't for me.... Read more Read less

See it if You appreciate solo shows with music.

Don't see it if You don't like solo shows.

See it if you like autobiographical one man shows.This had some lovely moments but it dragged.Music was delightful.Minimal set was good.

Don't see it if you are looking for anything new.Adult man talks about bad childhood, finds sympathy for parents as he tears them down.Edit down to 70 min.

See it if Cale sings and tells the story of his childhood in England. The events he describes are horrific. A testament to survival and spirit.

Don't see it if The show starts off slow, and it doesn't get into the meat of the story until about halfway through.

See it if you want to see one of the best solo performances in town right now. Incredible how the addition of music, great staging make it above par.

Don't see it if you don't like solo shows. This one is special, though.

See it if you like a 1 character show that has fine acting & explores how a person, with a very difficult childhood, attempts to cope with life.

Don't see it if you dislike a performer who sings, but very poorly, & has a very sad life story that is mostly commonplace except for one critical incident.

See it if You like David Cale. I had never seen him, but now would not miss the chance. He is a compelling performer and held my interest.

Don't see it if a man in lazy day clothes on stage does not sound fulfilling. you do not care for other people's growing up stories. Yo want loud music.

See it if you have ever heard any boasting about actor/writer David Cale, because it is all TRUE and not to be missed!!!!

Don't see it if the thought of spending 83 minutes being mesmerized by an actor performing his latest one man show about his unusual upbringing sounds dull.

Also I am a TOTAL David Cale FAN from the the first play of his I saw here in New York - Lillian, and then subsequently
Betwixt , A Likely Story, and to my surprise a play I have been PRAISING -
Harry Clarke - of which I just learned today that he wrote it. This man is a MASTER WORDSMITH and celebrates the QUIRKY in all of us. NOT TO BE MISSED anywhere he is performing!!!!!!... Read more Read less

See it if You like one person shows; appreciate effective storytelling; like tales of family dynamics and crises.

Don't see it if Are bothered by tales of family strive and violence.

Also Quite a captivating and entertaining 85 minutes. Cale has real talent as a writer, actor, singer.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in a one-person show grappling with a challenging personal narrative; you love David Cale's other work

Don't see it if you need a fully-fleshed out show or flashy production; you aren't interested in one-person shows

Also It's always a little hard to judge projects like this that are deeply heartfelt, honest, and authentic, but don't quite connect as a production. David Cale bares his heart and soul, and the story is compelling, but the sum isn't really greater than the whole of its parts. I'd have been very interested to see this in the hands of another performer...just to see what a degree of distance from the material provides. Ultimately worth the attendance, though.... Read more Read less

See it if you are up for a one-man show about his dysfunctional family & how he escaped & maintained his hope & love for life

Don't see it if you have had more than your share of dysfunctional families, although this one is true

See it if you're a fan of the actor and enjoy one man shows with a story to tell.

Don't see it if you want to see a polished play.

Also I found the repetitive songs were a distraction from the story. Also, the actor does not have a good voice. After the performance, however, many people gave a standing ovation.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy solo shows.

Don't see it if you don’t enjoy solo shows.

Also the script doesn’t hit its stride until a little past the halfway point, but Cale’s youthful earnestness sells it and guides it to a devastating climax that will invariably produce tears for anyone with a heart.... Read more Read less

See it if Moving story wonderfully told of childhood in England. David Cale is a born storyteller.

Don't see it if David Cale is not a born singer unfortunately and his plaintiff tunes aren't as effective as his shape shifting monologues.

Also What struck me most about this one-man show is how sympathetic I felt for all the characters described. Considering the horror of the tragedy this is quite a feat.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see something different, a personal story presented in a surprisingly intriguing manner, with simple but beautiful music.

Don't see it if You don’t like solo shows, only want to hear singing by highly trained performers, need elaborate sets and props.

See it if You’re interested in well-told memoirs, storytelling, thoughtful musical excursions into the past. A really beautiful, honest show

Don't see it if You dislike one-man shows, need a full cast and big Broadway show

See it if you like one person's creative, interesting retelling of difficult childhood and how impact of events led him to relative freedom as adult

Don't see it if you are averse to depictions of dysfunctional family life, might find the piece indulgent (I didn't), Cale's singing and music tangential.

Also This is a very well conceived piece of autobiographical story-telling, brilliantly performed and quite entertaining. The live music is quite lovely, and although Cale is not a singer per-se, the songs themselves are lovely and poetic. Worth seeing.... Read more Read less

See it if A compelling story beautifully told. Original with splendid musical accompaniment.

Don't see it if You are looking for a showy musical with fancy costumes and flashy numbers.