What We're Up Against (WP Theater)

See it if Deft script and superb performances help this 90’s work shine in 2017. Krysta Rodriguez is exceptional. Nice, intimate show.

Don't see it if Don’t like workplace dramas or issue about equality or harassment.

See it if Over-the-top comic satire of blatantly sexist office. Recently hired young woman is smarter than everyone else. Fireworks ensue.

Don't see it if You don't like caricatures. You don't see the humor in foul language. You can't laugh, scream and cry at the same time.

See it if Campbell-Holt's energetic direction & an excellent ensemble (esp Rodriguez's unlikable heroine) elevate this gender/workplace diatribe

Don't see it if Written in 1992, still stingingly current but Rebeck's typical heavy handedness mars the discourse; written with a crayon instead of a pen

See it if see also

Don't see it if see also

Also A 95 by partner and an 88 gets a 92. The entire cast have his/her role perfected.. For a 1992 play to be relevant today is some kind of wizardry. Every gal will love the play.

The set is just so very good. I imagined the 2nd level glass table as the glass ceiling. ..

Audience was great on the night that we attended.

Just a reminder ...after the ride in the elevator (unless you can send someone ahead) ..there are two tough staircases to go..
One other warning. Forget about the first two rows (my favorites) for this production ...... Read more Read less

See it if You're a fan of Rebeck or the cast, you'd like to see how a 2011 play set in 1992 about the glass ceiling holds up,

Don't see it if You're not a fan of office set, issue plays which frustrate because not a lot has changed since'92, don't like seeing people at their worst

See it if you want to see an extremely well-written and incisive look at sexism in the workplace that makes you squirm in how accurate it is.

Don't see it if you want to leave the theater feeling good about the world.

See it if Extremely well acted, totally engrossing show. And totally relevant.

Don't see it if you have no interested in issues regarding women in the workplace. Play takes place in 1992. Still, unfortunately, totally current issues.

See it if you enjoy a powerful drama about the difficulties of women in the workplace. Nice staging and good acting.

Don't see it if you don't enjoy stories about women's issues in the workplace.

Also With 2 levels of staging, you are better off sitting higher up so you don't get a crick in the neck.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a show about a woman who rises up and does well in a predominately male driven workplace

Don't see it if You are looking for something different. This show took absolutely no chances and five minutes in you pretty much know what’s going to happe

Also This is the definition of what I would call a “safe” show. Everything about it was average. Some of the things that bothered me where that the set was stacked one set was on stage level and the other set was above it. More than 50% of the play took place on the higher set which made it hard for audience members in the first few rows to see without straining their neck. The acting was balanced and everyone did a good job and was well cast. What I don’t understand is the actor Jim parrack Who I really like a lot. He had two very big and distracting tattoos on the backside of both of his hands. I can’t figure out why. I can’t imagine that the director would have had the character with these tattoos because it made no sense based on what the character was about. But then I don’t understand why a professional actor would have those tattoos that could cause him to not get certain roles. No one will love this show but no one will Hate it either... Read more Read less

See it if You are not tired of workplace dramas. You enjoy the twists and turns of the way sexism plays out in an office setting.

Don't see it if You can’t deal with lots of raw language. You have no interest in realism you are looking for fantasy. Realism portrayed is painful to watch

See it if You are a fan of Theresa Rebeck.

Don't see it if You want fresh exciting theatre.

See it if you’ll benefit from examples of how NOT to act at work (esp. a new job)—whether you’re skilled but unpopular, or privileged but talentless

Don't see it if you’ll use “unrealistic" characters as an excuse to not engage w/ the conflicts: woman/man, young blood/old pros, alpha-female/beta-female

Also A well-constructed thought-experiment of a play: if you tried to prove sexism at work what blind test would you conduct; how would coworkers react; what could you reasonably expect to gain from exposing bias? A smart choice to make Eliza only partly sympathetic.

One criticism of WWUA is that real people are more discreet—they don’t talk/think this way. But I see Weber’s delusional self-confidence and Janice’s patient, survivalist coping mechanisms all the time. The unearned advantages, generational differences, financial stakes, and competitive threats are real enough. Are “real” characters w/ irrelevant childhoods necessary? (Also interesting how audiences become less tolerant of theatrical standbys like summary dialog & human tropes when the subject is a workaday routine they might participate in.) Enjoyed how clearly the play identified the interpersonal dysfunction within corporate culture.

*SPOILER*
Most satisfying thing about WWUA = each character gets what they deserve.... Read more Read less

See it if you're interested in an entertaining yet concerning portrayal of workplace sexism in 1992 which unfortunately remains relevant. Great cast.

Don't see it if you're looking for a play with a lot of new ideas—the plot is predictable, but fast-paced and deals with important issues.

Also The set is two levels so you may prefer to sit further back for the most comfortable view.... Read more Read less

See it if you'd like to understand the depth and scope of the misogyny that got us a human twatwaffle running loose in the White House.

Don't see it if you'd like to cling to the belief that sexism isn't a systemic, relentless nightmare that propels mediocre/bad men above exceptional women.

Also Set in the early 90's, this play shows how far we really *haven't* come, and why we may never achieve real equality.... Read more Read less

See it if A 90’s work place drama involving a womans treatment by a male dominated staff and other women. Well written and produced.

Don't see it if Do not see if you prefer musicals or light dramas. Do not see if you are put off by women’s issues relating to equality.

See it if you like shows about misogyny, office politics, clever and perceptive writing, superb acting and direction.

Don't see it if you dislike shows about women's issues, dark comedies and satirical, somewhat stereotypical, characters.

See it if you ever wanted to experience office politics which out having to actually be involved in them.

Don't see it if experiencing this office politics drama cuts a little to close to the REAL LIFE drama of your current work place.

Also Having been fired from three different architecture firms and then laid off from a fourth firm just three years ago, Theresa Rebeck's new play hits the nail on the head (pun intended) of real life architecture work place drama. Krysta Rodriguez was amazing as the frustrated five month hire. Also, it was FUN to see Marg Helgenberger - from TV's CSI crime series - here live on stage. And finally Damian Young was spot of as the asshole boss. Bravo Theresa Rebeck! This play brought back many work place issues I didn't want to remember, but that I now realize I need to let go of and move on with my life. There's nothing like theater that puts perspective on your own life.... Read more Read less

See it if The current conversation about sexual harassment has you riled up.

Don't see it if You want the playwright to take you somewhere new.

Also Like other Reneck plays, she articulates the obvious very well; too many words and a specious intermission slow down this one-note show that’s meant to be blistering, but never rises above predictability.... Read more Read less

See it if Smart script, crisp dialogue, perfect actors, great sets. Fascinating window int 1990s gender issues at work. Lots of funny moments!

Don't see it if You don't like shows set at work or are looking for a musical. Otherwise, there's no reason to not see this witty play!

See it if you want to see an important, absorbing and delightful play dealing with a toxic office situation.

Don't see it if you don't want to see a relevant play about office politics.

Also This is a wonderful play that gives you something to think about and discuss.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a play about work place politics, the treatment and how some women try to get ahead.

Don't see it if You are not interested in a play about the work place and how some women might be treated.

See it if you want to see a thought-provoking play about the dynamics and inequities that still exist for female workers

Don't see it if you are offended by cursing; or demand fully developed characters

Also I think this play overall did a nice job of exposing some of the problems in the workplace that I have witnessed in my career - and know they still exist. But, to some extent, the characters were too one-dimensional even though the acting was very good.

The script had a nasty, yet funny, twist towards the end - and I can relate to the concept having had more than one boss claim to be the author of my work.... Read more Read less

See it if Play has snap, crackle and pop. Writing is near flawless, a female David Mamet. Direction is excellent. Stage design is brilliant. KR bomb.

Don't see it if You hate polemics disguised as plays or obscene dialogue. You hate actors with distracting tattoos. One actor has his hands full. Good grief

Also Krysta Rodriguez is clearly the attraction, even in a play with Marg Helgenberger. A stunning performance by a stunning lady. Both look great and master fast paced dense prose. The three men seem like bland cardboard, empty suit characters by comparison. Fortunately, the two women are pitted against each other in Act II to really bring the drama. It does feel like Mamet was a script consultant. TR's style is a crisp blueprint. The work is original, but still feels like grand theft.... Read more Read less

See it if you like well-acted plays about important issues that make you thing, but don't have any easy answers.

Don't see it if you don't like plays that bring up issues that can't be resolved within the course of the play and that stay with you after you see the play

See it if you like Rebeck's sharp wit; you enjoy Mamet-esque gender politics; want a workplace revenge parable more than a character driven comedy

Don't see it if you're expecting searching insights; these characters are largely illustrations of entrenched attitudes towards women in the workplace

Also I kept wondering why (aside from some plot points that perhaps would no longer be feasible) the play needed to be set in 1992. Surely sexist attitudes such as those portrayed are still with us. Was setting the play 25 years ago meant to show us how little has changed? It not only added little to the play; removing the action from the present somehow let us off the hook a bit.... Read more Read less