Woody Sez: The Life & Music of Woody Guthrie

See it if you want a glorious 2 hrs of music/ words. WS is loaded w talent, esply the charismatic "Woody." WS'll delight your ears and open your heart

Don't see it if you need a narrative arc. WS is a concert, with a bit of biography. WG lived the life he sang about, so the songs are woven in seamlessly.

Also You will be thrilled by the musicianship. All four actors play multiple instruments and sing beautifully. This show (and not Julius Caesar at the Delacorte) will make you ache for a better America.... Read more Read less

See it if You're a fan of Woody Guthrie or want to learn more about his life.

Don't see it if You expect a show that draws any parallels between his music and his life or history. They might have but sound was BAD-couldn't hear A LOT!

See it if Emotional bio with great music. I fell in love with Woody... his causes, his fellowship, and his tragedies. This show has a lot of heart.

Don't see it if You don't like bios, or don't like folk music about the plight of the impoverished, much of it during the Great Depression.

See it if Powerful musical tribute to folk/activist Woody Guthrie. Lutken's majestic portrayal of Guthrie captures both vocal & physical attributes

Don't see it if Too many songs cheat us out of a more telling book; rather surface depict of Guthrie but potent reminder that the "good fight" never ends

See it if cast of four present a delightful tale (with songs) about the life of Woody Guthrie. About 16-20 instruments used by the four talents.

Don't see it if if you do not like folk music.

See it if you are a fan of Woody Guthrie. Showcases his life and many of his songs. Cast of 4 singers/musicians tell his tale.See America thru him.

Don't see it if you do not like folk music or music that is critical of capitalism and the rich.

See it if you are interested in the life and music of Woody Guthrie. 4 exuberant actors/musicians make his story relevant!

Don't see it if you are not interested in learning about Woody Guthrie or hearing his songs.

See it if Enjoy folk music & are interested in the socio-political history behind these songs. Cast is talented and set/lighting adds drama.

Don't see it if You aren't interested in hearing about the working man in 20th cent. history and may not enjoy the leftist politics of Woody Guthrie.

Also I found this thoroughly entertaining and loved the little bits of story that were artfully woven between the songs. As others have mentioned, this is more a staged concert than a play, and is not a full retelling of Guthrie's life (no mention of his alcoholism), but the mini-bio is interesting, compelling, hopeful, and also sad.

Saw this at the Irish Rep, late August, 2017.... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in Woody Guthrie, the man who wrote songs about America, and the people who built it into the country that it is today.

Don't see it if You cannot bear to hear a Socialist point of view. Dislike folk music. Do not care about Woody Guthrie's tough life.

Also Woody Guthrie died of ALS. He had a very tough upbringing and this play describes it through his talk and song.
The 4 actors play instruments, sing, and portray different characters to bring his story to life.
David M. Lutken is amazing in the part of Woody!... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy the music of Woody Guthrie and will appreciate seeing the story of his life as a musician and activist.

Don't see it if you are so young that you never heard of Woodie Guthrie,; dislike folk music; are looking for a "plot"; this is a bio of Guthrie in music

See it if You're an artist, patriot, citizen and have worried that our commercial culture threatens to dull your passion or compromise your integrity

Don't see it if You can’t abide folk music; you want visual splendor; it's boring when there are no brash divas and only normal people onstage

Also This production is a poem—all language and rhythm. Plaintive melodies and soulful tunes threaded through a lyrical biography. The songs and the 4 singer-musicians sound marvelous.

Not a lot of stage magic illusionism (which could actually hurt the effect of this production) and sometimes WS risks losing your attention because it’s largely for the ear and less for the eye. Very easy to miss something beautiful if you let your mind wander.

Other things the show does so, so well:
1. Sidesteps the predictable artist-as-a-tortured-depressive narrative. Guthrie is presented as a reflective humanist who rose above his personal tragedy by engaging with the world rather than retreating into himself

2. Produces politically conscious theater by awakening a desire for something more fair and sensible (instead of churning feelings of blame and insult)

3. Manages tone to be sincere but not pious, knowing but not cynical, kind but not passive. Dashes of humor and hootenanny punctuate the pace.... Read more Read less

See it if you dont know anything about Woody Guthrie. Want to see some great musicians at work. Want to hear Guthrie's music well performed.

Don't see it if You want something in depth/ not geared toward entertainment by eliding over the serious issues Guthrie faced.

Also I went with a friend who actually knew Guthrie so perhaps I am a bit jaded. I felt that the first act made Woody Guthrie too buffoonish. This is not an impression of Guthrie it is a celebration of his music.

Early Dylan would give you a much better representation of Guthrie, he did after all say Guthrie was his greatest early influence and his own "Talkin" series is indicative of that.... Read more Read less

See it if you like the music of Woody Guthrie.

Don't see it if you expect a good story and character development. This is a review of Guthrie's songs held together with a loose narrative of his life.

See it if you like folk music, Woody's songs interspersed with stories of his life as told by an actor speaking Woody's words; rousing music

Don't see it if want more of an in-depth look at his life, don't want stories about the great Depression

Also the four actors play a variety of instruments on stage from a harmonica to a bass (and, briefly spoons)- they are excellent in all they play... Read more Read less

See it if you like folk music and want to know more about Middle America during the Depression. More a history lesson with snippets of Woody's music.

Don't see it if you do not like folk music. The cast of four are musically muli talented.

See it if you like the music of Woody Guthrie or just enjoy folk music and would like to know more about his life.

Don't see it if if you don't like folk music or not a fan of Woody Guthrie.

See it if you are a Guthrie fan. The lead is fantastic! A inspirational life story of an activist, songwriter. More folk story than traditional play

Don't see it if .. because it closed in NYC - sounds like it will be mounted again. If it's near you, it's worth seeing.

Also I saw this the 9/09, the day before closing. I wish it had extended it's run. I would recommend it for school groups. - to see Guthrie's moral compass and the hardships he endured. It made for the framework of a great history lesson.

Needs a 15-20 minute edit. In it's current form, it's too long. Some of the supporting actors/musicians were better as musicians. But overall, a charming and inspiring piece of theatre. And the lead was great.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy protest folk songs performed by extremely talented musicians and singers that provide entertainment and is very relevant to today.

Don't see it if you dislike protest folksongs that support very progressive political positions.

See it if you want to spend two hours with talented musicians/singers with Woody Guthrie's biographical info interwoven into the plot.

Don't see it if you don't like folk music.

Also The four talented performers seem to be enjoying the performance as much as the audience. Wonderful evening.... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in a quick survey of Woody Guthrie's life and music. He has such an impressive songbook.

Don't see it if You want something more in depth. While I enjoyed the music, it was difficult to have an emotional connection.

See it if You are a fan of Woody Guthrie's music and would like to know more about his life and times.

Don't see it if You are expecting to laugh. Most of Guthrie's story is tragic.

See it if If you like Woody Guthrie's music GO. The musicians and singers are outstanding. Show far superior to 59 E 59 production a few years ago

Don't see it if If you do not like Woody's music, you are against his politics, you do not care for small musical productions, blue grass or folk.

See it if You like incredibly talented musicians who will share the story of Woody Guthrie through song. Foot tapping, fun and poignant.

Don't see it if You don't like folk music, don't care about politics, don't like historical plays or biographies.

See it if For a rousing musical tour through Woody Guthrie's life, music, care for the working man by an excellent ensemble playing all instruments

Don't see it if You don't like musical singalong but even if you don't care for his music or politics this is an endearing group and feel good theater

See it if you are a fan of Woody Guthrie or just want to learn more about him, if you like folk music, if you want to be entertained and inspired.

Don't see it if you don't like folk music, you don't like leftist politics, you want theatre to be elaborately staged, you don't like biographical shows.