A Deal NYC Reviews and Tickets

79%
(48 Ratings)
Positive
85%
Mixed
13%
Negative
2%
Members say
Relevant, Entertaining, Intelligent, Absorbing, Clever

About the Show

In Urban Stages' dark comedy, Mr. and Mrs. Li, like many new upper-middle-class Chinese families, are proud to give their daughter a life they could only dream of, but they soon realize she’s turning into a dangerous stranger.

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Show-Score Member Reviews (48)

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86 Reviews | 10 Followers
90
Resonant, Relevant, Intelligent

See it if You have an interest in immigrants, especially Chinese immigrants

Don't see it if You dislike non judgemental treatments of casual sex, (although this was an aside to the story) sometimes over the top characterizations Read more

240 Reviews | 68 Followers
90
Great writing, Relevant, Masterful, Funny, Clever

See it if You'd like to see a play about the great cultural divide between America and China, as people caught in the middle sort out their identity

Don't see it if You struggle to keep up with accents, you don't appreciate dark comedy, you can't relate to stories of immigration and culture clash.

91 Reviews | 19 Followers
88
Entertaining, Intelligent, Refreshing, Resonant, Slow

See it if you're an actor, New Yorker, Chinese or just interested in seeing a fun interesting play that is nicely staged and well performed

Don't see it if you can't stand it when some scenes are a bit slow or prolonged

162 Reviews | 18 Followers
86
Ambitious, Absorbing, Entertaining, Funny, Intelligent

See it if you, want to see a drama disguised as a comedy or a comedy disguised as a drama, it is a little of both and well presented and worth seeing

Don't see it if It can be a little dizzying at times so if you don't like to have to work to keep up this might not be up your alley.

236 Reviews | 174 Followers
86
Great acting, Great staging, Great writing, Relevant, Intelligent

See it if This play delves into the psyches of a You prefer characters. It exposes the flaws and humanity of both cultures.

Don't see it if I can’t think of a reason not to see it

139 Reviews | 19 Followers
85
Clever, Great writing, Relevant, Refreshing, Intelligent

See it if for the subject matters of deception, truth, family, individualism and consequences of trying to succeed

Don't see it if no reason not to see it

53 Reviews | 25 Followers
83
Ambitious, Enchanting, Great staging, Quirky, Relevant

See it if enjoy great staging, exploration of duo culture written by by a young ambitions chinese playwright.

Don't see it if cannot follow somewhat disjointed scenes and are upset about foreigners buying real estate in New York City!

62 Reviews | 17 Followers
83
Absorbing, Ambitious, Great writing, Relevant, Thought-provoking

See it if you want a very ernest production of a play that will challenge your assumptions about its characters. Terrific central performance.

Don't see it if you'll be distracted by flaws in the play and the production; imperfect, but more effective than much of the more polished work out there.

Critic Reviews (3)

Theater Pizzazz
November 20th, 2017

“A play that was crying to be written, its subject matter now front and center...It touches many of the great issues of today: Chinese values versus American; the family versus the individual; what constitutes truth and in whose eyes; the immigrant’s dilemma—to remain voluntarily ghettoized or to assimilate...’A Deal’ is interesting, innovative—it’s structured in a series of vignettes—and thought-provoking. It’s also rich with humor...The work is splendidly directed by John Giampietro.”
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Theatre's Leiter Side
November 27th, 2017

“Yi's well-performed…play covers a few too many bases within its episodic, roughly 90-minute format, preventing it from going very deeply into any of them, but it manages to be consistently entertaining and informative…Most of this is offered on a lightly satirical platter, creating a tone more sitcom than serious dramatic exposé… Wei-Yi Lin makes a fine impression as the daughter torn between her parents' values and her goal of American success, and she's capably backed by the supporting company.”
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Diandra Reviews it All
November 22nd, 2017

“‘A Deal’ explores the illusory deals society makes to human beings that cross international waters like, 'work hard get rewarded 'or simply 'trust that life will guide you right.' In America, our biggest promises are welcome and opportunities for all, and this play reveals the lie…‘A Deal’ feels like a series of scenes from a film…Su’s “origin” lies devastate her parents who gave her so much, but Zhu Yi’s riveting writing goes on to question them, as well, in terms of the lies we tell ourselves.”
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