A Deal NYC Reviews and Tickets
Member Reviews (48)
See it if Exaggerated characters do stupid things that raise Chinese-American immigrant issues. Good for raising awareness.
Don't see it if Characters act in ways inconsistent with their earlier selves. I could no longer suspend my disbelief. Rolling my eyes by the end.
See it if You are interested in a subject that involves proud Chinese parents trying to come to grips with their daughter leaving behind theirculture
Don't see it if You are expecting a polished production Read more
See it if An unrealistic relationship between a wealthy traditional Chinese couple and their US educated daughter .
Don't see it if If you prefer musicals or well written dramas.
See it if You are interested in a play based on the changing identity of the Chinese and how it is influenced by their changing economic reality
Don't see it if You want a big production with songs that will leave you whistling this is an intimate entertainment
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.
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
See it if you are interested in Chinese families undergoing intergenerational conflict or the problems of first-generation Americans
Don't see it if you only want a happy ending or expect just one-liners Read more
See it if You like to compare and contrast cultures, ideologies, and generations. Serious issues, breezy treatment.
Don't see it if You seek answers. This play raises myriad questions and concludes that the problems are insoluble.
Critic Reviews (3)
“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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“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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“‘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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