A Raisin in the Sun (Harlem Rep)

See it if If you like a great story with meaning. Very deep story about family, what money can do to it. Very good acting, staging

Don't see it if If you don't like a family story that can touch at the root of families.

See it if you would like to experience a moving production of a landmark play in a community context & done on a shoestring budget.

Don't see it if you are looking for a big budget experience.

Also I chose to sit onstage for Harlem Rep’s revival of "A Raisin in the Sun" & found this community-based production of this landmark play—for both the American theater & the African-American theater—very moving. The 1959 play, emerging in the middle of a decade that saw the most concentrated activity in the civil rights movement, remains remarkably strong & addresses us today in new ways. All the performers acquit themselves admirably. Amanda Hargrave as the matriarch of the clan is a powerhouse, vocally & otherwise. And Michael-Brown Taveras as the Younger family’s youngest member manages to be both sly & endearing at once.... Read more Read less

See it if You must see this classic play and you're willing to forgive many amateur elements, or you want to support HRT.

Don't see it if you're expecting polish of any kind. The blocking was odd, the costumes were just plain bad, some performances were wooden, some adequate.

See it if You want to see a thought-provoking production that is as relevant today as when it originated in 1959.

Don't see it if you don't like a lot of shouting. There's quite a bit.

Also Great performance by a small group. Support local theatres :)

See it if You like strong characters and an extremely talented ensamble in a somewhat smaller scale remake of a classic.

Don't see it if You want to see something original.

See it if you enjoy well-written family drama, even if the acting isn't quite as good.

Don't see it if you are a fan of the play and might bristle at a somewhat non-traditional staging.

See it if You want to see a great group of actors put on a classic. Loved the story line. Loved the interaction between characters. Great job by all

Don't see it if You do not like longer drawn out dramas. Otherwise a must see

See it if You'd enjoy a plot about a family on/below the poverty line, dealing with race and financial struggles. Some really impressive performances.

Don't see it if You are looking for polish.. It's a really low budget production in a middle school theater-- so if you can be ok with that-- go see it!

See it if You don’t mind actors who cannot project voice properly, miss their cue a lot, yell without intention; Is this a new cast? Doesn’t match 86

Don't see it if The theatre is dreadful - hot without ac, noise from the street, projector turned on by accident breaking the make-believe..

Also I watched a deeply moving “In the Heights” here, and had high expectation for Harlem Rep. After this show and “Pippin” which is also amateur, I don’t think I’ll come back again... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy watching realistic, human stories acted by people who clearly care about the characters.

Don't see it if you'll be turned off by the fact that the theater is on the second floor of a school; it feels low-budget.

See it if If you love dramas that tell revolutionary stories, have in-depth characters and poetic lines within the text;

Don't see it if If you're looking for a regularly structured plot line with a climax that gives great effect on the entire show;

See it if If you were blessed to see the original movie and then see this play then you know they stayed to the characters.A wonderful play about peop

Don't see it if If you don't see the strength in this play about a Black family and the situation that they have to face with the racism which existed.

Also people with pride and dignity.Many people have struggled in their life and this indicates their strength.... Read more Read less

See it if you like a great story.

Don't see it if you aren't available to (but if you are see it).

See it if You've never seen this important piece of American theater history.

Don't see it if You don't like theater about important issues.

See it if Well-acted production of one of the great realist plays. If you've never seen the play before- this is a strong version!

Don't see it if Some unevenness, though always big-hearted and engaging.

Also Show-Score marks this as two hours long- it' actually THREE hours. (I'd made plans for afterwards based on the shorter run-time...)... Read more Read less

See it if You like interesting theatre.

Don't see it if You don't want to see something emotional and moving by.

See it if You enjoy actors who give 100% yo their roles and make you forget they are not who they are portraying. Relevant to current social issues.

Don't see it if You need big fancy sets, are not interested in social and race issues, are bothered by hearing occasional outside street noise

See it if you want to see a decently done off off Broadway production of this beautiful story

Don't see it if you're expecting fantastic performances

See it if You're looking to see a well executed classic that still rings true to this day.

Don't see it if You're afraid of seeing the ugly truth about race in America.

See it if Black dramedy displaying the struggle of a family to achieve elusive american dream.

Don't see it if You believe the struggle to get ahead is equal for all.

See it if You enjoy the classic play. This new re-telling is staged well and is just as poignant as it ever has been. The cast was great as well!

Don't see it if You don’t like slow moving family dramas. You want a huge play with a big complicated set. You are looking for a hilarious show.

See it if See it with new eyes understanding what was happening then and now.

Don't see it if If you don't like plays about Black people trying to get ahead in life.

See it if you like strong characters and talented actors in a smaller production of a classic remake

Don't see it if you don't like theater for a cause or important issues we all face

See it if you will appreciate the noble efforts of this community focused theater even if they fall short in their ambitious goals.

Don't see it if you are expecting a great new interpretation of this wonderful theater classic.

Also The program notes promised this production would employ "expressionistic dream-like conventions... projections... musical underscoring." The result was unimpressive and looked awkward as some scenes were staged in the aisles and with poor lighting. The matriarch was played as an overbearing "Big Mama" stereotype which often overpowered the other actors on the stage trying provide some nuance to their characters. Many of the most dramatic moments of the play induced uncomfortable laughter in the audience.... Read more Read less

See it if Never seen the play and can get a cheap / free ticket.

Don't see it if Expecting a professional production with actors who are engaged emotionally with the text. (actor who plays the Matriarch is the exception

Also Actors dropped lines and could not pick up cues. The background music would go from loud to quiet to loud then cut off for no apparent reason. Lighting cues would be off. Two actors did a scene in the dark by the bar and after the scene was over then the spotlight came up on an empty bar. Other examples of lighting errors not be mentioned. A random projection screen in the background that serves no purpose. Started flashing HDMI at one point. Allows 5 or 6 audience seats to be on the stage for no reason (just a distraction). The wardrobe goes from period to contemporary (see Polo shirts). The main exit stage left is established as a bathroom in the beginning and then used as the main entrance to the apartment and then near the end, actors walk on stage "through a wall" right by the kitchen next to the door (who directed this?) Bad for even "community" theater standards.... Read more Read less