A White Man's Guide to Rikers Island NYC Reviews and Tickets

80%

(89 Ratings)

Positive

88%

Mixed

12%

Negative

Members say

Great acting, Thought-provoking, Absorbing, Relevant, Intense

About the Show

Based on a true story. An account of a privileged white man's time at Rikers Island.

After a bad decision and a tragic twist of fate, a white man from an affluent, New Jersey town ends up in Rikers Island. Completely out of his element, he struggles to navigate his way through the penal system in the company of his cellmates, a religious fanatic, a hardened drug dealer, and a transgender junkie. In addition to the jail politics, he must reconcile the need to fight for his survival with the guilt that consumes his every waking hour.

Show-Score Member Reviews (89)

Thought-provoking, Clever, Great acting, Great writing

See it if you appreciate a good one man show, like good story telling, enjoy a good socio/polical play, enjoy light hearted dramadies.

Don't see it if You don't like shows about prison, socio/political shows, one man shows, off-broadway shows, basic technical production. Read more

Resonant, Riveting, Funny, Great writing, Great acting

See it if you enjoy dramatic tension, suspense, intensity, realism, and ironic humor re serious social, political, and cultural issues in one act

Don't see it if you or someone you care about are black, Hispanic, or LGBTQplus, spent time incarcerated, and sensitive to negative stereotypes re same Read more

Intense, Great writing, Edgy, Great acting, Absorbing

See it if you love great acting with one man portraying many characters, you are interested in the American penal system, you are interested in racism

Don't see it if you want something light hearted or musical. you are offended by vulgarity and violence Read more

Must see, Intelligent, Great writing, Great acting, Absorbing

See it if You want an enlightening, absorbing and moving evening of theater. Superb.

Don't see it if You might be shocked by the realities of life in jail. Actually being shocked would enhance your enjoyment of the play.

Thought-provoking, Riveting, Relevant, Great writing, Great acting

See it if you want a quick tutorial on life within Rikers Island prison as seen by a white boy of privilege. Keep an eye out for Conner Stewart-GREAT

Don't see it if you can't climb many old stairs; and want a pristine venue. Some found the characters stereotypical; I didn't. I found the story compelling

Relevant, Intelligent, Great writing, Great acting, Absorbing

See it if You like great story telling by an exceptional actor and kept my interest all the way.

Don't see it if If prefer plays that are happy. This is an intense piece of work

Great acting, Entertaining, Absorbing

See it if If you really want to know about the difference in Black America and White America in the penal system.This 21 yr.old did an absolutely fant

Don't see it if If you want to see an elaborate stage or setting.If you don't want to hear about the disparity of how people of color are treated different. Read more

Intense, Edgy, Great writing, Great acting, Absorbing

See it if you want an idea of what life is like inside a prison, namely Rikers Island in NY. Enjoy mainly a solo performance

Don't see it if you're offended by violence and vulgarity. want a musical or other lighter themed show Read more

Critic Reviews (7)

For a previous production

“Racial injustice is explored in the confessional A ‘WHITE MAN'S GUIDE TO RIKER'S ISLAND’ at The Producer's Club”
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For a previous production

"'White Man's Guide to Rikers Island' transports the audience from the privilege and prominence of a New Jersey golf club to the cacophony and brutality of New York's Rikers Island prison."
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For a previous production

"The vividly written text offers a starkly revealing view of realities from which most of us are protected…I'm betting that you'll hang on every word. You'll also be left with some ugly truths that are impossible to dismiss."
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For a previous production

"Connor Chase Stewart is enthralling as a young man serving a prison sentence for a drunk driving killing in this searing and dynamically presented drama. The script is a canny blend of finely sculpted autobiography and documentary facts cohesively shaped into a compelling narrative."
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For a previous production

"'[In] A White Man's Guide to Riker's Island,' which in name alone already sends a jolt of electric fear through most of us, we meet young Rich, impeccably played by Connor Chase Stewart, a curly-haired, bright-eyed, earnest young man with an amazingly promising future ahead of him."
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For a previous production

"Playwrights Roy and Webb never lose site of the significance of the young Richard's crime. The ‘Guide’ is not about claiming innocence. It is about Richard's sense of entitlement. His constant refrains, his mantas are: ‘I don't belong here.’ ‘I'm not like these guys.’ I’m better than this.’...Remorse and rehabilitation get lost on mere regret and denial."
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For a previous production

"Stewart navigates the various emotions skillfully: apprehension, worry, crushing disappointment, considerable arrogance, and an ultimate ruefulness. It's a classic fish-out-of-water story. Initially, it's hard to feel sympathy for a brash and privileged white brat, but the fresh-faced Stewart holds one's interest."
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Trailer

Creative team