A White Man's Guide to Rikers Island

See it if you enjoy I-was-there narratives, this one abt life in Rikers decades ago. Strg reminder never to drive drunk. One man play w lots of chars.

Don't see it if you want a searing indictmt of current prison sys. Wh privil angle isn't well-explored. Acting/staging a bit clunky. Humor often falls flat.

See it if If you want to see a true story about a person who was incarcerated in rikers island.

Don't see it if If you are not interested in a show that deals with incarceration. The white privilege comments get old after a while.

See it if Roy's youthful experience in Rikers prison makes for a potent drama & powerful indictment of white privilege Quasi-humor softens didacticism

Don't see it if Drama's power is undercut by Stewart's flat, strident performance as young Rich who's unable to bring the needed emotional depth to the part

See it if u want an engaging glimpse into a remote world (I hope) of life behind bars thru the eyes of a "privileged" white guy who made a fatal error

Don't see it if you expect real profundity on the topics of racial injustice, inherent white privilege, survivalism, or the state of the prison system.

Also This is a very personal story that feels more cathartic for author/actor/former inmate Richard Roy than cautionary or instructive for the audience.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a true story of Rikers Island introduced and closed by the jailed actor, turned writer with a demanding performance by C.C. Stewart

Don't see it if you do not like one-person monologues where the actor plays multiple characters or you cannot imagine the setting from a nearly bare set.

See it if intense monologs on series subjects appeal. Both actors are great communicators with a true story that exemplifies significant issues.

Don't see it if you are looking for a light entertainment. Lots to think about here.

See it if Drunken night and bad choices force an actor to navigate a perch in legal system. Multi-roled peek at life none will otherwise experience.

Don't see it if Playwright assumes birthright streamlines his hierarchal perch. Foolhardy is he to assume the same birthright behind incarceration's walls.

See it if See a little of what can happen inside Rikers.

Don't see it if Rikers is not a fun day out in the sun. Subject major not for everyone.

See it if You’re looking for a small brilliant gem. A great young actor you’ll see more of in the future. This is a stunner.

Don't see it if You’re looking for some light entertainment.

See it if you are interested in racial issues, the justice system and its inequalities and in white privilege.

Don't see it if if you do not like one-man shows, are offended by explicitly violent or sexual stories or are not interested in these topics.

See it if you enjoy insights into worlds that you otherwise are not exposed to - in this case being a privileged white inmate and living with guilt.

Don't see it if you don't like one man shows.

Also While the author focuses on injustices in the penal system I thought the real power of this play is the consequences of foolish actions by those who live a charmed life and don't understand their privilege. This should be required viewing for all privileged teenagers.... Read more Read less

See it if interested in one young man's true story that shows how a flawed criminal justice system & white privilege played out in his case.

Don't see it if you don't care for what is essentially a one person show. The playwright bookends the show which is about his experience as a young man.

Also The young actor, Conner Chase Stewart in a very difficult role, is very fine for the most part, but occasionally is not entirely convincing.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a well written and performed play about someone who experienced the penal system at Rikers Island.

Don't see it if You are not interested in hearing about what goes on at Rikers Island. You don't want to see a well performed piece.

Also I learned a lot about Rikers Island. I already knew it was an overcrowded prison but I did not know how overcrowded it was. I enjoyed this performance that was well written and performed. It was interesting to know that this is a true story. Well done. Very interesting and informative.... Read more Read less

See it if one man's story re his time at Riker's. Very talented actor performed many characters seamlessly. Outdated because laws have changed since

Don't see it if You want a current reflection of Riker's. As of Jan 2020, prisoners will be released without bail pending trial.

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

See it if you like autobiographical stories. The young actor is fervent and emotional. An unusual angle -- as described in the title.

Don't see it if you're put off by stereotypical depictions: Puerto Ricans, transsexuals, privileged white guys ...

Also Maybe because I was sitting in the first row, at times the emotional impact was diminished because the actor was so loud and shrill.... Read more Read less

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

Also Keep your eyes open for future work by young actor Connor Chase Stewart. His performance was genuine, emotional, focused, and almost flawless, reflecting his elite training. I expect his successful continuing acting career and am eager to hear his probably as exemplary singing voice.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to hear a white man's perspective on the criminal justice system.

Don't see it if you want a truly nuanced examination of justice in American society. The show still trades in some pretty problematic stereotypes.

Also This show was incredibly well-meaning, but it uncomfortably straddled the line between acknowledging the author's white privilege and laying the blame on systems and structures of privilege and power, thereby somewhat absolving the author of responsibility. There were some excellent moments. And some interesting ideas. But the overall message felt voyeuristic and exploitative, even though it clearly didn't mean to.... Read more Read less

See it if you like a play that makes you think. Life upturned by a reckless act, a true story of a privileged white man's time in Riker's Island.

Don't see it if You prefer shows that make you smile.

See it if Actor playing the lead is not great but he is very talented at playing various characters.

Don't see it if Playwright wants us to believe that he has an important story to tell re:race but I didn't see that and I found the show rather boring.

Also Roy tries to posit his story as that of a man finding himself in the minority subjected to racism but according to his story - the only problem he had, he brought upon himself and it had nothing to do with race. He no doubt had an easier time in prison than most because he was a big tough guy. He never talks about less fortunate guys getting beaten and abused. His is almost a Hollywood type prison story. And not very funny, although I believe it was supposed to be.... Read more Read less

See it if You want a prison biopic about white privilege. The acting is great and the story is intense. Tells a lot about prison life.

Don't see it if You do not like dark topics or violence

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

Also Well-written/acted show that gives a glimpse of what prison life @ Riker's is like, albeit for a short stint... Read more Read less

See it if you want to get a peek about the experiences of being a prisoner as this is based on a true story

Don't see it if you don't have a particular interest in hearing about what happens inside a prison; prefer show with sophisticated staging, lighting. etc

Also The script itself was not convincing regarding white man's privilege and often seemed insincere and repetitive and lacked depth.

I expected more so overall I was disappointed but gave a rating of 70 because the actor who played the young Rich, Connor Chase Stewart, did a very good job of changing characters as he played the role of several inmates.

I saw this at The Producers' Club in Sep 2019.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a story of a man surviving a short prison sentence through his privilege.

Don't see it if you're upset by depicted violence or sexual situations.

Also The script throws alot of statistics at you about our dysfunctional prison system but then doesn't explore them very deeply. Most of the characters are way too close to being stereotypes.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to be amazed at how the actor "creates" the other characters in the story with brilliant voice changes and body language.

Don't see it if You refuse to believe that any one-man show won't hold your interest and bore you. In this case you would be wrong. It's a winner!