Adam

See it if You want to hear a heartfelt energetic touching monologue this is show for you.

Don't see it if You don't like one-man shows with minimalist staging, you don't like history

Also This show will emotionally and intellectually engage you

See it if if you want to know more about a controversial historical figure.His life was fascinating and the government's part in his undoing was typic

Don't see it if IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT PEOPLE'S FIGHTS FOR FREEDOM.

Also While many people have differing opinions about Adam,there is one thing that can be said about him unequiovaclly,he was a man who spoke out about the injustices that were prevelant at the time.... Read more Read less

See it if You like one man historical shows. You want to hear more about Adam Powell and his trials and tribulations.

Don't see it if You don't like one man performances. You are not interested in Mr. Powell's life.

Also I learned a lot more about Mr.Powell than I knew before coming to see this show. I know that in the time allotted the writer and the actor were only able to deliver but so much information about Mr. Powell and it seems like it just scratched the surface. Very informative and well delivered. The time flew by.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy historical biographies of important political figures

Don't see it if You are looking for spectacle

See it if mini history lesson about the first African American elected to Congress; Simonson captures the driven, charismatic, confident personality.

Don't see it if you are not interested in the civil rights movement.

See it if You like one-man shows. You like political topics, especially the African-American civil rights movement of the last century.

Don't see it if You don't like one-man shows or African-American experiences. The narrative of Adam is far from comprehensive due to the time limit.

See it if You want to see a well done, biographical show on a man who did a lot for his community, but is probably mostly known for his boulevard.

Don't see it if You don't enjoy one person, historical shows with minimal stagecraft.

See it if You're looking for an inspiring, one-man show about an important figure in US history

Don't see it if You want something silly/fluffy

See it if You like one-man shows, are interested in the great, important life of Clayton-Powell, and enjoy being greeted warmly at the door!

Don't see it if You're looking for a more conventional evening in the theater, with lots of characters, played by lots of actors in lots of scenes.

See it if you want to learn more about a great leader of the people and game changer who had his own human flaws. Very relevant today!

Don't see it if you don't like one man shows. Timothy Simonson has great respect for Adam Clayton Powell and never loses himself in the character.

Also This show needs to be seen especially by those who have no memory of Powell or his time. If you are lucky enough to be there for a talk back, stay for it.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy a biographical play about a very interesting and iconic Man!

Don't see it if You don't enjoy a one-man show or anything to do with Black Culture and Heritage!

See it if you want to support good Black Theater and watch a very talented actor tell an interesting story.

Don't see it if don't like storytelling and monologues.

See it if you're interested in history, you like one man plays. The acting is great in this, while the writing is middling. A shame.

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

See it if If you like one person shows that also teach you a great deal about Somwonw who helped carve out civil rights.

Don't see it if You don't like one person shows or like highly elaborate shows or are not interested in historically based shows.

See it if like one man shows, learning about history

Don't see it if need a real story with action or movement. Information was important but somehow not gripping enough for me

See it if You like one-man shows about political figures

Don't see it if You like "big" productions

See it if I thought the play about Adam & his life was very informative & inspiring. But I found it at times slow and I fell asleep.

Don't see it if Also to be just a hour - play need more action, another player interaction., a little more excitement for amount of my time & ticket.

See it if you have a love for one-man shows. They rely on strong writing and an even stronger performance and Adam delivers. It took me to to church!

Don't see it if you need elaborate sets. The staging is a little clunky, but the performance mitigated it. One-man shows also require your full attention.

Also I had the good fortune to attend the same show as Adam Clayton Powells IV & V. As the elder Powell expressed to the outstanding actor, Timothy Simonson, the "What's in Your Hand" sermon was something else. As my Southern relatives would say, Peter DeAnda "stuck his foot in" that dialogue. I know, I was confused too, but it means it was par excellence.

Mr. Simonson nailed Adam Clayton Powell Jr.'s manner of speech thus bringing this irreverent titan of Civil Rights back to life. I highly recommend this to anyone wanting to see something special this Black History Month or any month for that matter.... Read more Read less

See it if You're interested in politics, civil rights and history. Very powerful and thought provoking.

Don't see it if If you don't like serious one man plays

See it if You'd like to feel some hope for our political present & future by looking at our political past thru a remarkable & inspiring life.

Don't see it if You dislike historical monologues, civil rights issues, history, or doubt that theatre can influence or change lives for the better.

Also The distance between spirit & substance may well be measured by inspiration; so it was with Adam Clayton Powell & so it is with Peter DeAnda's one-person biography of Adam, & this production at the Castillo Theatre.

Although the tech problems will likely iron out quickly, & Timothy Simonson’s voice will no doubt find its more centered strength as he relaxes into the role, the script is unfortunately more lecture than drama; missing is a strong dramatic arc or tension, & more of the elegance of its subject would be welcome.

Still, all of this is quibbling, because the flaws here pale in comparison to the importance & timely contribution of this play—especially in our present here and now—to remind us of the possible; of the fact that giants once roamed our politics, & could again. Larger than life, flawed, to be sure, but passionate, caring & effective, caring for more than their own egos, or at least using those egos to facilitate positive societal change. Adam inspires & unites; go.... Read more Read less

See it if You like one man shows.If you don't know anything about one of the great civil rights figures, you can learn alot about his accomplishments.

Don't see it if You want an elaborate set. It was simple.Just the one actor. It was under two hours, wish it was a little bit longer.

See it if You enjoy portraits of historical figures. You're familiar w/Mr. Powell, Jr. & other names from the '50s & '60s.

Don't see it if You want a traditional biography. You value solid acting skills: the story is told in a 1-tone voice, which makes it hard to follow.

See it if want to learn about Adam Clayton.

Don't see it if you want to see a full show. way to short

See it if If you like plays that feel like you're being read an autobiography. The acting wasn't bad - he just wasn't given anything to work with.

Don't see it if You prefer the story to be shown rather than told. I learned as much reading the blurb about Powell in the program as I did from the show.

See it if you know nothing about the subject -- his is a great story.

Don't see it if you are looking for a well-written play.

Also I noticed that some other reviewers said "great writing." I actually thought the acting was quite good given banal writing that sounded like it came from a textbook. The playwright took a great story and actually REMOVED the drama and joy and pathos. The great writing in this play comes during the sermon. And those were ACP Jr.'s own words! Also, the acoustics were really terrible in the theater, with a loud "vent" noise coming from the back. Mr. Simonson needed a mic. But of course, he also needed a better written play.... Read more Read less