Alexandria

See it if I can't stop thinking about this compelling story about what could happen in the "religious liberty" culture war of today. Don't miss this!

Don't see it if No, everyone should see this. It should be on Broadway or on Netflix or on primetime TV--it's that good and that important.

See it if you enjoy a thought-provoking and absorbing show that has a twist ending. Highly entertaining!

Don't see it if you fear end times and don't enjoy an exploration of gay and Christian issues.

See it if you like shows that make you think after you leave the theater

Don't see it if you are more than half-intelligent and still believe that Revelations belongs in the Bible. Or you just go to theater to "have fun".

Also I walked out of the theater thinking this was an 87, but the more I had to think about this review I moved my score to 93. It is nice to have to work after you leave the theater.

Gatton's antagonist, "Ray" is an archetype that Gatton manages to successfully humanize. That is normally something I would hate, but Gatton seamlessly pulls it off and makes the play more complicated.

The theme of an attack on "believers" and portrayal of "god" as malevolent will probably offend many. The thought that sympathy without empathy is a worthless expression will probably hit many where they live. Sympathy alone does not make you humane or give you an excuse for your fundamental beliefs

I did not fall in love with any of these characters, but I understood them. That may result in lower appreciation of this fine work by some, but here I didn't need characters that I loved.... Read more Read less

See it if You can take an honest look at humanity, its beauty and it’s flaws. It will make you laugh, cry, fear & hope while exploring friendships

Don't see it if You want to be entertained by a light and breezy feel good play. If you don’t want to think about some of the challenges people face today

Also Or recognize that everyone has different opinions that could strongly affect society as we know it... Read more Read less

See it if Is he a religious nut job or is he the nicest guy ever? Are the ladies crazy or are they completely right? Such a brilliant script!

Don't see it if Extreme ends of the spectrum in terms of religious faith may not be the targeted audience. One actress nearly swears every line by the way.

Also Kept thinking this could turn into a mini TV series and I’d definitely watch it. Oh and the library set was perfect for its size.

The manager introduced the play as the elected winner of an open submisssion from several hundreds of entries, and I can see why.... Read more Read less

See it if you’d like to see a play that’s both a polemic & a thriller that looks at the human consequences of the battle of the Evangelicals vs LGBTQs

Don't see it if you do not care at all about the battle of Evangelicals vs LGBTQs.

Also "Alexandria" is that rarest of theatrical birds: a play that successfully marries polemic & thriller in a beautifully realized drama, not a lecture. The main characters Ray & Pam, who begin as friends & work colleagues & wind up embodying the opposite poles of the play’s argument, are 2 of the most memorably human characters I have seen in any drama all season. Ray makes the most convincing onstage case I have ever heard of the fundamentalist position of loving queer sinners while hating their sins—&, incidentally, working against their inclusion in the community, legally & practically. But playwright Gatton’s plot efficiently exposes Ray’s position as malignantly complicit in the automatic persecution of queer individuals by the mob—without due process ever figuring into the equation. Despite the dystopian territory into which the play finally veers, the skill of playwright, director & players is totally exhilarating.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a well written play, performed by an excellent cast that is very entertaining, relevant, intense and thought provoking.

Don't see it if You don't want to see a great play. You don't want to see a play about unlikely friends in a small town in the deep south.

Also This cast was amazing. The staging was great. This play was so well written and moved along nicely. This play had a twist that I didn't expect. Wow. I will not give it away but if you get a chance to see this play, please do. I associated the name of this play with a program that I watch on television because of how this play developed. I am not sure if that was the writers intent but that is how I perceived it. I was not disappointed with this play. Everyone on stage and behind the scenes did an amazing job on this performance.... Read more Read less

See it if Everyone in the U.S. should see this, the timing could not be better.

Don't see it if If you don't want to think.

Also Patronize - (verb) 1. treat with an apparent kindness that betrays a feeling of superiority.

Based on reviews, everyone has a slightly different interpretation of this play, and especially of the ending. This gets people thinking and discussing and that is what we need right now. I think it's brilliantly timed and written, well acted, very intense and extremely important. I hope it gets a larger audience.

Maybe you'll see a story of friendship and compromise, or a think piece that puts forth the best of each side, or maybe you'll see the "rapture."

I saw a lot of patronizing, a cautionary tale, and the real and inevitable clash we are headed toward. And that makes this a must see. In my case, I look at other parts of the world and see what theocracy has done those to the most vulnerable, and I know where I stand.

But regardless of what you see, or where you stand, it will leave you thinking about what you are willing to do about it and all the people you care about who disagree.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a show that feels like it’s written from tomorrow’s headlines. Darkly topical. Smart. Helps you see both sides fairly.

Don't see it if You don’t like to see outside your rose colored glasses. This feels very scary and very real and very much where we’re heading to me.

See it if you like brilliantly acted, character-driven, and masterfully written shows that are extremely relevant and powerful.

Don't see it if you want something fluffy

Also This play is an exceptional exploration of the "we can have differing political/moral views and still be friends" narrative and really exposes its incoherence and inherent hypocrisy, especially when these "political/moral views" are actually issues of tolerance... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy new works that present touchy topics with thoroughly eloquent and deeply connected performances. Great modern storytelling.

Don't see it if you like your themes and messages spoonfed to you. This show presents a lot of complex, sometimes uncomfortable narratives.

See it if welcome display of differing ideas & conflicts therein, want 2 bathe in the raging currents of possible events, want to be challenged

Don't see it if fear conflict, don't want to hear anyone else's side of things, believe all is well the way it is now, dislike intimate performance spaces

See it if you want serious drama about a contemporary issue.

Don't see it if you want something light.

Also I don't agree with those who found the ending problematic. It was disturbing, but entirely possible and the logical outcome of what came before. The violence of some who call themselves "Christians" can be shocking, but history tells us it is real.... Read more Read less

See it if to see a sharply dramatized polemic on religious tolerance, cogently enacted by a Christian zealot, his lesbian friends & a wayward gay teen

Don't see it if you're obstinate in your own feelings about gay rights (esp gay marriage) & Christian Fundamentalism; you've had enough of dystopian drama.

See it if Pits Christian fundamentalist co-worker and friend with older white woman and her black wife-to-be. An end of times theme as well,Go see it

Don't see it if you can't abide a couple of long monologues and/or hearing a christian-based argument for disallowing same-sex marriage.

See it if You want a well acted,well written play about the religious right.

Don't see it if You don't want to be intellectually stimulated.

See it if you want a fresh look at the times we are in reflected by a fine cast portraying five very different characters in a small town - wonderful!

Don't see it if you have no tolerance for difference of opinion or religion - these characters are struggling with issues, but know you are missing a gem.

See it if You enjoy the debate between one's religious beliefs and one's social beliefs with humorous dialogues when it's really no right or wrong.

Don't see it if You are emotional about gay marriage. Still, you should give it a chance. You may be pleasantly surprised.

See it if Friends with different beliefs from each other. And things changes

Don't see it if About some people believe in religion and societies coldness and meanest to people who don't fix in their world according to their reglion.

See it if Co-joining of people in small southern town who have wildly different world views but are "friends" with excellent presentation of opp POVs

Don't see it if U can't muster sympathy for a conservative Christian or a foul mouthed lesbian activist,or might find play's apocalyptic close too extreme

See it if You’d like a play that will stick with you - characters on extreme opposites interacting in what I see as a terrifying future.

Don't see it if You cannot watch plays with very opposite characters and issues - from gay rights to extremely conservative religiousness.

See it if Intelligent show contrasting differences in views on religion, sexuality, morals among people that consider themselves friends, but are they

Don't see it if you don't want to consider any point of view other than your own. There are a few long monologues & at times is overly talky,

Also The playwright attempts to be even handed in giving each side their say, but you could tell where his sympathies lie.... Read more Read less

See it if if you would like to see an ultra Christian person and his friend/coworker who is a lesbian deal with each others beliefs

Don't see it if if you are not interested in being open minded on religion gay issues

See it if This play is a gut punch. The debates and conversations are interesting enough but do nothing to prepare you for the final act.

Don't see it if The most powerful moments of this story all happen off screen, for better or for worse.

Also The set is gorgeous and serves for one of the most unsettling parts. The ending gives a powerful yet almost easy answer to the complicated questions it asks before. There was no way to address all Alexandria asked in the run time but god, it moved me.... Read more Read less

See it if you like thought provoking, timely theater with well written dialogue and great acting.

Don't see it if you want light entertainment or are looking for an escape from politics.