Arthur and Esther

See it if You want to see a beautifully written, life-affirming, meditation on life & love. You want a concise, perfectly edited play.

Don't see it if You're uncomfortable with talk about suicide. You don't like monologue format. You want characters to talk to each other.

Also The only "ding" in the production is the actors' voices: she's raspy, he has a lisp. It's a little distracting in the beginning, though as I paid more attention to the words, they became more bearable.... Read more Read less

See it if You believe in after-life. You like stories about marital strife. This is a two character play with both on stage at once. Sometimes weird.

Don't see it if You get upset about death and suicide Cheating husbands and wives are against your value system.

Also If not in front row, I would have left early.

See it if You are interested in a well-acted, thoughtful show about life and suicide. Steven Rattazzi is particularly good.

Don't see it if You are bothered by references to suicide, or you don't like minimally-staged, somewhat static shows.

See it if you appreciate theatrical focus on characters' introspection, conflicts, development, relationships and resolution with minimal set/movement

Don't see it if you prefer musicals, dance or frequent large movement, elaborate sets or large casts, or are tired or extraordinarily upset by suicide

See it if You want to catch excellent performances by the two actors. A thought provoking drama -1 is about to commit suicide, the other already has.

Don't see it if U need action-not much actually occurs and the actors never interact. Its a bit of a downer, saved by a somewhat uplifting end. V well acted

See it if You're interested in a short play about two depressed and overlapping characters' life stories.

Don't see it if You want a longer, funnier and better developed show. The actors do their best with inconsistent writing

See it if you are looking for something different and edgy. The story unfolds expertly - I never had any idea where this play was going. A great ride.

Don't see it if you are upset by talk of suicide. Or if you want dialogue. This is a series of interwoven monologues.

See it if If you like shows that unfold in a nonlinear way with good acting and emotional characters

Don't see it if If you want to a story that answers all the information it puts out or is light weight.

See it if you like thoughtful, contemplative monologues that take their time. The show barely lasts an hour, but is still leisurely paced.

Don't see it if it's frustrating to have two characters who never actually interact. Each never leaves their marked-off box on the stage. Not very dynamic.

See it if you like solid acting, some funny content, and minimal staging.

Don't see it if you have trouble watching monologues, you like big productions.

Also There are some interesting themes in this play (forgiveness, taking the time to appreciate what you have, the effect of bad choices on us and others), but none of these is ultimately dealt with in any depth or with real insight.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy witty dialogue and dark humor

Don't see it if The idea of suicide and death upsets you

See it if you would enjoy an intense look at the inner turmoil of two characters.

Don't see it if you don't have a dark sense of humor.

See it if You like shows about what happens when you pass away and relationships

Don't see it if You like large cast shows

See it if you like simple, engaging stories

Don't see it if you like lots of movement - this is just 2 actors talking to the audience

See it if you like one act plays, stripped down setting and costume, monologues, experimental theater, seeing something that needs development.

Don't see it if you want something fully thought out, thought-provoking, realistic (or original) portrayal of suicide and despair.

See it if you enjoy plays where two people at different stages in life tell stories that relate and intersect

Don't see it if you want a play that digs deeply into suicide

See it if You like small-scale productions about the human condition, loss, and pain

Don't see it if You want to see something peppy, or enjoy bigger productions that are less introspective

See it if you like intimate plays that focus on storytelling.

Don't see it if you like a lot of action.

See it if you enjoy parallel monologues, and a clever, but a very slow moving play

Don't see it if you expect excitement, and a quick moving story

See it if you enjoy dark comedies or relationship dramas.

Don't see it if you're sensitive to the topic of suicide or dislike when the actors directly address the audience.

See it if You enjoy difficult material told with humor and sympathy. Good acting, great writing. Recommended.

Don't see it if You like very linear, straightforward story telling. ...you prefer interacting rather than two stories told at once.

See it if You like a great one person show. This is like two one person shows in one. You like drama and shows where the actors talk directly to you.

Don't see it if You want many performers to keep your attention. You want a musical. You get uncomfortable when the performers look at you and talk to you.

See it if Clever, unusual show

Don't see it if you want a large cast; you don't want a short show (it is just over an hour)