Assassins (Theater 2020)

See it if you loved the original or some subsequent production, or you love all Sondheim.

Don't see it if you want some insight into political (or any other kind of) violence.

Also This is a creditable production of the Sondheim /Weidman 1990 musical. But in 2018 the play feels like a clever idea that goes nowhere. The numbers are all fine or better, but remain numbers, in want of a galvanizing current that can gather the individual bits into something that gains power & brings us a little insight—even if that insight is simply to acknowledge the ultimate mystery of the psyche of the individual assassin. About halfway through the piece there are moments of effective interplay between the American anarchist Emma Goldman & William McKinley's anarchist assassin. But long scenes between Gerald Ford's 2 would-be killers & 2 monologs for Richard Nixon's would-be airplane assassin go on far too long & reach for laughs they never earn. The culminating scene in effect robs Lee Harvey Oswald of any real agency in JFK’s death & so robs the act of any drama or moral. The cast is winning but it’s working hard to sell material that rarely rises above quirky revue sketch.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a nice local group that dares to try. Clever use of the theater and in BROOKLYN.. How can one miss Sondheim with a (cont)

Don't see it if you expect a spectacle and are easily upset by U.S. disasters

Also (continued from plus )

work that is rarely done.. This troop should do more work, Some fine singing by the entire cast.. We had seen The Roundabout and Encores versions and were happy to see this one too. Josh Powell was a standout (We thought that it was the real Booth)... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see something different and support local theater group.

Don't see it if It about assassins who kill or try to kill pass presidents. Do not like musical.

Also I see this play the first time in 2017, NYC Center. Not knowing what it was about. It was a very enjoyable play. That is why I picked to see this. This was good, a lot of the actors were great. This was not a high end play. One piano only for music. I understand why the guns been used the way they were. They had on the side of the area someone hit something to sound like a gun. For audience was to close. All in all I enjoy this story.... Read more Read less

See it if you're interested in lyrics & a book that are so good they have the depth of plays (while still a musical); you pay attention to headlines.

Don't see it if you can’t get past an impoverished production. Nonexistent props, anticlimactic sound effects, set is a bench, orchestra is a piano.

Also The 2017 Encores! production of Assassins, as glorious (and prescient) as it was, felt like a kneejerk rebuke against Trump's election. Though it’s only a few months later, recent events refocus the musical away from executive leadership and toward the mentality that resorts to (gun) violence. Through the 9 misguided assassins, Sondheim & Weidman suggest such disempowerment and violence are a consequence of a failed American culture that cherishes fame but doesn’t act on its national promises of opportunity, protection, & equal recognition. I didn't realize before how brilliant the writing really is—the incisiveness of the lyrics, cleverness of the concept, how art/theater (via the references of John Wilkes Booth) play a role in shaping the dreams of the nation including the killers. Now is a good time to revisit Assassins.

The show is on a shoestring budget. The consolation prize is that the singing is good. Maltby (Czolgosz) and Farruggia (Zangara) are standouts.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy a musical that features some very strong performances in a small venue.

Don't see it if you want all the splash of Broadway.

See it if You like Sondheim. You want to watch a historical musical that doesn't give you much of the history.

Don't see it if You would have to pay full price.

Also It's a pretty bare bones show, but the singing is very good, and JW Booth, Charles Guiteau and Squeaky Fromme were particularly good.... Read more Read less

See it if You've never seen or aren't familiar with this rarely mounted Sondheim. Bare-boned in all aspects, music & lyrics still cut through.

Don't see it if The subject disturbs. Now as then not a show for everyone, even thought the project was prescient and becomes more relevant as time goes on.

Also Performers and performances are uneven to say the least, but earnest; the production is low budget in the extreme; the venue's not the most conducive as a playing venue; and the piano accompaniment though adequate is hardly enthusiastic or inspired.

Nevertheless, the quality of Sondheim's work and the thrust of the project still comes through, and even if the bite and point are slightly dulled, it's still a good opportunity to revisit this show — especially considering the current political climate.

Hardly a must-see, but some good performances in a difficult piece in a stripped-down production that allows you to see its structure.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy a strong cast with terrific singers. The props leave something to be desired (except an all-too-real rifle) but the vocalists rule

Don't see it if If you are triggered by guns (fake or not). Also if you are looking for a fully staged spectacle. It is spare production, but well worth it.

See it if the current state of American freedom is on your mind: gun control, mental health and the effect of the office of the POTUS concerns you

Don't see it if the current state of American freedom is on your mind: gun control, mental health and the effect of the office of the POTUS disturbs you

See it if Terrific cast,nicely staged.I didn't miss having a set or an orchestra at all. The actors kept it moving right along. Stand out performances

Don't see it if Don't sit dead center. You'll have a gun pointed at your face multiple times. A little disconcerting.

See it if You want to marvel at the depth of talent in this city. Insanely good for such a low cost production.

Don't see it if You want staging.

Also The play puts entertainment above some of the more complicated aspects of these assassinations ( or attempted assassinations) and that bothered me a bit but after all it's a musical & a good one. The songs are great.

The truly amazing thing about this production was how strong the cast was. There were several performers who belong on the big stage - not in a college auditorium.... Read more Read less

See it if you like Sondheim and don't want to miss any opportunity to experience one of his musicals.This show also gets you thinking about our guns.

Don't see it if you are not willing to allow for college-level performances when experiencing Sondheim.

See it if You are a Sondheim fan and/or want to support a community theater with some talented members. Jana Bernard’s performance was great.

Don't see it if You are not comfortable with a play about killings and attempted killings of presidents of the United States.

See it if you want to see an excellent production of a hard show by a small theater. They make use of their space well.

Don't see it if you'll be bothered by guns pointing directly at the audience, lack of props. Usual "this is about killing presidents" apply.

See it if You like good acting and singing in a somewhat quirky play. Standout performance by Dans Bernard as Squeaky but entire cast great

Don't see it if You don’t like off Broadway minimalist production or subject matter

See it if you enjoy Sondheim, and want a great amateur production of his work - wonderfully performed throughout!

Don't see it if you want a Broadway level of production, or if you don't like the subject matter (Assassinations of the POTUS) or dislike Sondheim

Also Went in with very low expectations, and was blown away by the production - for an amateur company, they have conquered a not easy Sondheim musical with real class! The singing is fantastic throughout, and although it is clearly a production on a budget, what they have created is really wonderful.

Very much enjoyed seeing this Sondheim musical in NYC for the first time!... Read more Read less

See it if you are drawn to a talented cast singing Sondheim in a bare-bones musical production about assassinations of American Presidents.

Don't see it if you either don't like Sondheim's music OR the subject matter of assassinating United States Presidents is particularly disturbing to you.

Also I am a history buff so the subject matter of assassinations of United States Presidents was of great interest to me from a content-wise, historical perspective. Having said that, the performance was a little disappointing as it's understandably very ambitious and difficult to cover 9 assassins in any depth during a 90 minute performance. While an attempt is made to portray common personality traits among the characters to hold the play together, the play comes through as a series of loosely connected vignettes across the spectrum of time and is sometimes rather slow-moving.

In any case, the cast is very talented. The singing is great. The acting is very good. The staging is bare-bones but this does not really detract from the performance. Amber Dewey (narrator) was absolutely great. Danny Wilfred (Charles Guiteau) was amazingly energetic and entertaining. If you're really interested in this aspect of history, this is a very educational, informative play from which one can learn a lot... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy a thrillingly sung version of the Stephen Sondheim/John Weidman masterpiece.

Don't see it if you require a full orchestra and elaborate scenery.

See it if you enjoy quirky, well-written and interesting musicals with complex characters and meaningful songs. If you're a Sondheim fan, go see it!

Don't see it if you have a hard time following characters that flip between fiction and historical accuracy, and in and out of their historical timelines.

See it if You enjoy history and it is very accurate

Don't see it if Not for young kids. Too violent

See it if You are a Sondheim fan, like the show or have never seen - or want to support local theater. And if you don’t mind a very spare production

Don't see it if Don’t like the subject matter - those who tried or succeeded in assassinating presidents; expect a full or glossy production with orchestra

Also Although a bare bones production- worth seeing. The show itself has some issues ( some parts are too long - others are not that interesting, it doesn’t tie together as strongly as it should). Some of the acting is a bit weak or over the top and not of a professional level - but there are some standouts - Robert Farruggia, Josh Powell, Elizabeth Kensek, Jana Bernard and most especially Evan Maltby. This young guy was terrific - should be on a broadway stage. A standout. The music is just a piano - but seemed to work OK with a sparse production .... Read more Read less

See it if you want be absorbed by some solid performances, Sondheim music/ lyrics, and an interesting piece on those who assassinated US presidents,

Don't see it if The production was a but uneven. It needs props, some of Byck's scenes are too long, etc. The play may be disturbing to some.

Also Maltby as Czolgosz was a highlight. He has a beautiful voice, and made the character come to life.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to learn in a fun way. You're interested in the minds of killers.

Don't see it if You're looking for story. This plays like a series of vignettes, allowing people who never interacted to do so before you.

See it if You like Sondheim

Don't see it if You're expecting a big splashy musical

See it if You are curious about one of Stephen Sondheim's lesser-known works. You're intrigued by the subject matter of a review of various assassins.

Don't see it if You find actors brandishing guns about the stage distasteful. You don't like his songs. You want to leave the theater humming or whistling.