Beardo

See it if Biographical farce based on Rasputin. Wonderful music and clever verse. Lots of sexual humor. Original and different.

Don't see it if You don't like raunchy silly comedy. You are looking for something more serious or dramatic.

Also Wish I could buy a soundtrack.

See it if for the wonderful innovative score and the hilarious 2nd act. Arrive early to get a seat with a clear view of the stage.

Don't see it if the G train is terra incognito, 3 hours on church pew offends your delicate posterior or historical inconsistencies disturb you.

See it if Has some interesting songs and scenes such as the feast at the large table...

Don't see it if ...but it runs 2 hours 45 minutes and needs deep cuts. Way too long.

See it if want to be on Dave Malloy bandwagon, experience a super talented cast that lands near all possible comedic elements of the tale of Rasputin

Don't see it if drowning, poisoning, shooting, black swans, hemophiliacs, the Russian revolution, assassination, sex, nudity or men in tutus, give you pause

See it if you like good music, good performances, and quirky staging.

Don't see it if you are not able to sit through a long play that needs editing or if one dimensional characters bore you.

See it if you liked Natasha, Pierre, & The Great Comet of 1812, know of Rasputin ('Anastasia' will do), or like Russian history.

Don't see it if You have sensitive tastes, dislike dick jokes and absurdism, or possess an unwillingness to suspend disbelief or break third walls.

Also A strange tale that sounds a LOT like Great Comet, but is less polished, weirder, and dirtier. A strangely accurate portrayal of Rasputin and the Russian court, Beardo is a self-aware, magical, future-seeing character (à la Merlin) who has a demon living in his head and can hypnotize people. Watch as he invades the Imperial Court, twists everyone around his thumb, and then gets murdered. Have fun!... Read more Read less

See it if Dave Malloy. Incredible dedication and talent. Hopefully, only the beginning.

Don't see it if Need to stick to the conventional

See it if like intelligent musicals; it's the story of Rasputin, performed in an old church. It's a better Natasha, Pierre and Great Comet.

Don't see it if aren't interested in Russian history or a weird take on the Rasputin Story

See it if you're a fan of Dave Malloy and enjoy eccentric takes on historical figures.

Don't see it if you have little patience for long and awkward shows that contain moments of greatness in music, performance and staging.

See it if you like Dave Malloy, great singing, wacky takes on history, unusual settings and themes, & don't mind a long, sometimes confusing storyline

Don't see it if you need traditional structure and story, can't sit in a pew for 2.5 hrs (1 interval), or if you expect a factual retelling of history

Also Okay, look, it's too long, they could cut out the entire beginning, it's wacky as hell (it helps if you are a fan of British-pantomime wackiness), it's lewd and sacrilegious, and the book needs some work. Fine. That's why the rating isn't higher. But the singing is fabulous, the lyrics hysterical, the banquet scene delicious, and the murder "ballet", well, to die for. Brian Bock's performance alone (as "Yusapoof") is worth the admission. BTW there are no bad seats, although there may be some neck-ache after, as the actors spend a lot of time in the scaffolding... Read more Read less

See it if SEE THIS SHOW! Absolutely fantastic! The music (of course!) is incredible! The cast is completely amazing! The setting & staging perfection!

Don't see it if You may not enjoy the show because of subject matter: language, sex, violence. It is full of bold choices & lots of risk taking by the cast.

See it if you want to see an immersive musical show inside of a church. It is a site specific piece.

Don't see it if you live far away from this church, it is not worth all the trip.

Also This review is just for the first act. Since you step in the church you feel in a mysterious ambiance. The entrance, the different stages. It is original, creative, strong. Great characters. The problem is that I just landed from Europe and I had the worst jet lag, I was about to faint in the church. I wanted to stay but I was dizzy. Au Revoir.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy the site-specific staging and an absurd yet enjoyable show

Don't see it if you prefer a more logical show with more talents in it.

See it if you enjoy irreverent theatre in non-traditional spaces, murder-ballets and tales of insane monks doing dirty things to increasingly odd folk

Don't see it if you're stuffy and strictly believe in the traditional musical form.

Also A remarkably kickass night!

See it if you like David Malloy music; dramatic rock/folk stuff. You like charismatic actors obviously having a good time.

Don't see it if half the show is dance sex; if you will be bored of dance sex, give this a pass.`

See it if you are looking for an off off Broadway experience where the "art of theater" beats out everything else. This is a fun, crazy ride!

Don't see it if you are looking for more commercial, linear story telling

Also Pipeline is one of those non-profit theater companies that really stands out in a sea of many. They consistently produce "must see" theatrical art and this is no exception. Is it perfect ... no (its about 10-15 minutes too long) but you will have a great night of theater (and it's in Brooklyn!!!) The cast is overall excellent (most are non equity but don't let stop you by any means) and direction is creative. It is performed in a crumbling old cathedral and the atmosphere is perfect. Go see it!... Read more Read less

See it if if you like clever quirky musicals.

Don't see it if it if you do not like raunchy comedy

See it if You like Natasha Pierre & the great comet of 1982. It deals with Russian history in a very similar way ( but it is not as good as " comet ")

Don't see it if If you know totally nothing about Rasputin. You will miss most of the inside jokes and historic references. The music Is maybe too eclectic.

See it if you enjoy the music of Dave Malloy. Very funny moments. Very irreverent take on the tale of Rasputin. Enjoyable!

Don't see it if If you are expecting a story that hangs together and isn't a bit rough shod.

See it if See it for the music; it's beautiful. Cast and direction are also really good.

Don't see it if Story's a mess and hard to follow at times. Also really long; almost 3 hours.

See it if You enjoy historical tales with quirky twists. Some excellent staging, narrative, bizarrely hilarious moments. Great music and atmosphere!

Don't see it if You prefer traditional historical tellings, or are offended by sexually explicit subject matter.

See it if a nontraditional site-specific show that approaches Russian history and religion in an irreverent, anarchic way sounds exciting.

Don't see it if a three hour production all the way out in Greenpoint that is vulgar, sacrilegious, crass, juvenile in humor, and meandering sounds hellish.

Also The show assumes that you’d get bored with Russian history & so it serves you cake in the form of sex & language & vulgarity & modern music so the rough sketch of life during Nicholas II’s reign on the brink of the Russian Revolution becomes palatable. There’s some crowd work, a small orchestra visible in the corner, & the actors passing through the aisle. The props, costumes, & lighting really elevate the show. The actors are talented & have strong voices though the quality of their acting varies. The 3 hours flew by for me.

Jesus Christ Superstar is more sophisticated in reckoning with questions of religion. The score is good but there aren’t a lot of memorable or standalone songs. There’s simulated sexual content & minimal nudity. It should have been better grounded in actual history. Alternately, they could have gone full Rocky Horror. The show shies away from gay content and falls back on lazy jokes about how funny it is to see a man in a dress instead of being truly subversive... Read more Read less

See it if you like to discover new scores and like environmental stagings..

Don't see it if you want a tightly written or brassy musical.

See it if you want a unique theatrical experience. The show, with it's strong cast, is being staged in a rundown church in Brooklyn

Don't see it if you have something better to see. While well intentioned, this show is a mess. The score, the dialogue, the pacing; it just doesn't work

See it if For a weird old time with a game cast, especially the priceless Willy Appelman and Brian Bock, don't mind shenanigans w total lack of plot

Don't see it if Expecting something on par with The Great Comet, looking for insight on Rasputin etc, expect craft in lyrics or book