Fool For Love (Beetlebung Road)

See it if you would like to see a strong production of a modern classic American play, a signature play of one of America's great playwrights.

Don't see it if you no longer respond to Shepard's macho myth-making—or you never did.

Also In spring 1983 I saw the original production of “Fool for Love.” Ed Harris & Kathy Baker played the incendiary central couple & playwright Shepard directed. It was electric. The tiny Circle Rep house could barely contain the release of energy. I’ve seen the play many times since—twice this past month. It no longer packs the wallop it had, but the new production at TNC is strong. The rundown motel room of a set is atmospheric. Andrew Dits as Eddie has the requisite “force of nature” feel. But the play has flaws. No production has ever known what to do with The Old Man who wanders in from some imaginary realm, says little that’s interesting yet hogs the spotlight at the climax. The stories the characters tell often go on too long. May, half of the play’s tumultuous couple, disappears for the 1st half of the play’s culminating reveal, not so effective dramatically. The play’s macho posturings have dated. Yet at half a dozen moments, Eddie & May can still set the stage on fire.... Read more Read less

See it if you are a Shepard fan as this is a good production overall: acting is very good, set works well, sound and lights are good & nonstop action

Don't see it if you do not like tense relationships, shouting and brutal interchanges in an off off Broadway budget production.

See it if Presumed lovers quarrel and get physical in familiar Shepard. The acting separates this production from previous stagings. Electric.

Don't see it if Eye-roll plot twist reveal. Low production values. Machismo. Brutality. Gen. Adm.

See it if If you want to see this play the way that Sam wanted it to be done in a small intimate dirty Theatre

Don't see it if You are not a fan of Sam shepherd.

Also In my other reviews you will see that I am not a big fan of this theater. But every once in a while they prove me wrong and this was definitely the case. Sam Shepard is my second favorite playwright and I always try to see his plays when they are done. I’ve seen this play on three different occasions and this is by far the best one and that includes the version I saw on Broadway last year. The acting was very balanced and almost perfect. I was mostly impressed with the direction which included some brilliant blocking. When Martin sits on the front of the bed and Eddie comes over and sits in the middle of the bed it was one of the best visual I have ever seen in a play. Eddie is a giant and Martin is a peanut in his presence. I never thought of how powerful that picture could be. I also love everything about the old man and the way they used him in this production. The ending of the play with the lonely suitcase on stage is chilling in perfect... Read more Read less

See it if you're a fan of Sam Shepard, like dysfunctional family plays, unconventional love stories, very good performances (especially Andrew Dits)

Don't see it if scenes of violence, gunfire, loud arguments & cursing would be disturbing.

Also Play is far from perfect but holds your interest with some surprises along the way. This is typical of much of Shepard's work.... Read more Read less

See it if you know what's coming & can handle the physical abuse, alcoholism, insecurities, incest, extra-marital affairs, creepy dad, mousy guy, etc.

Don't see it if over-the-top shouting, destructive push-&-pull passive-aggressive relationships, plus high-energy chases w/in a small set ain't for you.

Also Saw the film a ton ago.

I knew what I was getting into. Not a fan, & didn't see the 2015 Bdwy production w/Sam Rockwell. Didn't wanna, but I saw THIS one yesterday. Glad I did.

Each performer shines. Andrew Dits ("Eddie") is a stunning giant, slightly mismatched w/small waif-like Sophia Silver ("May"). Then again, she's a spitfire who holds her own, even while HE commands the motel-room, spewing testosterone, spraying every inch of the tiny set w/his misogynist venom.

John Ruby ("Martin") - ah, geez. Poor guy. Has to act (AND SIT!!!) next to Dits. Genius casting. NOT a short guy @ all, not even mousy. But next to Dits, he looked like a member of 'The Lollipop-Guild'.

George Hale ("Old Man") is perfect. A master-class in concentration & commitment: being ON-stage, NOT in a scene, w/o saying a word, while everyone else is doing their thing. Couldn't keep my eyes off of him while trying to concentrate on all the messy pushing & shoving & yelling.

Hale is worth the price of admission.... Read more Read less

See it if You like Sam Shepard’s work, want to see great acting, tension between lovers who are very strong characters.

Don't see it if If you are easily bothered by love triangle, violence, gunshot, machoism, midwest accent and if small theater, are not your thing

Also The cast was amazing, some scenes were visually stunning and the tension between the main characters were very well portrayed... Read more Read less

See it if you're a Sam Shepard fan; you realize an incestuous love bond can be complicated, frustrating -- not to mention illegal; you like the West

Don't see it if excessive machismo, sexism, and violence disturb you; if the drinking of alcohol onstage is a trigger; if dysfunctional affairs upset you

Also Andrew Dits (as Eddie) is a powerhouse in the role! Mesmerizing & absolutely believable performance. Wow!

The cast was fine. John Ruby (as Martin) made good use of his comic timing and physicality.

A costume complaint:
May is supposed to change into a sexy red dress & high heels for her movie date with Martin. That she would wear a tight red dress for another man drives Eddie to a fever pitch of explosive jealousy.

However, in this production at TNC, Wendell C. Carmichael costumes May in a simple, rather shapeless, red eyelet cotton dress -- the type sold in Mexico. Also May emerges from the dressing area barefoot instead of in heels. Big mistake. Scratching my head . . . .

Get there early. Some aisle seats on the left are positioned directly in front of a pole.... Read more Read less

See it if you like a melodrama on destructive relationships that has subject matters that maybe even more taboo now then they were originally.

Don't see it if you want the drama to come more from plot than from character conflicts. Mind portrayals of domestic violence and forbidden relationships.

See it if you want to see actors give strong performances.

Don't see it if you are disappointed when a play ends premature to the plot running to its conclusion.

See it if you like Sam Shepard's style of writing and plays that display raw emotions.

Don't see it if you enjoy a more lighthearted theater experience.

See it if You enjoy serious and well-written Theater. Very good acting. Captures obsession.

Don't see it if You expect a light evening of song and dance.

See it if You enjoy relationship dramas with great writing and surprises

Don't see it if You don’t like violence

See it if You like westerns and/or southern drama. A different but truthful take on dysfunction.

Don't see it if You dont like smaller venues and/or narrations.

See it if you like twisted, hi octane stories of the good, bad and very ugly of love. Great performances; compares well to Bway version 2 yrs ago.

Don't see it if you like your love stories to be uplifting and more conventional; the threat of violence makes you squeamish

See it if Beautifully written and acted. Somewhat disturbing. Definitely depressing. A play about obsessive love and family disfunction.

Don't see it if You don't like depressing love stories. You are squeamish about (mild) domestic violence. You always need to understand what is happening.

See it if You know any of the actors. They do a great job with what they had to work with ..especially the stuntman cowboy !

Don't see it if You are Uncomfortable with sexual tension and an unexpected plot twist

See it if The actors did a solid job with their performance. It needed stronger direction. The depth of the characters wasn't completely there.

Don't see it if If complicated relationships are challenged this is not for you. This was a serious story.

See it if Fine acting, especially between the two leads. As to the writing, I mean, it's Sam Shepard.

Don't see it if The play is intense and there's a plot twist at the end that might bother some.

See it if You are ready for an intense drama about love and family and desire

Don't see it if You need some comic relief. Don’t go if you’ve see other Sam Shepherd plays and haven’t been struck in the heart

See it if You are a Sam Shepard fan.

Don't see it if You are looking for great writing and lucid story line.

See it if You like Sam Shepherd plays. You like a small theatre where you can feel intimacy with the characters.

Don't see it if You like plays in which words, actions & setting all come together to make a satisfying whole. Production did not move as much as expected.

Also I wanted more energy and heat on stage. Play had its raw moments but the facts of their relationship could have been more impactful .Andrew Dits good acting was enjoyable to watch.... Read more Read less

See it if You like good acting - very engaging intense storyline.

Don't see it if If you don't like dramas or complicated storylines

See it if you like western themes and hot cowboys

Don't see it if you get upset about sexual themes

See it if You enjoy Shepard, you want to support a small show, you like theater in an intimate setting.

Don't see it if You're looking for something fast-paced, you don't like depressing shows, you get triggered by violence