Freight: The Five Incarnations of Abel Green

See it if You want to see a takented actor take on 5 different roles in an intimate setting theatre. So talented.

Don't see it if You don't like monologues, single actor portraying differnt people, expect to see elaborate sets, don't care for social issues.

See it if you want to experience a masterful 105min 5-monologue piece of non-stop high-energy one-man showmanship. Stunning performance & commitment.

Don't see it if you can't handle the above. He's on-stage for the duration: 5 diff roles, full costume-changes, w/nary a void, pause, or misplaced breath.

Also An excellent night of intelligent theater!

Saw it last night (Saturday)... sadly, it's closing today. Highly recommend it if it comes back (hopefully with the same lead). In such a small (perfect) house, this show's run should have been extended over and over.

Often sublime, the script is engrossing and palpable. There are a bunch of lines you can easily borrow and turn into daily affirmations. Some very strong visual projection and audio effects are used nicely to enhance each of the 5 monologues.

I can't say enough about this shining star. Each character had his own unique life, delivery and cadence. If he wanted to, J Alphonse Nicholson ("Abel") could work as an actor forever. A blessed talent.

You can't help but count the number of monologues as they're ticking away. Not because you want the show to end, but because you want each monologue to last just a little bit longer, to prolong the inevitable 5th and last one. We did NOT want this evening's performance to end.... Read more Read less

See it if Excellent solo performance in five acts representing different periods in history relating to the life of a black man. A must see!

Don't see it if Do not see if you prefer light musicals or simple dramas. Do not see if you do not enjoy solo performances.

See it if Man acts out of ignorance, then sees truth and loses his innocence in each of five eras. Great storytelling, both personal and historical.

Don't see it if You are not interested in different historical settings connected by universal human themes. You don’t like intimate one man shows.

See it if you want to be enraptured by a brilliant actor and a mesmerizing script with Nicholson a knockout in this 1 hander about the black journey

Don't see it if the idea of time travel or reincarnation through various epochs of black history is not your cup. Same characters appear in many guises.

Also This is an a clever and thought provoking production, mesmerizing to watch as Abel Green transmutes from one time period to another and becomes a new character each time while carrying with him people who have populated his world from previous segments. Each segment is brilliant in and of itself, but the concept of stringing lifetimes together and thinking about characters morphing through time adds another dimension entirely. All of this happens through one actor who should be a star - his performance is that good- and a script and production that are ingenious to say the least. See it while you can.... Read more Read less

See it if A MUST SEE ONE MAN PLAY SHARPLY WRITTEN EXQUISITELY ACTED.. DESERVES ATTENTION & ATTENDANCE BY ALL GOOD THEATER AND A RIVETING PERFORMANCE

Don't see it if YOU DON'T LIKE ONE MAN SHOWS... YOU'RE NOT INTERESTED IN INNOVATIVE "OUTSIDE THE BOX PRODUCTIONS."

See it if You want to see an extremely well acted solo show on some of the challenges faced in the African American struggle through five time periods

Don't see it if You don’t like solo shows. The actor here however is outstanding

See it if for its originality of using the same characters for different stories relating to certain time periods and events

Don't see it if you prefer something brash in lieu of even-tempered

See it if You like good acting with interesting things affecting Afro-Americans.

Don't see it if If you don’t want to be moved or think.

See it if 1-hander with a twist -- not 5 different characters, but one character 5 ways: how times and circumstances change the person.

Don't see it if Fine performance, but maybe one character too long. Lacked dramatic conflict.

See it if You want to see theatre at its best - nuanced, absorbing, enthralling, genuine. Took my breath away.

Don't see it if Really don't like solo shows. It's a meditation on American black experience, how we treat each other, and the ebb/flow of our decisions.

Also What a wonderful collaboration between director, writer and actor. Nicholson is EXTRAORDINARY and an actor we should be following. For almost 2 hours he transforms before our eyes into five fully-realized characters. There's no posturing, no big revelations, no moment of winner-take-all catharsis. Just an exploration of a person's journey through life's challenges, with all its accompanying heartbreak, revelation, understanding. Don't miss this one. Deserves attention.

Saw this end of October at the Castillo Theater, 2017. It is early in this run, but was in NYC a few years ago at another theater.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a great performance by an excellent actor on a simple well put together stage.

Don't see it if You don't like a one man show. You don't want to see a great performance. You don't want to be entertained.

See it if you want to experience a masterful execution of a brilliant script.

Don't see it if you are not ready to pay attention; prefer to see a musical or something light

Also The way J Aphonse Nicholson interacted with the audience was powerful and fantastic. The way he transitioned from one character to the next was very creative and lyrical.

The script was very intelligent and I can't imagine a more perfect delivery.

I saw this at the Castillo Theater in Oct 2017.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a masterwork one man show with attendant exceptional writing, acting, directing costume, lighting and stagecraft

Don't see it if You don't like one man shows

See it if You appreciate bravura acting, historical perspectives of contemporary race issues, and strong writing and theatrical conceit.

Don't see it if You can’t tolerate one-man shows.

Also Timely and provocative, plus I can’t imagine you’ll see too many performances to match it.... Read more Read less

See it if Extraordinary vivid portrayals by outstanding actor.

Don't see it if Do not like one man shows or are uncomfortable with depictions of injustice.

See it if you appreciate a powerful one-man performance that takes you through historical periods; if you enjoy up-close dramas.

Don't see it if you're looking for a light evening of theater.

Also This is an amazing performance that shouldn't be missed. You see multiple eras through the eyes of one man.... Read more Read less

See it if U like 1-handers that make U wonder what U would do in the characters shoes. We see 1 black man in 5 situations, 1910-2010 w/humor & pathos.

Don't see it if U don't want societal issues/history on stage. But it's not grim or preachy. There are laughs & hard choices. Scene changes are a bit clunky

Also The actor, J. Alphonse Nicholson, engaged the audience in a way that allowed us to engage with, empathize with, warn or scold Abel Green, the character who takes us through a century, toting the "Freight" of assumptions and expectations that came with each trip. It was a satisfying evening.... Read more Read less

See it if You could review a century of history through a black man's lens. Simple set smart since the play all about time travel. High energy acting.

Don't see it if You mind trekking to 11th Avenue for a one man show. Much easier to justify if not for the inconvenience.

Also One person shows have cluttered the theatrical landscape, rendering audiences indifferent to yet another! Seen one, seen 'em all. Very good show. But it is increasingly hard to compensate for lack of other actors. Skip the closing donation pitch speech by management. Peace out.... Read more Read less

See it if you are moved by personal stories, are interested in the black struggle or you would enjoy 5 superbly acted versions of a character's life.

Don't see it if you do not like one-man shows or would not enjoy 5 different versions told within one play.

See it if ONE PERSON WHO MADE YOU BELIEVE EACH AND EVERY TIME OF HIS LIFE WERE ACTED OUT SO MASTERFULLY.I HOPE PEOPLE COME TO SEE THIS EXCELLENT SHOW.

Don't see it if IF YOU WANT ELABORATE SETS OR A BIG PRODUCTION.IT WAS SIMPLY A GREAT BIT OF ACTING WITHOUT ALL THE FRILLS.

See it if you appreciate insightful, brilliantly created and executed drama re tensions of wealth/security vs. commitment to principles/friendship.

Don't see it if you do not enjoy one-man vignettes in one 100 min. act with minimal but ingenious set from African American perspective but universal theme.

See it if enjoy historical dramas and want to learn more about the African American experience

Don't see it if You can't sit still for over an hour & a half

Also You won't believe you've been sitting there for almost 2 hours when it ends... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a star. This is a fully formed, beautifully prepared piece performed by a consummate performer.

Don't see it if you dont like on man shoes. You are uncomfortable with racial politics.

Also Beautiful movement. Lovely singing. Exuberance. Beautifully modulated speech. Attention to detail. Clothes really make the man. I could see this a half dozen times.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy barebone productions that rely on a strong script and a skillful actor. Nicholson's performance in all 5 sketches was top-notch.

Don't see it if you need more than one actor. These fascinating historical stories, tho, share the thread of the difficulty of being a Black male in America

Also Nicholson was truly impressive. He embodies many roles, sings, moves gracefully, and commands attention for the 1 3/4 hours.... Read more Read less