Intelligence

See it if Banner tries to build up a dramatic situation but fails. What should be strong characters are more like Nancy Pelosi puff balls.

Don't see it if If you want a suspenseful play that leaves you on edge. Banners characters are weak.

See it if Psychological mystery. Strange role-playing exercise challenges young diplomats and reveals their mentor's motivation. Offbeat & original.

Don't see it if You have to suspend a lot of disbelief to buy into this. Dramatic risk taking by the characters feels contrived. Creative but not moving.

See it if you’d like to see a smart, quirky take on the current dismantling of diplomacy underway under the current administration.

Don't see it if intense emotions let loose in a tiny space intimidate you.

Also "Intelligence" is a smart, intense, refreshingly quirky take on how the US apparatus for international diplomacy is currently being dismantled. Yet here the political is deeply personal. In a DC basement 3 women, a hotshot diplomat who is a political appointee from beyond the establishment & 2 ambitious younger women from within the corps, meet over the course of about 10 days to draw up protocols for diplomacy in hot spots. The unorthodox means of accomplishing the task involves lots of role-play. This is inherently dramatic: these women are playing all the time! With all this dramatization it is often hard to separate the real from the feigned. Some of this play-within-the-play is dazzling, some feels strained, some falls flat. But the playwright keeps her unwavering focus even as a political tidal wave occurs in the outside world. Consistent surprises keep things thrilling. Even when the characters get emotional, the viewpoint stays analytically chilly. It's a bracing combo.... Read more Read less

See it if A guidebook for conflict de-escalation is written while a diplomat is debriefed after returning from an area rife with violence and perfidy.

Don't see it if You aren’t prepared to see a meta-interpretation of what the stripped-down State Department may become under the current administration.

See it if Story of difficult diplomacy involving women protagonists replete with ambition, role playing & modern realities.

Don't see it if Serious stuff. Drags a bit midway, then picks up pace for satisfying resolution.

See it if you are are looking for a whipsmart play about politics -- and women place in diplomacy.

Don't see it if you aren't prepared to pay attention. It is somewhat dry but always fascinating. The axis of power turns enough to keep things interesting.

See it if you love thrillers and plots featuring cut-throat competition, and/or you're interested in plays about politics, US foreign affairs, or govt

Don't see it if you care about "character likeablility," or you don't like plays having unanswered questions or details, or mental note-taking

See it if you have an interest in U.S. politics, particularly international relations, and want to see good performances.

Don't see it if you want a cohesive story line. Or if you want a satisfying ending. I'm not sure what message the play was trying to convey.