J&K: 1965

See it if you enjoy interacting w/the actors. You're up for an immersive "day in the life" of white middle class drug addicts (true story).

Don't see it if you don't like shows w/no 4th wall. You don't like being outdoors or walking 90-min. You want insights into root causes of drug addiction.

Also If you'd like an immersive (though low budget) experience & a chance to be a (small) part of the show, J&K is great. Just know the audience (as extras) will impact how good it is.

If you want J&K to touch on causes of addiction (poverty, loneliness, disempowerment, discrimination, etc), you will be disappointed. It doesn't cover any of that.

If you're up for a short (albeit sanitized - we're in public) glimpse into middle class drug addicts' lives, this will hopefully give you empathy for these people whom you may not otherwise meet or know are addicts.

The actors were great improvisers who responded in character to whatever people said/did. Kudos esp to "Karen" who handled an upsetting scene w/grace & made sure the audience member in that scene was taken care of.

Btw, J&K is no longer running. I suspect most people weren't as into this as their murder mysteries, but I hope Live In Theater will consider doing more "get to know people" shows like this, I really enjoyed it.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy stories about life and its challenges, musicals for children.

Don't see it if outrageous talk, complicated, consuming to some, get emotional about families, challenging

See it if ..You are curios about immersive and interactive theater with a social agenda, great acting and clever use of location.

Don't see it if ..You don't like walking and occasionally even running.

See it if You like "Immersive Theatre". The acting is great and the story is fun, educational and romantic.

Don't see it if You're not up to wandering around the Lower East Side for an hour and a half.

See it if you're looking for an engaging and unique experience. These actors are so phenomenal and committed. Gets uncomfortable, but never boring.

Don't see it if you don't want to participate in the action or be put in awkward situations where you have to improvise an unsavory scene.

Also I would recommend trying this even if it's out of your comfort zone. I don't think you will be disappointed. You will get dragged into the action and it's very thought-provoking as you become complicit and do not know whether to play along with the controversial role or take a moral high ground.... Read more Read less

See it if You are up for interactive theater about the underbelly, drug addict scene of the 1960's and liked the movie "Panic in Needle Park".

Don't see it if It's not a passive exp--so if you don't want to interact with the actors/other audience members or feel uncomfortable improv-ing when asked

Also I highly recommend googling the photo essay in Life magazine (Feb 1965) that this plot is based upon. Time.com has it in its online archives.
There was supposed to be mobile tech to incorporate the actual photos throughout the play, but it was only for Android devices--95% had Apple devices in our group so it was kind of a tech fail.... Read more Read less

See it if It's a nice day out. The entire show takes place outside and there is quite a bit of walking.

Don't see it if You have social anxiety and are unwilling to participate in the show. Participation is minimal, though, so don't be scared!

See it if You like immersive interactive theater about a serious subject and walking around Lower East Side

Don't see it if You want your theater nice n easy it is a Black Mirror experience nothing new in content. But still powerful

See it if you are intrigued by the idea of immersive interactive participatory theatre, especially if you have never seen a good example of that genre

Don't see it if you want a scripted play or anything traditionally staged, or you would be terrified at being called upon to do improv acting

Also I have always been very skeptical of these audience-participation theatrical events, and had prior to this never seen an intriguing or well-structured one. But this well-designed "journey" absolutely works. The director continuously surprises us and gives us challenging roles to play, and the two actors travel effortlessly between charming and disturbing (which, as you will learn, is precisely what the two fictional characters are: charming good-looking young folks who happen to be junkies). I enjoyed this experience so much, and that result was completely the opposite of what I expected.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy outdoor immersive experiences dealing with themes that are as relevant today as they were in the 60's.

Don't see it if Uncomfortable being part of the lives of addicts, or if you expect to sit, relax and watch a story unfold.

See it if you like immersive theater, non-conventional plays, and interacting with characters.

Don't see it if you want to sit in comfy chairs and watch a play unfold without participating in it.

Also The play is performed in outdoor public parks. As such, I'm not sure what happens when it rains... though they must have something figured out.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy immersive shows in non-traditional spaces. You like being outdoors. You like shows based on real people.

Don't see it if You don't want to participate: no hiding in the back row here. You have trouble walking. You're uncomfortable w/addiction themes.

Also This was a very positive experience! The actors were very good, though since they're playing addicts, it did get uncomfortable. I thought it could've been a little shorter, but overall I enjoyed it.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy new,different, interactive shows that take place out in the streets of new York city.

Don't see it if You want to sit in a theater and don't enjoy immersive shows with audience participation

See it if You want a unique experience. Kinda like Sleep No More but with more heroin.

Don't see it if Audience interaction stresses you out.

See it if you want to try a novel, interactive, unpredictable, fun yet relevant street theater experience that'll keep you guessing from start to end

Don't see it if you are too timid or a killjoy to participate in such interactive show as there will be a lot of impromptu reactions & some acting required.

Also This is one unique NYC (live in) theater/ experience one must try at least once. It can be "weird" at first with its unconventional setting/set up but it will be like an Alice adventure making you curiouser & curiouser, as you get up close & personal w/ the characters and become part of the show / cast.
The more involved each one gets into each scene, the more each & everyone get out of the various experiences. The more you get invested mentally & emotionally, the more you will "enjoy" and learn from each scene, & consequently affecting the characters & "the ending" scene.
Without giving any spoilers, the two actors were very effective that passersby sometimes thought the scenes were for real and would almost get involved (which was "+" indication of still good samaritans around NY, lol) Kudos to the very charismatic actors & show creator!... Read more Read less

See it if You like interactive plays, spontaneity, improvisation, walking around, drugs&cursing doesn't bother you, being involved in the plot

Don't see it if You want to sit, you're boring, get tired easy, walking in the LES&alleys scare you, don't want to participate or be involved in a scene,

Also I think this play was fun & great, but meeting up with the group was confusing and disorganized. I was asked to be there 30 mins before and nobody showed till 10mins before. There were no indication or people to let you know you were in the right spot. I think if they would have some kind of signage it would have helped.

This play was very engaging and entertaining, but definitely not for everyone. You have to partake some what to truly enjoy it.... Read more Read less

See it if You like to experience theatre in non-traditional forms, you like immersive experiences that give you a chance to be part of the action

Don't see it if You don't want to do some walking around the LES, you're super boring and don't want to become a part of the experience

See it if You enjoy immersive theatre where you yourself get to become apart of the storytelling.

Don't see it if Heroin or domestic abuse is an emotional trigger, if you don't like interacting with the actors, or if you don't like walking around much.

Also It's an incredible show, I've never seen anything like it. It's so compelling and you forget you're actually watching a show because you feel like you're in it. The actors are so great and the story is strong. The outcome changes based on audience participation, so you're really seeing a show that no one else will ever see. Incredible experience, could not recommend it enough!... Read more Read less

See it if You really want to immerse yourself into the characters, stories and streets of the show.

Don't see it if You're not comfortable with improv or being called upon, direct interaction with characters or can't walk a lot.

See it if You like immersive theater and role playing

Don't see it if You want to see a more traditional type of show

See it if You're open to interacting extensively with an excellent two-person cast and to dark storylines, including drug abuse and prostitution.

Don't see it if You don't like to interact, are not comfortable with dark material or want a traditional experience instead of immersive.

Also The actors are fantastic and flip between friendly and charismatic to dark and desperate. They do their best to label and incorporate the audience as their supporting cast but you have to be willing to play along and commit to an improv drama. The more you're able to do that, the better the experience will be.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to experience an immersive outdoor theater experience; You are interested in learning about people who struggle with addiction

Don't see it if You are uncomfortable being a part of the action, especially in public.

See it if You like immersive/participatory theater; the quality of the acting (by the actual cast members) matters more than the clarity of the story.

Don't see it if You're averse to audience participation or doing a lot of walking; you're looking for a play with a clear plot or an actual designed set.

Also Live in Theater should be commended for trying to do something original in this production (as opposed to just putting on another "murder mystery party"), and the two actors are up to the task, though their story--in which we become collaborators--seemed to lack focus (even if it accurately reflects the situation of the junkies they were modeled after), and the audience participation segments varied in quality, reflecting, as you would expect, audience members' own varied abilities. Still, not a bad way to spend 90 minutes walking around the LES, as long as you keep your expectations in check.... Read more Read less

See it if You like "out of the box theater"

Don't see it if you want a traditional theater outing, are shy

Also This show takes place on the streets of NYC. Everyone in the show is involved in the play in some way. The actors are amazing performers and improvisers and engage you in amazing ways. would highly recommend this unique experience... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy interactive theater

Don't see it if You prefer to simply sit in an audience