The Secret Theatre presents a new take on Shakespeare's tragedy, reset in the world of New York City's wealthy real-estate titans. Starring Tony nominee Austin Pendleton as the title character. More…
Lear, suffering the beginnings of Alzheimer's, must divide his empire among his feuding children while wrestling with his own mortality. Alberto Bonilla, known for his timely twists on classic Shakespearean dramas, directs this contemporary reimagining of one of the Bard's most beloved works.
See it if Pendleton's aura carries an amateurish production. .Every manner of accent and acting choice is on view, milling around the stage.
Don't see it if My friend had trouble hearing Pendleton, but I did not. Elizabeth Davis, fine as Goneril, is pregnant and her fetus has a bio in the program
See it if You like anything Shakespeare. You want to see a great play with great performers. You want to see a modern take on King Lear.
Don't see it if You don't like Shakespeare (who doesn't). You don't like modern versions of Shakespeare. You don't want to see an entertaining play
See it if see great acting by Austin Pendleton in an up-front and close production.
Don't see it if conceptual which may not be for everyone. needed more as it didn't do much with the setting. very slow. (okay, I'm not a fan of Lear)
See it if Very good version of Lear; Pendleton is excellent.
Don't see it if you are not a Shakespeare fan; small theater, long play
See it if you want to eat at the Court Sq diner and see modern costumes and great acting by Pendleton and cast up close and personal.
Don't see it if you can't sit on the most uncomfortable seats of all shows I've scored for 3 hours. It is a good production that should be seen elsewhere.
See it if You absolutely MUST see a production of Lear right this minute and are willing to withstand atrocious performances and an insipid concept.
Don't see it if you enjoy Shakespeare, are familiar with the text of Lear, want to watch well crafted performances
Also There is nothing more abhorrent than sitting down in a theatre to enjo... Read more Read less
See it if For Austin Pendleton & Elizabeth Davis. You like your Lear as a character study/psychological drama.
Don't see it if You like your Lear with a larger scope, more political than personal.
See it if You haven't seen King Lear yet. The acting was good, especially King Lear and his three daughters.
Don't see it if You don't want to see a modern interpretation of this classic play in a cheap and small set. And it's too long.
Also Unlike other plays that you don't know what will happen next, this one... Read more Read less
See it if You are a Shakespeare fan or really want to see some very good acting. Zachary Clarke was a highlight!
Don't see it if You are not a fan of Shakespeare or don't like the classic text of the Bard's done in modern costumes or settings.
Also The concept behind King Lear's downfall (as an alzheimer's patient) wa... Read more Read less
See it if you want to take advantage of seeing the play—in fact, the complete play without cuts.
Don't see it if you’re worried that you won’t find the small theater tucked away in LI City.
Also Fine performances. The music was effectively integrated into the play.... Read more Read less
See it if you want to support this group. This show seems full of good intentions but still struggling for cohesiveness.
Don't see it if you want to see a perfectly produced, perfectly acted King Lear. The company is uneven in skill and understanding.
See it if You like intimate Shakespeare and can forgive some uneven acting.
Don't see it if You're looking for an ensemble based King Lear that explores every facet of the play. Most of the actors were in different worlds.
See it if u want 2 c Legend, Pendelton's Lear supported by an outstanding cast/ r prepared 2 c singing,stage combat & innovative set on a tiny stage
Don't see it if u don't like non-traditional but innovative directing, lots of screaming, excellent acting.
See it if you love Shakespeare, and especially adaptations staging the Bard in more modern periods.
Don't see it if you don't like Shakespeare or can't sit through a long play.
See it if you want to see the great Austin Pendleton in this role! It had some great moments and a fresh take that made me see Lear in a new way.
Don't see it if you don't like Shakespeare, or can't sit through a 3+ hour play (on pretty uncomfortable seats).
Also I appreciated the direction & framing device of this production, explo... Read more Read less
See it if you never saw King Lear before and you think that maybe a modern approach to it will ease you into Shakespeare's theater.
Don't see it if you appreciate a good classic staging or at least all actors being on the same page. Mr. Pendleton's great work is not enough to balance all
Also I felt that some actors were doing Shakespeare in the park, like other... Read more Read less
See it if You like intimate spaces and/or Shakespeare in modern dress. See it if you want to get up close and personal with Austin Pendleton.
Don't see it if You are sensitive to tight, uncomfortable seating. If you dislike poorly executed Shakespeare. You can't tolerate shows over 3 hours long.
Also This is the second Shakespeare I have seen at The Secret Theatre, both... Read more Read less
See it if You're a fan of Shakespeare. This was a good prosuction.
Don't see it if You don't like modern interpretations or can't sit for three hours.
See it if You want to see Austin Pendleton in a show. You're interested in seeing a production of King Lear.
Don't see it if You want to see Shakespeare or Austin Pendleton at his best.
See it if you know someone in the show and want to go support them, or to support the Secret Theatre because it is a cool space.
Don't see it if you know or like King Lear, or are interested in learning more about King Lear or Shakespeare.
Also While commendable that Bonilla wanted to make this a play about Alzhei... Read more Read less
See it if you are interested in watching a delightful few actors do wonders with simplicity and language.
Don't see it if you are unwilling to sit through some less than stellar performances in exchange for a few diamonds in the rough.
See it if You're a Shakespeare (or Austin Pendelton) buff who likes to see new iterations of Shakespeare--the bad and the good.
Don't see it if You do not have patience.
See it if You like a strong cast in a classic
Don't see it if You are a Shakespeare purist who doesn't want a modern spin on Lear
See it if You're a homophobe, I guess? Only then would you find acceptable a fool in a pussy hat playing every gay stereotype imaginable.
Don't see it if I walked out at intermission with at least 5 others. I found no redeeming value.