Life Among the Aryans

See it if you are a fan of Ishmael Reed's or would like to see a loose, sometimes entertaining argument in favor of working across the races.

Don't see it if you cannot tolerate non-actors on the stage, or loose plots, or a few didactic passages amid the political sketch material.

Also I was glad I saw “Life among the Aryans;” I understand not everyone will be. The brilliant Ishmael Reed hasn’t written a full play but several scenes of political sketch material with a few undigested didactic passages stuffed in. (A long discourse on black & white workers striking together 110 years ago is the most prominent.) The actors are not all professionals & that didn’t bother me. A function of this production is to build a community across racial lines. The piece takes life when most theatrical, as in a few strong scenes in the office of a doctor who can make white people instantly black. The few-second ceremony that accompanies this transformation is funny theater (& the fact “white converts” will be cashing in on a black reparations program is sharp politics). I wish Reed had focused on those strong theatrical strokes & expanded on them. But the piece he did write has human & social insight, & in difficult times I welcome any message of potential racial solidarity.... Read more Read less

See it if You happen to be way East in the East Village with time to kill.

Don't see it if You are looking for a polished production.

See it if you support small, semi-professional theatre companies and writers with good intentions, ideas, and effort albeit poor, amateur execution

Don't see it if you want polished show, memorized/realistic (not wooden) actors, formaltheatre/set/costumes;can’t sit 105 min raunchy, hard seat no interval

See it if You enjoy so-bad-it's-good art. You're a fan of The Room or any of Neil Breen's films.

Don't see it if You can't enjoy a good unintentional cringe-fest.

Also If you'd like to see a truly bizarre so-bad-it's-good play THIS IS THE ONE.

The script is equal parts didactic and non-sensical. It is apparent that many revisions have taken place in a short space of time as the program synopsis doesn't quite match the details of the play.

The actors are a mixed bag. Timothy Mullins and Robert Turner stand out but through broad direction, poor script, and in some cases a lack of ability or even having lines memorized, the rest of the cast can't hold the piece upright.

Life Among the Aryans is first and foremost a political statement. It says as much in the program and throughout the play. So we must look at the piece in that light as well. It adds little to a national discussion, instead resorting to grotesque caricature.

You may think due to these criticisms, that I would not recommend this show. But it is so bizarre that I can't help but feel compelled to urge everyone to see it. Plus it's a wonderful theatre. Go see it. Keep theatre weird.... Read more Read less

See it if You can just enjoy the heart w/which this production is staged. Be forewarned, it's a non pro cast just getting through! Go to support NPC~

Don't see it if U have to let SO much slide to enjoy this! Its uncomfortably amateur at times, but the message is good 1. Play itself needed to go further~

See it if You enjoy amateur acting and directing. You enjoy one-note cliches about various social classes.

Don't see it if you value your time..

See it if You don’t mind bad acting in a good play

Don't see it if You do mind be acting

See it if you want to support local theater even though sitting through this valiant attempt at current events humor fails.

Don't see it if you have other plays to see.

See it if you might like a clever idea satirizing the alt-right

Don't see it if If you expect minimally acceptable acting, such as remembering lines.

Also I hesitated to write such a negative review in consideration of the efforts of those involved, but they had to know that they were not ready to present. Whether the material was worth presenting at all was impossible to tell, but seemed doubtful: very cliched black and white politics with barely a hint of a character or of any serious thought. Just angry mockery very poorly presented.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy intelligent political satire and are willing to overlook the deficiencies of a first production of this thoughtful new play.

Don't see it if you expect a polished production or if you don't relish a satirical view of today's social antagonisms.

See it if You enjoy absurd political satire. The current political climate scared the hell out of you. Support community theater.

Don't see it if Be need a polished tight production. Can’t abide amateur actors (who forget their lines at times)

See it if you wish to support local theater and that's pretty much the only reason to watch this play.

Don't see it if you enjoy thought provoking pieces, good acting or care to enjoy your evening.

See it if You are willing to sit thru some slow bits to get to the very original main story. Some of it is hilarious and dazzling.

Don't see it if You are not patience with a cast that is very uneven - from terrific acting to non actors struggling mightily

See it if you want to see a theatrical exploration of race and politics in America today.

Don't see it if witnessing an actor frequently struggle with his lines would ruin the whole experience for you, or if you want escapist entertainment.

See it if Bold attempt at political relevance.

Don't see it if Acting was at a community theater level, at Best. Many actors did not know their lines.

See it if You want an in-your-face type of political satire.

Don't see it if You don't enjoy social and politcal commentary regarding our nation.

See it if want to support community theater & are want commentary on American politis today that references fake news, and the alt-right movement.

Don't see it if you are not interested the above.

Also The performances were very uneven. I saw it during the first few nights but when a show is only running for 3 weeks, there isn’t much more for error. It was obvious that some actors did not know their lines and this was highlighted by a dialogue driven by monologues. Still a unique concept.... Read more Read less