Keen Company revives Steven Dietz's acclaimed 1993 drama, an intimate portrait of two friends at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. More…
Small map store owner Jody becomes increasingly fearful of the world outside and the dangers it poses, refusing to leave his shop. Meanwhile Carl, his spirited friend, begins filling the store with a variety of mysterious chairs. Funny, moving, and deeply human, Steven Dietz’s landmark play examines how we all navigate troubled times.
See it if While of it's time w/o seeming dated, Keen Co revival is heartfelt & poignant Superbly acted and carefully staged, Dietz's elegy shines
Don't see it if Slowly paced for effect, it can seem a bit lethargic Knowlege of the era & devastation enhances effect but not needed Quietly haunting
See it if you're a fan of Arnie Burton or Matt McGrath--as always, they give excellent performances.
Don't see it if you don't want to see a play that may have felt groundbreaking when it was written 20+ years ago but now feels pretty toothless.
See it if you enjoy a great piece of theater. The acting, writing and staging are all excellent. This is a very moving and intelligent play.
Don't see it if you do not like shows about gays and /or the AIDS crisis.
Also Everything about this show is absorbing including the stage change whi... Read more Read less
See it if you want to experience a hidden gem of a play. The two actors give wonderful performances. Jonathan Silverstein directed beautifully.
Don't see it if you don't like nuanced plays. This is a fine, intelligent drama.
Also Let's hope that Steven Dietz's other plays are revived by companies li... Read more Read less
See it if want to see wonderfully subtle, quiet acting. in an intimate theater, simply told. and you want to laugh. Two perfectly matched performances
Don't see it if You have no interest in stories about the early HIV crisis.
Also I really cant say how much I enjoyed this performance. It was funny ye... Read more Read less
See it if you can handle caring, sympathetic AND empathetic (for many) riveting story-telling/acting. Very funny, sometimes intense & very vulnerable.
Don't see it if you're numb. Solid dialogue (w/numerous monologues) that frees sighs of warm introspection. Welcome escape & short respite from the norm.
Also So much loneliness; so much love. DO. NOT. MISS.... Read more Read less
See it if You love Arnie Burton and Matt McGrath - both are terrific. Or if you aren't familiar with them, go and fall in love.
Don't see it if You aren't interested in a play about AIDS, aging, loneliness and friendship. But you would be missing out.
See it if Such an emotionally rich, gripping play! Swept into poignant story of two friends w/ boundless, shared affection, patience, & sublime pathos
Don't see it if you're averse to intimacy of a two-hander, wrenching topic of loss & the grief & fear it engenders, rendered with humor & exquisite pacing.
Also A must-see. From the first notes of the mostly '80s "soundtrack," I wa... Read more Read less
See it if you want to see a moving story that is as much about friendship as it is about losing friends during the early days of AIDS.
Don't see it if you want to see something fast-paced; or prefer plays with more than two actors.
Also I liked the humor and sometimes fast-paced discussion between two frie... Read more Read less
See it if you're a fan of Burton or McGrath, their easeful comic rapport papers over a script burdened with symbol and whimsy
Don't see it if non-realistic elements in a realistic staging bug you; direction sometimes underemphasizes the tenuous arc of the play
Also This revival of a play from 1994--the first wave of theatrical respons... Read more Read less
See it if You want to see a story about a friendship during the aids crisis. You are willing to watch a show paced show.
Don't see it if You want a face passed show. You want humor.
See it if you enjoy small, intimate but well acted plays
Don't see it if you don't like works about the AIDS epidemic
See it if You want to see excellent acting in a very touching, well written play
Don't see it if You want a light, fluffy show
See it if You want to see a compelling play about the early years of the AIDS epidemic.
Don't see it if Prefer more direct writing or don't care to see work about LGBT history.
See it if you want to see two wonderful actors, working together, creating, playing, grieving listening.
Don't see it if you have seen many plays about AIDS and can't bear seeing another sad story.
See it if You want to see 2 amazing actors that are better than the material
Don't see it if You expect something ground breaking
See it if You like relationship stories and don’t require a large cast to enjoy a show. You’re interested in issues that are relevant and fact-based
Don't see it if Discomfort with homosexual characters or the impact of the HIV/AIDS crisis from the standpoint of a group initially affected the most
Also The acting was wonderful. I believed in the friendship of the characte... Read more Read less
See it if You enjoy a small 2 person play that deals with the pain of the AIDS crisis in a unique way.Quirky characters & strong performances by both.
Don't see it if The subject matter might feel dated to you or prefer more realistic/linear storylines.
Also A small play - has impact in a more quiet way. Not a must see but wort... Read more Read less
See it if You can sit through an okay first act to get to an amazing second.
Don't see it if The set up nearly lost me. But when I locked into the characters I didn't want the play to end.
See it if You want to see a couple of excellent actors in a clever touching play
Don't see it if You don't like 2 person shows
See it if You like stories that focus on friendship, you like emotional monologues, want to see a capture of the AIDS crisis
Don't see it if Shows with just 2 actors aren't your thing, if you don't like plays, if actors addressing the audience personally makes you uncomfortable
See it if You want to see thoughtful, well acted theater that gives you something to think about and chew on.
Don't see it if You're looking for something light and fluffy. This one requires some thought and caring.
See it if You have an interest in a smart, well acted, original two man play about the rise of AIDS. It's a unique metaphor for the times
Don't see it if You prefer large scale productions or don't want a sometimes heavy subject matter. You prefer lighthearted. It's funny, but not a comedy.
See it if You are interested in a glimpse into the AIDS crisis, or if you’re a fan of the actors.
Don't see it if You want an emotional experience that connects you to the AIDS crisis, as storyline seems shallow.
Also Actors were great and concept is interesting, but overall it just didn... Read more Read less