Ms. Estrada
About the show
The Flea brings us the Q Brothers' hip-hop remix of Aristophanes’ classic comedy, 'Lysistrata.'
... Read moreThe boys at Acropolis U are too preoccupied with the Greek Games to treat their ladies right. But fierce feminist goddess, Liz Estrada, rallies her besties to take a stand - and campus chaos ensues.
"I can't find anything wrong with this sexual parody...The non-stop energy in this clever one act play has so many prescient pertinent topics parodied all in a most entertaining way...This compact musical condenses such clever topical lyrics, staging, and choreography some is bound to go over your head...Every musical number is a winner. I loved the yoga class with big blue balls especially. The ensemble cast featuring the Bats were riotously outrageous." Full Review
"Often provocative yet always irreverent, 'Ms. Estrada' lends a whole new beat to this story of sexual deprivation as a form of protest...The lyrics are clever and surprisingly dense...The Brothers' most astute satire is saved for our funny relationship with language itself...Director Michelle Tattenbaum matches the Brothers' cheekiness with her animated, high-energy staging...In Aristophanes, the Q Brothers have found a forefather in their zest for language and quest to mock convention." Full Review
As performed by The Bats, 'Ms. Estrada' is a high-spirited, merry and lively tale of the college crowd with all the latest slang to date in gender studies, sports and contemporary life. Both engrossing and exhausting, Michelle Tattenbaum's production for The Flea Theater couldn't be better. The question is whether audience members are liberated enough to go with the flow. A fun evening but not for all." Full Review
"A production that challenges and entertains...The songs in 'Ms Estrada' are clever and catchy. With a flair for rap, the show slowly moves towards more traditionally female musical genres as the story progresses...The storytelling and incorporation of 'Ms. Estrada' exudes a quirkiness...This masterful adaptation of the Greek Classic 'Lysistrata' brings modern life to an ancient play. The in-house ensemble of The Flea Theater, The Bats, shine in this complex and captivating show." Full Review
"The most feminist musical, written by 4 guys, to hit off-off broadway...'Ms.Estrada' shines a light on feminism, and why so many men cannot seem to back the movement...Pennycook is a beacon of energy...Mahoney, Shin, Brown, McCaffery, St. Cyr serve roll on the floor laughs and deep, femme insight as Liz's friends, back-up revolutionaries, and fellow women showing how race, class, and individualism hinder and elevate a movement." Full Review
"Within the 100% rhyming text are some powerful songs...Everything from the women's yearning for justice to the men's partying is precise and keeps the show's action moving...Tattenbaum's direction pushes this large ensemble to stand up for what's right and to never surrender...The relentless and uncompromising hip-hop text and choreography of 'ms. estrada' will no doubt keep audiences engaged. Certainly, it's a show that should appeal to any open-minded theatergoer." Full Review
"An original musical with a positive message delivered by 'woke' females...The Bats energetically embrace 'Ms. Estrada' and its gender politics - politically correct or otherwise. They and the show are ensemble-based, but Malena Pennycook's Liz is a strong presence with an equally strong singing voice. Jenna Krasowski and Ben Schrager also stand out as the adults who don't have all the answers." Full Review
"'Ms. Estrada' works hard to keep a party atmosphere going, but the rap verse script -- loaded with false rhymes -- is relentless, and the level of wit could occasionally rise above the crotch. Nevertheless, there are some solid laughs, and the Bats, the Flea's resident company, are always a pleasure to watch...Cheerful, scattershot, and seemingly engineered to make use of as many of the Bats as possible...It's an acceptable schedule filler, I suppose." Full Review
"This lively production sets its comic sights on too many targets...Positions itself as a knowing response to the current moment with a decidedly millennial spin...Its comic ideas are haphazardly flung about...Fails to focus its satire...The spirited choreography, rhymed dialogue and zippy songs, when paired with a stream of sexual euphemisms and tasteless jokes, sometimes create an unsavory contrast." Full Review
"A rap musical adaptation of 'Lysistrata' penned by four men...The concept is strong...'Lysistrata' is rife with material to mine. With sharp performances against a stunning design, the show has promise. Unfortunately, the problematic execution of the script itself detracts from the talent onstage...It meanders and doesn't seem to know what it ultimately wants to do...Bringing more women into the writing and development process would give this script much-needed nuance and depth." Full Review
See it if Best Lysistrata update. Totally current. Women's Studies students protest Frats' drinking competition. Great acting & direction.
Don't see it if ...you're not a fan of #metoo. Or you're offended by raunchy talk about sex.
See it if You enjoy new takes on old classics. This one is very now. I totally enjoyed it. Dynamic cast.
Don't see it if If you don’t like hip hop and off color shows.
See it if You like out of the box theatre or hip hop. The Q Brothers Collective are geniuses and the cast and staging are superb. Please go see this
Don't see it if You are boring and don't like different things. Just kidding. I guess if you need traditional theatre this is not for you.
See it if a talented cast of comic actors brilliantly tackle the challenge of a 100% rapidfire-rap show. Hilarious and no-holds-barred great FUN
Don't see it if you think you'll be lost in a show that is 100% rapid-fire wordplay. Other than that, this is a "please don't miss this gem" kind of show!
Also The Q Brothers have been buiding rap remixes of classics (like their O... Read more Read less
See it if You like white hip hop
Don't see it if You hate white hip hop
See it if If you enjoy infectious energy and clever rhymes, mixed with a witty rap take on Lysistrata.
Don't see it if A non stop rap score annoys, or you need all your politics to be very serious.
See it if you like hip hop musicals, appreciate the classics, laugh at bawdy humor and enjoy tons of youthful raw energy on display
Don't see it if you dont like hip hop, are offended by stupid sex jokes, hate loud music and prefer subtlety.
See it if you like high-energy, satirical comedy that pushes boundaries, led by a heroic cast
Don't see it if stereotyped characters such as frat bros, ditzes, and academics will grate you--if you seek a night of profound feminism
See it if You want to see a energetic, charismatic cast give it their all. The performances are great. If you can roll your eyes and not get offended.
Don't see it if You are looking for well-written music, or a truly feminist plot line. The men (yep, all men) try to write a feminist play, and fail.
See it if You like fast-paced musicals
Don't see it if You don’t like satirical feminism
See it if you love stereotypes about LGBTQ people and women, you're a TERF or a straight man who thinks they're qualified to write about feminism
Don't see it if you like dramatic consistency, well-thought out female characters, or "politically relevant" theater that is both of those things
See it if You are a college kid.
Don't see it if You are not a college kid. Or if you are easily offended.
See it if you enjoy cookie-cutter college comedies with easily digestible social commentary that manages to both say a lot and nothing at all.
Don't see it if you like hiphop, or dislike male artists masquerading as feminists in an attempt to make themselves and their work #relevant.
Also As always, The Bats themselves are phenomenal and Ms. Estrada contains... Read more Read less
See it if You love raunchy humor, and like to see women overthrow the patriarchy.
Don't see it if You don't like rap or hip-hop, or you mind profanity.
See it if You want to see an entire play performed in rhyme with a musical theater style by some very eager actors
Don't see it if You hope for any amount of profundity
See it if you like super high energy, verbally witty, thought-provoking stuff. A cross between Moliere, South Park, and Public Enemy.
Don't see it if If you find all raunchiness distasteful, if you like things very serious.
See it if The direction, choreo, use of the space and set design were terrific. The through composed rap, clever rhyming schemes and rhythms, amazing
Don't see it if The lead actor played anger and worry too much of the time.....some might find the vulgarity a bit tough to take.... I loved the whole show!
See it if This show is packed with inventive, funny, energetic writing and acting.
Don't see it if You are in the mood for a quiet evening in the theater
See it if You like raunchy feminist humor
Don't see it if You are easily offended by sexual or other strong language
See it if If you like fast paced, cleverly written rap inspired verse with a universal message that women are powerful then ms. estrada is for U
Don't see it if Not necessarily suitable for kids under 13 for language & sexually suggestive content unless you're OK with that.
See it if You enjoy fun.
Don't see it if You’re a weanie about having privledge called out, you don’t like fun, you’re afraid of sex, and you have zero opinions.
See it if You would enjoy a lively, fast-paced show about an important current topic.
Don't see it if If you are sensitive to course language.
See it if you enjoy smart wordplay, energetic ensembles, and plays that get messy with big ideas
Don't see it if you have strict rules about how theater should portray progressive ideas, and you can’t stand a constant bass beat
Cast & Creatives (29)
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