A Number / 'Night, Mother

See it if Because it made me think that cloning of humans might be possible in the near future. This can be scary to some people.

Don't see it if Some people might not like these two plays because the subject matter was on the dark side and also disturbing.

See it if you can take a one-two punch of powerful theater. First was a twisted tale involving cloned children, second a piece on a woman's suicide

Don't see it if you are looking for light entertainment. Churchill plays is brilliant on many levels, while Norman's is so real, but maybe a tad too long.

Also Great pairing of plays. Both with interesting parent and child relationships ; A Number involves a father whose wife commited suicide, and his son gets cloned, while in 'Night Mother a mom talks with her unhappy daughter. Same simple set for both stories . The two men in A Number ,very much like an episode from The Twilight Zone with Rod Serling,were very good, and the ladies in Night Mother were both superb. Wish I knew of this Pulitzer Prize-winning play before having to experience it first hand.... Read more Read less

See it if 2 terrific plays that make a good set. A couple of fabulous actors-esp Carla Brandberg. Support this small theater co!

Don't see it if You can't handle a downer evening. One performance not up to the mark. Very small venue. Some sight line problems.

See it if Two shows around 70 minutes each Both plays are dark in their way. Worth Seeing.

Don't see it if Cloning is subject on one play, Second is suicide.

Also The Seeing Place does great shows, with great actors. First show is about father cloning his son. We meet three, one is the son and two clones.
The second show about mother and daughter relationship. Both dark drama and makes you think.... Read more Read less

See it if you love theater up close and personal you enjoy intellectual engagement you are ready to think about serious issues

Don't see it if you want something lighthearted you are threatened by serious topics

See it if you like great writing and a well produced play with great acting.

Don't see it if you don't like play about suicide. Or plays that are set in the eighties.

See it if You want to see some great scenework with interesting choices that spark a lot of conversation after

Don't see it if It’s barebones and the subject matter of neither isn’t pretty. Night Mother isn’t A Dear Evan Hansen take on suicide

Also Brandon Walker in Number worked his butt off upping the stakes while not being given much to work with from his scene partner, which may have been the direction (?) But that’s doubtful.
Night Mother was so engaging, and it left me wondering why Carla Brandberg isn’t in more. Erin Cronican did a great job of not going to the easy places to get a reaction, both actors must have been exhausted afterwards... Read more Read less

See it if These are by two well-known women playwrights. Serious plays, good acting, in a small theatre. Rather suspenseful.

Don't see it if If you're not interested in small cast, serious plays.

Also I was interested to see these plays by two women playwrights whose other work I had admired, and I wasn’t disappointed. Surprisingly well done for such a small theatre; I enjoyed these very much. I saw night Mother by Marsha Norman (Amer. b. 1947) when it was first produced on Broadway in 1983, and this was every bit as good. The small theatre perhaps adds to its claustrophobic atmosphere. I had never seen A Number by Caryl Churchill (Brit. b. 1938), first produced in 2002, in London, England. The main actor here just blew me away. He was so compelling in the three roles he plays, each so different from the other that it was hard to believe it was the same actor.... Read more Read less

See it if intimate plays in intimate space appeal; to support fine actor-director-producers & their mission to deliver meaningful work affordably. Go!

Don't see it if averse to intense two handers that will stay with you long after you leave the theatre; if fraught parent-child dynamics a painful topic.

See it if You are interested in one-acts about family dynamics with great acting in an intimate setting. 'Night Mother is particularly wrenching.

Don't see it if You are triggered by stories of suicide and murder, or cannot tolerate small theatres.

See it if You know this theatre company and enjoy their work, or if you want to see two short pieces done exceedingly well given the limits of space.

Don't see it if You're not up for an evening of intense drama or if the topics are not of interest.

Also I've been aware of The Seeing Place for several years and always try to see whatever they are doing. They NEVER disappoint, contrary to many of their uptown confreres. This is theatre as theatre should be--raw and emotional when it needs to be, and never pandering or patronizing.

This latest offering is quite compelling, and I'm glad I got to see the Churchill piece--this is probably the only time/place it will be done in my lifetime. I have seen the Norman piece when it was on Broadway, and so feel quite qualified to say that despite knowing the ending, it was still thrilling to watch.

If you don't know this group, resolve now to get over to the East Village to see the magic they can create with minimal everything. You won't be disappointed.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see two very interesting plays in their own right performed by some talented performers. One play about life and one about death

Don't see it if You are not comfortable seeing a play about human cloning and one about suicide. You want something light and fluffy.

Also "A Number" was interesting to see one performer performing three roles and you can clearly see him "transform". You can see that he transformed into another role but pay attention to the dialogue which I found quite interesting to see how each "clone" felt about the cloning.
"Night Mother" you saw it coming but I felt so bad for her because she felt that this is what she had to do to get peace. A troubled person feeling that her only out was to commit suicide.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see 2 good, intelligent, short plays in an intimate setting.

Don't see it if You are adverse to family conflicts

See it if Brandon Walker is great in 3 roles. Both shows needed this re-showing. Small intimate space makes one "WITH" the actors.

Don't see it if Both shows are two-handers. Both shows should be checked out re: info or old descriptions before attending.

Also Erin C. and Brandon W. not only act... they also direct, they produce, they do sound and costumes and the set.... Read more Read less

See it if #1: Your secretly cloned kids come back to haunt you. #2: Your kid wants to give you a manicure, then kill herself. Sinister humor.

Don't see it if You don't enjoy dark comedy that is mostly dark but ultimately ridiculous. If you are willing to accept the premise, you will enjoy the ride

See it if you are willing to spend a long, intense evening looking at some of the darkest, most intractable of human problems.

Don't see it if you want something short, funny & light.

Also I’ve followed the work of The Seeing Place Theater closely for 3 years now. It never disappoints. It puts on ambitious productions of contemporary & classical work—often current takes on classical material—so that different offerings in a season complement & amplify each other. Some seasons are political; this season is oh-so-human. Its latest production is an ambitious double-bill of strong, probing work by 2 great contemporary woman playwrights, Caryl Churchill & Marsha Norman. If, like me, you feel Churchill is far too infrequently revived in the US, see Seeing Place’s revival of “A Number.” It is swift, uncomfortably funny & pokes so deeply at the complexities of generation that it hurts. Most US play-goers will be more familiar with Norman’s shockingly inevitable 2-hander between mother & daughter: see this version anyway. Seeing Place finds colorings & inconvenient truths I had never seen. With the sparest of means, this company continues to do everything I go to theater for.... Read more Read less

See it if These two one-acts are worth seeing. The acting is good and the scripts are engaging. Plays about the human condition...Smart and timely...

Don't see it if You are offended by the topic of suicide or cloning...

See it if You enjoy the mother-daughter relationship that so often affects the daughter so negatively. The “A Number” play was a bit confusing.

Don't see it if You want an up night!

See it if You enjoy The Twilight Zone. Both shows (but especially A Number) reminded me of TTZ episodes. A little dark, odd and timely.

Don't see it if You can’t appreciate downtown theatre done in a basement on a shoestring budget. I love it but...this ain’t Phantom!

See it if You like up to the present societal questions addressed. Found A Number addressing an issue we will have to face very soon, likely in court

Don't see it if Both shows can be depressing so if you don't like that in a show stay home. Felt A Number was the better/more realistic of the two.

See it if You enjoy two person dialogue based plays about family pain that debate large philosophical questions. Enjoy strong value (two plays).

Don't see it if You don’t like minimal staging and intense dialogue based plays. get bored easily or want a short night (show runs 165 minutes).

Also Neither play would I score as high as my rating which reflects that I think the plays worked well together and were a great value. One goes about 70 minutes the other 80 and I was engaged throughout. The first play is a bit more high concept involving science fiction elements but reduces down to a question of what is individuality and when and how do you have the right to create a life. I probably enjoyed it slightly more as I thought the casting was stronger. The second play is probably the better play as written as it is an intense dialogue about taking command of ones life by destroying it. I thought all performances were solid but not great, and in the second play the cast was a bit young for the roles. I’d have given recommendations to either play but together it’s a great night at the theater.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see two old one act plays that you’re probably not familiar with

Don't see it if You are not interested in seeing two separate plays that both deal with family issues

Also I scored the first play “a number “A 70 and I gave the second play night, mother and 83. Overall I am scoring this and 83 because the second play is so touching and amazing and needs to be seen by everyone. Both actresses did a fantastic job. Even though it was only a one act there is a tiny bit of fluff that could be cut out. The first play seems to me like it was written really well. I don’t know if this was the writing or the direction but for some reason both of the actors were fumbling over there lines to make it look more realistic and uncomfortable. I truly believe the actors knew their lines but they wanted it to look realistic but I feel went way too far. Both plays are really weird and uncomfortable and I mean that in a good way. This is the first time I have ever seen anything by this theater group and I’m really looking forward to seeing more that they do... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see two really well produced plays by noted playwrights that has something each to say about family & what others mean to us

Don't see it if you are bothered by naturalistic dialogue (in 'A Number'). It may be how people really speak but it's not a good idea in fiction.

See it if You like short plays with a loose connection. A Number is interestingly strange. 'Night Mother is more down-to-earth. Both made me think.

Don't see it if You dislike small theaters. really uncomfortable. Sit up top on high chairs!

See it if You like thought-provoking plays with great acting; Night Mother had both. I would rate this show alone 90%.

Don't see it if You don't like the subject of cloning except in the movies. I found A Number hard to watch and rate it 60%.