Nomad Motel

See it if You want to see an absorbing show with interesting characters you’ll find yourself caring about even though they are cliched.

Don't see it if You can’t overlook some glaring flaws to see what is basically an interesting well done topical story.

Also This was too long. I couldn’t tell you what to cut but I can tell you that it’s too long. At least 20 minutes. This should be a one act.... Read more Read less

See it if you'd like to spend an evening getting to know several quirky, endearing characters so well that you are rooting for them all.

Don't see it if you want a perfectly constructed play: This one is a little baggy, & 1 character is under-used.

Also Carla Ching has a great gift that should serve her well in the theater. With a very few dramatic strokes she can finely etch quirky characters that an audience almost immediately cares for. In “Nomad Motel” 2 high-school students, male & female, try desperately to keep afloat, come of age, achieve a dream & make up for the mistakes of a loving but deeply inadequate single parent. That the 2 come from wildly different cultures yet find a way to come together makes this play deeply satisfying, despite imperfections. The major ones: the proceedings go on a bit 2 long & 1 character, though as sharply drawn as the 2 students & their parents, does not have enough to do in the plot to make him feel necessary. No matter: I’m hooked by Ching’s offbeat way with offbeat people & how she has sufficient faith in them to let them unfold on their own schedule. I am looking forward to future work.... Read more Read less

See it if Caught the last performance but found it enjoyable, the two leads did a good job, the play is a bit unreal as characters move between motels

Don't see it if The growing relationship between the 2 leads was tender & the resolution satisfactory but it took too long to develop, parents monstrous

See it if you enjoy stories that explore the dynamics between parents and their teenaged children.

Don't see it if you have a hard time buying adult actors as teenagers.

See it if Camaraderie of two (plus 1) teens with parents, but no parental control or influence, embark to the land of displacement and individuation.

Don't see it if Character studies somehow at least still need arcs and they need something at sometime to be said about someone.

Also "First you flail, then you figure it out." Samantha Mathis has a small role.... Read more Read less

See it if are interested in the effects of poor parenting on talented teenagers trying to make something of their lives.

Don't see it if you are expecting any new insights about homelessness, parental neglect, police discrimination, undocumented status and financial hardship.

Also The two lead characters are sympathetic, but their story is cliche-ridden and unsatisfying ..... Read more Read less

See it if Good basic story line that veers off into too many cliched directions. Play feels contrived & simplistic.

Don't see it if Needs better character development, editing, revisions & stronger direction; acting feels forced except for Ian Duff;

See it if Broke, hungry, homeless, and little parental guidance complicate coming of age story. Still pursuing dream is hopeful in the long run.

Don't see it if You hate seeing people that lack job skills, personal capabilities, & financial resources to be adequate parents - living in run-down motels

Also It feels like this play needs another rewrite to shorten and tighten it up, cut an extraneous character, and provide a more orderly conclusion. The empty nest younger generation seems to have more maturity than their inadequate parents.... Read more Read less

See it if you like plays with a lot of character development, exploration of loneliness, teens with negligent parents, citizenship, racism.

Don't see it if you're expecting a fast-paced show or don't like character-driven-plays. Some may find it boring, but it's much better than reviews suggest.

See it if You like attempts at interesting subjects.

Don't see it if You want a well written play.

See it if Appealing teenage characters in a confusing muddle of parental dysfunction. Plot devices of injured bird and sword fight are fun but aimless

Don't see it if Couldn't figure the point of an Asian-American author writing about a Chinese teen left by himself in California by widowed gangster father

See it if you want to take a nap for 2+ hours.This is a waste of time. Atlantic usually does a lot better.The script is over written, bloated. Dull

Don't see it if you want an interesting show.Plot idea is excellent--homeless kids.Execution is tedious.3 male actors are very good.Women are inconsistent.

See it if Lovely set, nice staging. A sugar coated look at homelessness. Episodic. Clear characterizations that mostly feel fresh.

Don't see it if You want a linear narrative. You need your characters to make sense throughout and not just be winning.

Also I really did enjoy this play. I dont think it is brilliant in any way but I very much enjoyed it. It felt fresh and new even though the situations weren't unique. Samantha Mathis as a dowdy, downwardly mobile mother?... Read more Read less

See it if you like experiencing what poverty in our society is like and how it effects the lives and aspirations of a segment of our population.

Don't see it if you dislike the depiction of the failure of the "American Dream" in our society today and the sad struggles that people go through.

See it if You are looking for an antidote to helicopter parenting.

Don't see it if You want characters you can care about or plot you can’t predict.

Also Given the subject matter, the only surprise was how unengaging this was.... Read more Read less

See it if Coming of age indie film vibes (esp. with the lighting) of 2 high school kids without their parents and learning to survive.

Don't see it if Slower, less plot bores you. Characters relied on some racial stereotypes without much transformation, which was a missed opportunity.

Also Diversity: Asian American playwright. I appreciated the Hong Kong undocumented immigrant angle, but nothing really happens with it. Protagonist was the white female, not the Asian kid (awkward nerd) or the Black ex (bad influence) who were too stereotypical.
Ticket through BACK25 online for $27.78.... Read more Read less

See it if for a new writer with insight into being an outsider expressed by a fine cast with clearly defined characters in a complex family story

Don't see it if a poorly crafted through line of action with a really weak ending will annoy you. Needs some serious dramaturgical attention in act 2.

See it if you enjoy off-beat plays involving family relationships; you like the intimacy of a small theater

Don't see it if you expect a crowd pleaser; you prefer musicals to dramas

See it if you're interested in the struggles of people who are trying to better themselves.

Don't see it if if you want a tightly directed play.

Also There were several scenes that were unnecessary, such as the fight scene between the father and son, and took away from the play.... Read more Read less

See it if You like stories about growing up in difficult family situations. The acting is sincere and well done , good sets

Don't see it if You are in the mood for a fast paced lighthearted evening out. It’s a bit slow

See it if you see everything.

Don't see it if you have access to a different air-conditioned space.

Also lovely actors, but this two hour cliche cannot be saved.

See it if Your interested in a new play.

Don't see it if A play that moves at a slow pace and just doesn't deliver.

See it if Love plays about at risk teenagers. Support any of Atlantic's artistic efforts.

Don't see it if Prefer adult crises. Hate inconveniently deep basement theater venues.

Also I felt all the more trapped once it was apparent that three teens carry the play. Nerdy Hong Kong to SoCal genius and hood rat compete for trailer trash Pratt architecture aspirant (fat chance), whose mom is a typical loser over the hill wanna be actress. HK dad a criminal with horrific tat covered torso. Career making role for Larkin, reborn with Anglo name Mason. Griggs is fine as Alix. But their parents, played by Pang and Mathis, are much more interesting. Duff is along for ride as ex bf who never knew he was dumped. Play makes scant sense. Genius should have never been involved with these losers in the first place, per strict parental edict. But then there is no play. Good luck suspending disbelief. Him taking in a sick bird to nurse is the ultimate cliche in a play chock full of them. It becomes quite a labored metaphor. Pretty inventive set. One could do worse than the entirely mediocre NM. It does pass the time. Finale fight farcical!... Read more Read less

See it if your heart goes out to young people in need to a degree you're willing to sit through 2 hours of agonizingly bad dialogue & mediocre acting.

Don't see it if you expect a mature, rich, play with complex characters. Many scenes are laughable, including father-son martial arts battle & finale 'run'

See it if you want to learn more about families living on the edge (mostly homeless) and the impact on older children.

Don't see it if you're expecting 100% believability. An Asian teenager is left completely on his own, under strange circumstances.