Off the Top

See it if Boy rapper marries girl neuroscientist. They perform a weekly act that is half brain science, half comedy. The smart babe is hot stuff.

Don't see it if You want a work of fiction. This is closer to a standup comedy act than a theater piece.

See it if You want science facts in a casual setting. You're a fan of Baba Brinkman & want to see all his shows.

Don't see it if You're expecting a theatrical event: it's an improv-ed science lecture w/out a story structure. You want Baba's rap format: not much here.

Also Don't be fooled: this is a science lecture by Baba's wife. Baba does very little rapping. The opening is engaging, but the rest falls flat. They clearly knew the format wasn't working-class they throw in a comedian for part of the show! There's nothing wrong with a lecture, if you want to attend one. It's an issue I'd you're expecting a theatrical production & a lecture is swapped in.... Read more Read less

See it if you like to learn a few new things, think science is fascinating and the brain more so, you like a casual lounge atmosphere, are a Baba fan.

Don't see it if You don't like rap, think science is boring, don't like seeing a real-life couple perform together. It goes on too long, is uneven, but OK.

Also Saw this 3/15/17 at the Huron Club downstairs at Soho Playhouse. There's nothing revelatory in this show and it felt at times like a recitation of facts and not very good projections and images., That being said, the two combine their talents and smarts to present some very interesting ideas and concepts that will make you appreciate how awesome the brain is, and that's fun.... Read more Read less

See it if you like rap as a means to communicate ideas, audience participation, real life husband & wife performances & want to learn about the brain.

Don't see it if This isn't a play, it's more of a lecture with rap, and it's in a small bar with tables and chairs. Adjust your expectations accordingly.

Also I saw Baba Brinkman's Rap Guide to Climate Chaos in the upstairs theater at this same venue, and really enjoyed it. Off the Top is less structured and far more spontaneous, and the addition of his wife and her expertise amps up the fun factor considerably. They are super cute together.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy watching brain games and like rap improv even when the quality is uneven.

Don't see it if you have already heard enough lectures about how the brain works and find stories about how a couple fell in love boring.

Also Performance I saw was a lot longer than 1 hr 20minutes and became excruciatingly long.... Read more Read less

See it if You want a fun, intimate, brilliant night of theatre with a brain stimulating twist!

Don't see it if If you want to see typical plays or musicals. This is out of the box. Oh go on ...step outside the box....!!!

See it if you are interested in Neuroscience and Rapping. I have seen Baba perform before, and this wasn't as fun of a show as in the past.

Don't see it if you don't want to feel as if you are in a lecture. This was part rap, part lecture part stand up comedy show.

See it if you want a fun show. Hard core neuroscience interposed with wrap music is an unexpected combination. A light, jovial, evening.

Don't see it if like wrap music or learning about the brain.

See it if you like brainiac entertainment. It's a neuroscience variety show. Rap, comedy, science talk rolled into one.

Don't see it if science and nerdy subjects aren't too your liking. It's enjoyable but very intellectual.

See it if You want to see something smart off the beaten path

Don't see it if You want a more traditional production

Also Baba and his wife make a formidable team. The show is well planned, very engaging, but you need to come with your brain ready to work. No sitting back in this one for a silly story, this is real science folks. There's a quiz in the end! ;)... Read more Read less

See it if you like science and/or rap.

Don't see it if you don't like science and/or rap.

See it if You're interested in catching more of a lecture (on the brain) than traditional show. U will learn tho-& come away w/some insightful facts~

Don't see it if You're looking for a play, not a comedy/rap/lecture-or the topic would bore you. Needs to be tightened & directed to get more out of show~

See it if Very educational. The professor is brilliant and gives an informative and fun lecture. The husband just distracts from the show.

Don't see it if You don't like educational lectures. Don't like audience participation

See it if You are interested in neuro-science. This is more informative than pure entertainment.

Don't see it if You want an actual show. This is more like a very good and entertaining lecture.

See it if you want to see an interesting TED RAP talk work in progress with a less than interesting comedian and you've had a few drinks from the bar

Don't see it if you are expecting theater or actors who can use the microphone properly or you have no interest in the effects of rap on the brain.

See it if you're interested in neuroscience explained well and interspersed with comedy and freestyle. I learned a lot. Love between leads is adorable

Don't see it if you don't like: white guy rap, dark basements, self-deprecating humor relying in part on competent woman less competent man tropes.

See it if you like comedies

Don't see it if you don't like comedies

See it if you like science lectures, want to see an "odd couple" in real life, or want to test your multi-tasking in public (1-2 people can do this).

Don't see it if you are looking for a tight show, a plot, or huge scientific insights (there are some, just mostly at the beginning).

Also It's a fun, light-hearted collaboration between the husband-wife pair of Baba Brinkman (rapper) & Dr. Heather Berlin (PhD neuroscientist). I love science & science lectures & all kinds of theater, but this was disjointed & didn't hold together for me.

When I saw Brinkman's 'Rap Guide to Climate Chaos,' I really enjoyed it & learned so much. There was a 1-time guest who was incredibly insightful on the topic at hand & added a lot to the experience. I felt like I could happily see the show again, even with the same guest!

'Off the Top' hasn't reached that level or figured out what it wants to be yet. Would love to see this reworked to flow better, actually incorporate (or drop) the guest comedian, and possibly add more learnings or demos/live tests. Entertain while educating! Or educate while entertaining! As is, I left feeling like this was just a fun thing for Baba & Heather to do together.... Read more Read less

See it if You would like a really interesting science lecture.

Don't see it if You want a plotted play.

See it if You like rap and/or comedy and are interest in the science of how they are created. You like the idea of a science-rap-comedy hybrid "show."

Don't see it if You are expecting a play or theatrical show. This is more of a science-conference seminar with some rap and comedy tossed in.

Also This was a really interesting, fun evening (proximity the a bar definitely helps!), but this is not a theatrical performance or even a concert. Much of it is a fairly high-level science lecture. I still had a good time, but it wasn't what I was expecting.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy a mix of logic and magic

Don't see it if you're looking for a highly polished piece of theater

See it if You like rap and are interested in the brain. Or if you like either one or the other. The show is pretty brilliant.

Don't see it if You're expecting a huge show with great staging. It's just two people in a basement bar. But it's a great show, so don't miss out on it!

See it if you have an amateur interest in either science or rap music and want to be both educated and entertained. It's an inclusive, intimate show.

Don't see it if you like a more polished, professional show, or if you're an easily bored expert in science or rap. Also, audience volunteer quality varies.

See it if you love neuroscience and/or rap music and would be interested in seeing the two combined.

Don't see it if you don't enjoy learning about the brain or listening to freestyle rap.

See it if you are interested in seeing a performance about how the brain works that is part lecture, part rap, and part stand-up comedy.

Don't see it if you are not a fan of rap music and are not interested in neuroscience or learning about the brain.