One More Time with Malice

See it if You like to see work that is in its early stages of development. Some really interesting ideas and moments...some not so much.

Don't see it if You’re not willing to sit through a play that’s a bit too long and a bit heavy handed to get to some really interesting material.

See it if you absolutely need to see every HIV-themed play in existence.

Don't see it if you get annoyed at chatter—because the hero never shuts up.

Also I find excessive chatter hard enough to take when that chatter is empty. When the chatter is outright malignant, I find it impossible to take. I learned that while sitting through "One More Time with Malice," playing now just below Astor Place. The chatterer is the play's hero. For long stretches he seems to talk more than the other 4 characters combined. This just exacerbated my distress. But it was hard to wish that serpent-tongued Freddie would just shut up & give someone else in his family a chance to say something. Dad is abusive, mom is suffering from dementia, one sister is a total pill & the other sister, well, she's just a part-time pill. Which leaves the dreamboat male nurse who seems to be there mostly so we don't all get up & go because we've had enough—too much! —of the thoroughly unpleasant Reggio family. (Did I say nurse? The action takes place in a hospital after mom has swallowed the medicine cabinet, desperate for an early exit. Gee, I wonder why...)... Read more Read less

See it if Like dramas about dysfunctional families and how they cannot cope or deal with uncomfortable situations

Don't see it if You are looking for something light and funny. This is definitely a heartfelt drama

Also I don’t know what is going on with this theater but I really hope someone reads this and does something about it. This is the third show in a row I have seen at this theater and during each of the performances there are loud noises coming from above the ceiling and outside in the hallway. I’m not sure if there are other groups rehearsing in this building but I think it’s ridiculous when a cast works really hard to put a show together and have to deal with distractions like that. While the show is not perfect everything about it is good. I love the overall subject about families not being able to communicate or deal with what is going on with their loved ones.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a story of a dysfunctional family dealing (or NOT dealing) with mental health issues and AIDS in the '90s.

Don't see it if you want a well-shaped story. The timing is awkward, some scenes need to move faster, others not so much.

See it if you'd like to see some good acting; the acting was the best part of the show You want to support a company that produces new works.

Don't see it if you're expecting something new or to be moved emotionally.The play is surprisingly flat. It's all been said before & said so much better.

See it if you have ever been part of a family struggling with members who are physically/ mentally ill. Deals with both hope and despair - how human!

Don't see it if you are uncomfortable seeing sick people in a hospital setting where illness is primary and cures not often easy or available.

See it if you like to see a show that seems like its still being tweaked. good story just not ready yet

Don't see it if you are expecting to see a good production

See it if you want to see a heartfelt play with several good aspects, most notably an outstanding lead performance by Stephen Thompson.

Don't see it if you have no tolerance for an unpolished work. The play is too long. The venue is very, very far from Broadway.

Also This play feels heavily autobiographical. Subsequently, there are a number of poignant, genuine moments. However, it feels too talky. Characters fade into the background for long periods. An extended dream sequence/hallucination does not work at all. Some roles are well drawn, especially Fred and his mother, some roles are two dimensional. With a lot of work, I can imagine this being a successful, satisfying piece. It’s not there yet.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a good old fashioned family drama where redemption isn't necessarily on the table

Don't see it if you're not interested in queer stories or family dramas.

Also I'm surprised people are calling this dated - the homophobia some characters show is still very real. Admittedly, HIV treatments have gotten better, but that's hardly the central point of the play.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a very talented cast with good performances of a heart felt (but slow) family drama & AIDS drama taking place in late 1990s

Don't see it if You want a more polished play with a stronger ending; don’t want to see AIDS related drama combined with family drama. Slow at some points.

Also Acting is strong from all in the cast. Impressed with the caliber of performances. Just wish some of the characters were better flushed out and the script was more polished/edited. The lead character is very unlikeable and annoying with too much to say - although he grows on you. Some portions felt forced and unrealistic which detracted from the overall impact. The ending could be stronger as I left not feeling I had a strong sense of what it all meant. As an AIDS play - from a past time - it needs to be stronger and have a more unique voice.... Read more Read less

See it if you like heavy sad dramas. Its very slow with little activity. Decent story and acting, just didnt go anywhere

Don't see it if need action and happiness.

See it if You appreciate very good performances and direction. The actors made this play work well.

Don't see it if You don’t enjoy a story that has no ending

See it if you are interested in looking back in time to what it was like when HIV, AIDS, homosexuality were prevalent but hushed in everyday society.

Don't see it if you are looking for a current take on this same subject matter.

See it if You enjoy shows that take you back to that time and make you explore what it means to love someone unconditionally.

Don't see it if You don’t like family dramas, are uncomfortable with gay themes, want a high production value.

Also This show was very intriguing, sometimes confusing, but always interesting. At some Rome’s during the show you feel compelled to really wonder what is happening, and you care is pushed away by the intent that “it really doesn’t matter what”...what matters is “why”. The actors are extremely talented, the stage direction is very clever, the long random monologues just seemed to be out of place and not edited very well.... Read more Read less

See it if You have 2 hours to see a well acted play that isn’t great, but is fairly good with the topic @ hand.

Don't see it if You’re expecting a great show that will leave you profoundly moved.

See it if You enjoy shows based on dysfunction families and AIDS Theme.

Don't see it if You get annoyed by dated material.

See it if you want to see a long, sad show.

Don't see it if you are in the mood for something upbeat.

See it if you have 2 very long hours to burn contemplating a rather important topic presented in a most banal manner.

Don't see it if you're a fan of interesting viewpoints or well paced plays that engages the audience.

See it if You care about the history of AIDs and the Reagan years when it was unacceptable to be gay, let alone HIV Positive; you like good acting

Don't see it if You are impatient; want a story to be fast moving, aren't willing to suspend disbelief and let the author carry you; & don't like gutsy work

Also Rarely have I been as surprised as I was by this play. The author and actors accomplish something rare and powerful: they put you in a specific time period and let you feel the gut wrenching reality of that time period. If you were in NYC when people started dying of a "mysterious disease" and no one was talking about it, especially Reagan and his administration and it was still not acceptable in some families for a child to be gay; this play is for you! It caught me by surprise, moving at first slowly and then jumping into an hallucinatory realm and finally grabbing you in the heart with the down to earth reality of the pain. Kudos to the author, kudos to the actors who play it in the moment and kudos to the director who lets it unwind in it's egocentric manner and simply trusts the author. GO - Enjoy it for it's quiet, funny, fascinating, weird and painful moments!... Read more Read less

See it if You want complex, painful theatre with complex, painful characters and relationships

Don't see it if You want a satisfying ending -- the ending was great but very dissatisfying. You care about pacing -- some of the jumps were dizzying.

See it if You like seeing well acted new work with potential.

Don't see it if You want a script that is fully finished and tells a full, genuine story.

Also This was an interesting show because it was very well acted and directed, but it often felt the actors were fighting against a script that wasn't sure what it was.

At it's heart, when the show was at it's best, it's an intense family drama about the lies we tell the ones we love (and ourselves) and the inability to see each other clearly.

However, the script has several other unnecessary layers on it that hide the heart of the show, and make it convoluted, more complicated, and less believable that it could be.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see personal & family issues explored with sensitivity, humor & insisiveness; you want to see a slice of history come to life.

Don't see it if you aren’t interested in family dynamics; you are squeamish about hospitals and issues about health, both physical and mental.

See it if you want to see a great play with family dynamics.

Don't see it if you would rather see a musical.

See it if You like dark humor, and are okay with shows that aren't uplifting and explore depressing topics.

Don't see it if You have a problem with actors in their underwear, or have issue with homophobic characters.

See it if You enjoy dramas about dysfunctional families or plays with humpy male nurses kissing others boys. Nurse Donny is the best thing in the show

Don't see it if You've seen Angeles in America. This seems like a bargain basement rip-off, including some less-than-effective fanatasy sequences.

Also Somewhat enjoyable evening marred by the incomprehensible casting of an absolutely charmless leading man who seems to think a poor Woody Allen impersonation is appropriate for his character.... Read more Read less