Really Really Gorgeous

See it if you enjoy dystopian political fantasy with absurdist leanings.

Don't see it if emotional realism is something you value in drama. I found the relationships only word deep without supporting actions.

See it if you want to see a play with great promise that actively deconstructs American Myths.

Don't see it if you will be overly disappointed by a play that supplies new American Myths worse than the old.

Also Author Nick Mecikalski starts off with a bang - an America destroyed by a giant flood (forget he silliness of the only area to survive being Cleveland) with the surviving population living in shacks and all supplies being delivered by relief vehicles. He focuses on a lesbian couple who perceive themselves to be talented poets while subtly letting us know the severe limits of their talent. They quickly become caught up in a plot to destroy the country and each other.

So far so good, but Mecikalski quickly constructs a women ruled country driven by media created popularity and leaders with limited talent concerned only with short term gain, even at the inevitable expense of their own lives - quite misogynistic.

There were so many opportunities for something so much better.... Read more Read less

See it if You're up for a terrific cast in a serious farce about power and survival. And love, in a world where what's gorgeous is anyplace that's dry

Don't see it if You dislike farce or SciFi; don't think the climate's changing or the president lies constantly; you believe everything you hear on TV.

Also There’s no happy ending in this future US where the water is winning and will in the end submerge all, but this terrific cast makes plausible Mecikalski‘s dystopian but very funny script.

The writing is clever, quick and layered starting with the names: Pen, idealistic and mightier than the sword—or secret service; Mar, the sea; or to spoil—with guile, forethought and deceit going past her status quo, to attain the spoils of political war. Miranda Haymon's direction of the tight ensemble is smooth and sure, the cast likable and convincing: Sophie Becker all earnest and present, Amber Jaunai sublimely subtle, Giselle LeBeau Gant a great voice and presence. Lights and sound as well contribute much to create a plausible offstage world.

The play brings up bigger questions though, past Pen and Mar's futures—namely What’s the function, fate and future of theatre or poetry in a despoiled world? Will the music of Shakespeare and Mozart be as clear in a submerged world? and who'll have time?... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy quirky non-linear silliness with elusive meaning.

Don't see it if you prefer serious story telling with clear morals.

Also The actors, particularly, the announcer, were quite good, but the murky meaning eluded me.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy dystopian allegories for the dystopia we currently inhabit, that touch on multiple themes and maintain a sense of humor.

Don't see it if You struggle with metaphor or aren't in the mood to tolerate a play that is sometimes slow.

Also Worth seeing just for the actress who plays "the announcer" alone. Could still use some editing for the sake of pacing, but still a fun and enjoyable piece.... Read more Read less

See it if you're drawn to imaginative after-catastophe narratives. You want to support new work in a theater that consistently encourages it.

Don't see it if repetition drives you out of your gourd and/or your imagination only functions with an assist from Hollywood level sets and special effects.

See it if In-depth themes of current day reality set to dystopian extremes. See what the future could be...if we let it.

Don't see it if You are looking to sit back, relax, and not think.

See it if you like to see all the many plays about dystopian futures that have been circulating in recent years.

Don't see it if you’re looking for a sharp satire; here the targets are so easy, & so annoying, that often the natural response is to turn off the TV.

Also I really like experimental scripts, & I guess this qualifies. But the political & media targets of the satire, “Really Really Gorgeous,” yet another play that deals with our dystopian future in the wake of climate collapse, seem so easy, & the means of carrying out that satire so screechingly annoying, that I spent most of my time wishing this overly long sketch comedy would just hurry up & end. I have to say, however, that even after an hour-&-40-minutes of mild discomfort, I loved the ending. I only wish that what preceded it had been nearly as sharp & surprising.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy an exploration of important issues in new work by playwrights with a message. Many important points are made that reflect our time

Don't see it if you want a polished production - it moves a bit slow and needs some rewriting on the important points with less cheapening of the messages.

See it if After The Flood, waters and resentment rise when half of a lesbian couple is named president."It's me against The Water." Onstage announcer.

Don't see it if Femme competition trivialises empowerment/topical message.Wall motif fatigue."Careful,we don't know what's out there/Got my lungs dried out"

Also "Water is on our property,we own it/My room is dry so I slept on the floor,just to do it"... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a great idea from a playwright about the future of the world

Don't see it if You are expecting this to be polished and ready. Definitely needs a bit of a rewrite. Should be much shorter

Also I really like the idea of this play and I think it would fit perfect as a one act that’s part of a short play series.
I was getting into it and then it just kept going and going and going.
I don’t think the producers are doing a really good job of explaining what this play is about. I think if they did it might interest more people.
Without giving anything away it’s a basic story of a couple where both people are competing for something, one of them gets it and promises they will bring the other along for the ride. Then we see how greed takes over.
The three actors did a very good and believable job.... Read more Read less

See it if if you appreciate inde experimental small all-female cast drama in off Broadway theatre about disturbing current threats to USA society

Don't see it if you are irritated by lesbian relationship, reminder threat global warming/flooding, effect existential threat on power mongering/fear others

Also The actor of Opra Winfrey-style announcer/controller is consistently excellent. The other actors are believable but not as strong.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a very clever and well-acted play. Very interesting premise and provides some very timely critique on present day government

Don't see it if you don't enjoy political satire.

Also I thoroughly enjoyed this small production. If you want to laugh and yet view a display of power and control, this is a good one.... Read more Read less

See it if you like shows that make you think "what in the world was that all about"

Don't see it if you want to see a show that makes some sense

See it if Little masterpiece performed for 90 minutes by 3 actresses with a big future. The ending is very predictable but show is still delightful

Don't see it if Building the wall to protect the capital from intruders;good people are not that good,person with no knowledge elected President of the US..

See it if A futuristic story of what happens when climate change becomes personal. I found myself engaged at first and as the play went on started

Don't see it if Losing interest. The three actors were good but the storyline became a little too over-the-top for me. This is certainly not for everyone

See it if into a play about human dynamics in appocaliptic times

Don't see it if expecting your theater to have a point

Also It was painful to watch these talented people lost in inanity. The director's previous NYTW piece wonderfully melded fantasy with reality -- how can this one be so disconnected?

Despite the gravity of their situation, the characters behave with the intensity of hearing about floods in remote Africa; and on they go, fighting disaster with poetry, missing what the reality is going to be like. Climate Change is served here as a superficial plot tool, which makes this the OPPOSITE of relevant; this is clueless gaslighting by people who should know better.

And worse - this does not really have a point. Not about the horrible future and not about the dynamics between the friends. I kept on thinking that in the end, we will find that this was just a dream; that would have explained the disconnect from life as I know it.

The writer knows how to write dialogue and the actors are talented if faltering at times due to the wobbly premise. What is missing from this endeavor is good judgment.... Read more Read less

See it if You simply enjoy new plays whether they are good or bad— and wish to support writers and actors.

Don't see it if You expect a tight and polished production that makes a clear point.

See it if you want to see a relationship drama disguised as science fiction

Don't see it if you want to see an actual science fiction drama

Also To be fair, REALLY REALLY GORGEOUS has a lot of potential - I was just deeply irked by being told this was a dystopian, climate-change focused drama that was really....a relationship drama about what happens when your S.O. becomes the successful one, wrapped in a very thin SF aesthetic. To be fair, dramas about artistic relationships are worthy subjects to talk about! But needlessly layering it with something that's an entirely different play, replete with uneven worldbuilding, isn't a good call.... Read more Read less

See it if ......... .

Don't see it if .........

See it if you need to see every addition into the new "post apocalyptic" genre that young playwrights love to set their pieces in.

Don't see it if you are neither willing to stretch your imagination nor allow gaps in logic to the story.

Also An inconsistent tone really hurts the piece. It begins with a couple (no chemistry btwn actors) living in squalid conditions who pin their hopes for a better future on a nationwide contest. There is no hint of absurdism set in the beginning so later in the play when the sense of established reality is broken with an all knowing Announcer (excellent, best part of production) who can choose the president, a character has a finger gun that can kill people, speeches breaking the 4th wall, among other things, it veers into an absurd farce and is neither that funny nor enlightening. Pass.... Read more Read less

See it if you like a funny yet sad look at what the future might be...including some politics. Delightful actors!

Don't see it if you can't tolerate that we are all going to Hell scenarios and lesbian drama. There is also some silliness.

See it if You like new works that have no idea where to go. The company of 3 is enthusiastic and friends in the audience will tell you when to laugh.

Don't see it if You want a coherent story.

Also I wanted to like this. Is it an eco-thriller? A slapstick comedy? A lesbian drama? But this play is all over the place. And the logic is distractingly weak. Denver is under water and Cleveland by the lake is the last ground and the capital? I get that the playwright wants to make an easy joke about Cleveland but it’s still pretty sophomoric.... Read more Read less

See it if You’re interested in a hilarious, relationship-driven look at political issues facing us

Don't see it if You like your theatre to strictly live in realism

See it if You like political theater. Deals with climate change, power, dishonesty and authoritarianism. Not quite didactic, but a slog.

Don't see it if Like crisp shows that move along. It is slow-paced and repetitive, strives for humor but not much there.

Also One of the three actors, playing The Announcer, was excellent. The other two show promise but are inexperienced and somewhat flat. The staging makes the most of a small space and low budget.... Read more Read less