Reparations NYC Reviews and Tickets

88%

(41 Ratings)

Positive

100%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Great acting, Absorbing, Great writing, Relevant, Intense

About the Show

In this world premiere, a recently widowed white book editor invites a younger black writer to her apartment, only to find that a night of passion turns into a tumultuous morning-after.

From the show:

The Billie Holiday Theatre Artistic and Executive Director Dr. Indira Etwaroo presents the theatre’s world premiere of James Sheldon’s Reparations, a centerpiece of the inaugural New Windows Festival, a major highlight of The Billie’s 2019-2020 season.

Reparations tells the story of a recently widowed white book editor (Alexandra Neil) who invites a younger black writer (Kamal Bolden) to her apartment, only to find that a night of tenderness and passion turns into a tumultuous morning-after when he threatens to reveal a dark secret from her past. As family friends – played by Lisa Arrindell and Gys de Villiers - join them for an Upper East Side lunch, we discover whether the young writer will succeed in claiming his “reparations” for a life of racial injustice and personal betrayal.

Show-Score Member Reviews (41)

Well told story, Intense, Relevant, Absorbing

See it if You enjoy seeing a complicated surprising plot. Great acting, great writing. Also, love intro to a venue new to me.

Don't see it if Has some triggers

Great writing, Edgy, Great acting

See it if You like dramas that deal with important but very touchy subjects that a lot of people are afraid to explore

Don't see it if You are hoping for something light. This is definitely a play that will strike a nerve and get some emotion out of you Read more

Must see, Great acting, Entertaining, Ambitious, Absorbing

See it if you want to see a play which puts a spin on the idea of "reparations". The twist is intriguing and makes you think.

Don't see it if If you have no idea what is reparations and/or dont think it necessary.

Great writing, Thought-provoking

See it if Suspenseful, thought provoking idea of how society's now treating sexual assault, but what about racism, how do we heal from racism?

Don't see it if Race talks (Black/white institutional racism) or sexual assault are triggering / not your thing. Don't like going to deeper Brooklyn. Read more

Complex identities, Intersectional, Relevant, Great acting, Unraveling plot

See it if you like plays that explore the intersectionality of the many issues -race, justice, gender, and equity using deeply personal perspectives.

Don't see it if you want to feel comfortable with the choices that the characters make. Also, beware of the mass transit system to Brooklyn - lots of delays

A well-written and acted play, The set designs are attention grabbing, An emotional journey, It pulls you in and doesn't let go!

See it if You enjoy plays about conflict, memory, and what lies beneath the human psyche which drives all that we are and do.

Don't see it if All of the above is too heavy to ponder and absorb. Read more

Relevant, Great writing, Thought-provoking, Great acting, Absorbing

See it if You're interested in intelligent writing and issues. Excellent cast explore personal secrets, inter-personal conflicts & paths to resolution

Don't see it if You're not interested to face challenges and expectations in life, or examine topical issues, our histories and our closest relationships.

Thought-provoking, Great writing, Great acting, Clever, Absorbing

See it if If want to see good acting with intense subject matter that address sexual abuse. Good writing with good banter between the actors.

Don't see it if If sexual abuse, interracial, June/Dec relationships make you feel uncomfortable.

Critic Reviews (1)

Trailer

Creative team

The Billie Holiday Theatre