Strange Interlude

See it if Amazing virtuoso performance. Poetic language full of witty psychological insight. Family drama + Greek tragedy + black comedy. Unique.

Don't see it if Dated elements: Freudian sexuality, gender stereotypes, and a nontraditional family suffering due to its secrets. Clever but not moving.

See it if Greenspan's epic, solo tour-de-force adapt of O'Neill's 6hr soap opera Playing all 8 characters w/both spoken & interior dialogue he's *****

Don't see it if O'Neill's wordy pop psychology can be a tough slog esp moving into last hrs Constant moving via action grows tedious but Greenspan shines!

See it if you want a remarkable theatrical experience unlike anything you have seen. David Greenspan speaks lines as if they are spontaneous comments

Don't see it if you cannot focus on one actor for an hour. The 6 hour performance is broken into hourish long segments. Also lots of audience stair climbing

See it if Like to use your imagination and pay attention to great acting doing a tour-do-force of multiple characters over many hours.

Don't see it if Hate one-person versions of shows.

See it if You are challenged by the thought of a 6 hour night. I was very impressed by the skill and talent of David Greenspan.

Don't see it if You don’t enjoy solo shows! Lots of stairs too, but it was good to get up and move after the scenes as the chairs are somewhat uncomfortable

See it if You want to be able to say you were there. You are a Greenspan completeist. He does make the different characters, and the play, clear.

Don't see it if You can consider the possibility of too much David Greenspan. As usual, good as he is, he is always more David than the character he plays.

See it if You love amazing solo performances. David Greenspan is a national treasure.

Don't see it if You don't like Eugene O'Neill, 6 hour plays, or extremely crowded seating. Otherwise, go!!

See it if you want to be impressed with an incredible feat of acting that works to delineate the characters and bring them to life as individuals

Don't see it if your mind is prone to wander over a long stretch of listening - even if the performance is engaging

Also I really enjoyed this production! I was delighted by the laugh out loud moments and that Greenspan is able to engage with such emotional intensity. It was moving and enjoyable on many levels.

The timing has been tightened up. We started at 5pm and were done at 10:40.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a remarkable theater experience with a legendary actor. What an accomplishment! O'Neill as you've never seen or heard him.

Don't see it if you can't stand the thought of sitting in a play for almost six hours. Also, this play can seem like a soap opera but here it works

Also If you like once in a lifetime theater experiences I highly recommend STRANGE INTERLUDE. Won't ever forget this performance. You won't believe riveting when it's this length but I was transfixed.... Read more Read less

See it if you like Eugene O'Neill, you like intense emotional dramas that dig deep into characters' psyches.

Don't see it if you are easily confused.

See it if you are a Eugene ONeil fan and wish to see a play not often done. An amazing dramatic accomplishment for this solo artist.

Don't see it if you hate solo works or long dramas of a bygone age.

Also The actor is amazing. Am glad i saw this production, and,although i liked the movement from set to set, i felt a bit regimented during the experience by staff, plus lots of stairs.... Read more Read less

See it if you want an experience!! PHENOMENAL acting. David Greenspan is incredible. Changes how you think about one-man shows & this impossible play

Don't see it if you dislike O'Neill or you don't have time for a 5 hour show. That said, even if you're the distracted type, this is unbelievably engaging.

See it if You are a fan of O'Neill, Greenspan, or the Transport Group. It's epic. The time went quickly. This is an "I was there" opportunity.

Don't see it if You like short, concise, easy theater. You cannot sit in a narrow seat for long stretches. You dislike melodrama.

Also Greenspan learned 5+ hours of dialogue and yet was able to not only differentiate all 8 characters, but also portray the alternating interior monologues and conversational dialogue with clarity and precision.
It's very much a soap opera, but the issues of family insanity, abortion, infidelity, and jealousy must have astounded folks in 1923. Hasn't been revised since the early 80s, and I wonder if a full production would/could ever be done here again.
This is worthy of a visit for creative use of sets/spaces alone.
The seats are not comfortable, fortunately someone in our row didn't come so we were able to spread out a bit.
It's available on tdf and you should order the dinner.... Read more Read less

See it if Absolutely brilliant to see an actor inhabit so many roles at one time. One of the best things I have ever seen in my life.

Don't see it if I a five hour Eugene O'Neill play is not your cup of chai.

See it if You are a fan of Eugene O'Neill, and love watching great acting

Don't see it if you have a short attention span

See it if you want to watch an incredible actor play multiple roles and share a lifetime in these characters with you.

Don't see it if you're not prepared to commit 6 hours of your time and pay serious attention.

See it if You want to see a once in a lifetime performance of immeasurable grace and wit.

Don't see it if I cannot imagine anyone who would not adore this production. See it.

See it if You can be absorbed in something really long. It's a giant evening but I definitely found it to be worth it.

Don't see it if You know that you'll check out after 2 hours. (You have to stay actively invested in the show)

See it if You want to experience the power of masterful acting an almost impossible seeming accomplishment-an unforgettable experience in the theater.

Don't see it if You want a more traditional theatrical experience

See it if Monumental.. A Happening. BYO food or pre-order. 1/2 hour break to eat. Clever use of 3 stages. My 80, partner's 95. It's Eugene O'Neill..

Don't see it if Six hours from Curtain up to Curtain Call. Seats too tight. Many many steps, Too many whispered scenes. No credit to Irondale.

Also Greenspan plays every character to perfection.
.... Read more Read less

See it if you've never seen David Greenspan or TransportGroup, want a once in a lifetime experience, appreciate brilliant performance & direction

Don't see it if 6 hours is 2 long 2 pay attention, dislike totally melodramatic scripts, can't see how one actor can play 8 characters all at once, find out

See it if an epic performance by Greenspan. How he switches between characters is astounding. A must-see for actors and theater buffs.

Don't see it if you can't endure five hours with 2 intermissions and a dinner break. But it's worth it and very entertaining.

Also Greenspan plays all eight parts in the 1923 play which is about an upper-class woman who --after her fiance is killed in World War I -- is pursued by three men who are friends. Utterly astounding how he memorized all five hours of dialogue. It takes a while to get used to how Greenspan switches characters. Further compicated by O’nell’s extensive use of soliloquies in which the characters express their inner thoughts to the audience (while the other characters are on stage). I think this technique would be tiresome if performed by a cast of actors. But the way Greenspan does it, keeps it fascinating and often amusing. My attention never flagged, though the last two of the nine scenes dragged a little. Constructed inside the church is a large wooden enclosure which has two rooms with sets and risers in each for the audience of about 60. The audience moves from room to room for scene changes.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to be part of an amazing theatrical event. I found myself forgetting that there was one person performing every part. Mind bending

Don't see it if You don't like solo shows. But I suggest seeing it anyway!!!

See it if You want to see a feat of acting. You enjoy sweeping, epic period dramas.

Don't see it if You want a story deserving of 5 hrs of stage time. You don’t have patience (takes one act to “sink” into the world of the play).

See it if You are a fan of great acting. It's a one man show of a multi character play. The six hours fly by. An amazing evening of theatre!

Don't see it if you can't do six hours, don't like one person shows, have a problem with stairs