Tape

See it if Compromise rating. Nice tale that had to be told. Loved the thinking re: the scene To each viewer it could mean so much..

Don't see it if One questions some of the acting and the thinking re: THE INCIDENT

See it if you like absurd relationships that people maintain where one is a happy loser, one is getting a career step forward and one plays them both.

Don't see it if you want clarity: setting is today (video at end is dated 2010/ten years ago) but old cassette tape recorder and outdated phone are props.

See it if interested in how 3 people, one time high school friends, differently experience a long ago occurrence; small doses of humor

Don't see it if you're looking for characters you care about; uneven acting; I know there must be a reason for Amy's ridiculous wardrobe but it eludes me.

Also We were sitting in the first row near the radiator which hissed throughout the 80 minutes of the play. I found the play grating and annoying to begin with, but the noise from the radiator made it feel as though the room was in agreement.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a play where three former classmates discuss an incident that happened 10 years ago

Don't see it if You are going to be bothered by costume, props and a set that doesn’t make sense

Also From the very beginning I was lost. I assume the point of the first scene, before any of the other characters arrive was for us to learn that the character on stage was immature and needed to grow up. I don’t understand why he was spilling beer, only drinking half of his beer, dumping the beer on his body and then throwing about 20 empty beer cans from a duffel bag on the hotel room floor? If they were trying to establish him as an immature drunk, the play should’ve started with the beer cans already on the floor and him drinking a beer not wasting beer.
Overall this was poorly written, poorly directed and poorly acted
It always drives me crazy when there is unprofessionalism involved. I was waiting for my friend to come out of the bathroom after the show and all the actors ran to the lobby. I heard one actor asked three different people if they liked the show.
If you’ve been to this theater you know the heater sounds like a hospice patient a few breaths from death.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a play that deals (not very subtly) with the subtlies of acquantance rape and screwed up relationships

Don't see it if you want to see great acting. Except for Leila Berkane's "Amy", the lack of experience showed. A few important staging errors

Also Berkane's staging error in the first scene probably made this a much less engaging play than it should have been. Vincent delibrately trashing the motel room, rather than "naturally" trashing it, probably made this too over the top and the play never recovered. If Berkane had "Vincent" enter the room with the beer cans already all over the floor, rather than him delibrately throwing them there, his character flaws would still be apparent but much more subtle. "Amy" dress also seemed to be a bit over the top, but perhaps that was to indicate that she still hadn't deslt with one or more sexual traumas.

If nothing else the show should serve as a warning to get toxic people out of your life.

The ambiguities of the situation are an imprortant thing to be dealt with and I applauded both author and director for doing that... Read more Read less

See it if you like plays that focus on characters traits, motives & interactions, the topic of sexual violence & good acting.

Don't see it if you dislike characters repeatedly arguing, whose motivations, in one case, are not realistic & a "message" that is unclear.

See it if you want to see a play that deals with possible sex abuse and long kept feelings that can fester over time.

Don't see it if you want to see a play that is tightly directed and where the dialogue moves along.

Also I thought the dress worn by the female in the play was too ridiculous and took away from the production. the play needs more work, but I found it engaging.
The theatre is so dirty that I started to cough when I sat down. The seats are filthy and very old.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a short play with an intriguing theme and some good moments.

Don't see it if you want a high-quality production. Character development is minimal; some character decisions have no rationale; acting is inconsistent.

See it if Your interested in a study of hypocrisy.

Don't see it if A simple straight forward ending with one sided characters

Also The play should have ended with the very good actors on stage. The video added in at the end added nothing to the play. It even took away from a well thought out ending. It should be eliminated.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a fantastic and interesting play that reflects different late 90s sensibilities and concerns. Like well done characters

Don't see it if mind a weak production with some below average performances and strange design decisions in all aspects of the production.

Also The play reflects Clinton impeachment era concerns. Then as now many couldn't say their guy had acted badly but shouldn't be removed so excused his behavior by focusing only on the sex and judging that only on consent. So here a character did things that sound like at least sexual assault. He feels bad about it, but moved on. His friend desperately wants the confession. The girl simply doesn't see what happened as rape. The key dynamic is clearly male ego. Neither male character can accept that maybe what happened was exactly what she wanted to happen. Some in the me to era, which has decidedly different concerns, may find these themes problematic can't say. So loved the play, production was weak at all levels. The play is clearly set in the late 90s and the production maintains those references and props, but then sets it in 2020 with modern technology layered above. The costume of the woman seems bizarre for the character and the situation. Performances are often stiff and unnatura... Read more Read less

See it if I never saw the film (or don't remember it) but StephenBelber's script seems more suited to the Stage than the Big Screen so fans might like

Don't see it if If U prefer large cast shows (only 3 here) or grow weary of watchin a director trying to maneuver actors in a tiny space strewn w/ beer cans

Also Know your Playwright Stephen Belber: "Don't Go Gentle" (Lucille Lortel/2012)
"Fault Lines" (Cherry Lane Theater/2008)
"A Small, Melodramatic Story" (Public Theater/2006)
"McReele" (Laura Pels Theater/2005) "The Laramie Project" Union Square Theater/2000/Associate Writer)... Read more Read less

See it if There's something here, but it isn't quite ready for primetime. It's not bad, but you probably don't need to see it.

Don't see it if It features a cassette tape purchased at K-Mart as a plot point & is set in 2020, so it takes a lot of suspension of disbelief.

See it if If costuming is your thing (no, not the cover photo). I'm talking about Asst. DA's totally inappropriate outfit, especially the shoes.

Don't see it if You're looking for motivation, meaning or mystery. Or why these three characters would have anything in common.

See it if into that real-time play that Linklater made into a small film

Don't see it if too crtitical

Also This production is better than its parts if you can flow with their "Lets put on a show" adventure. The acting is uneven: "Vince" is pretty natural, while "Jon" gestures a lot as amateurs do and "Amy" is dressed provocatively as if auditioning for a very different role. But the play moves along, the jokes land, and for theater at that level, I had a pretty good time.... Read more Read less

See it if If you enjoy the elements of a whodunit with variables of intrigue.You never know where you are being taken with the characters.I found myse

Don't see it if If you want an elaborate production with known celebs or a fantastic set design.Just a small intimate setting.

Also lf saying,what is he going to do next.The provocateur was simply outstanding in his role.He was absolutely masterful.The other characters were right there with him.A great piece of theater in a small venue but worth seeing.Enjoy this play.I certainly did.... Read more Read less

See it if You like to see plays that don’t adhere to stereotypes.

Don't see it if You have no interest in plays that deal with millennial topics such as date rape and drug & alcohol addiction and female empowerment.

Also I really enjoyed watching this play, in spite of its very uneven performances, I assume due to lack of rehearsal time and preparation for an ultra short 4-performance run.

Kudos to Leila Berkane for wanting to produce this 1999 play. I don’t agree with most of the creative directing choices she made, but I respect them and her vision. Date rape affects each generation differently, and this play, although written during the generation X era, very well fits the millennial approach.

This play deserves a new production for it offers interesting female empowerment perspectives to the millennial generation.... Read more Read less

See it if You would enjoy and appreciate a dark comedy based around the very serious topic of sexual assault.

Don't see it if You are sensitive to themes of alcohol, drug abuse or sex abuse.

Also The actor who played Vince was a real standout as far as his acting ability and he happened to have most of the humorous lines that were present in this dark comedy. Also, the set was comedic, specifically the door handle that fell off every time one of the actors entered or exited the “hotel room” where the play took place. In addition, I couldn’t make sense of why the female in the play who was supposed to be an assistant district attorney was wearing an outfit that seemed more akin to someone playing a hooker. Regardless, this play was the right amount of drama and comedy and just a light night out for me which I really enjoyed.... Read more Read less

See it if A unique take on sexual assault Interesting characters trying to figure out who they are

Don't see it if Strong acting from all characters A story that makes complete sense (though still enjoyable)

Also Vince was great. John was kind of flat on his delivery. The female lead (who I think is the director as well) had an outfit that did not make immediate sense (but perhaps that was the point?)... Read more Read less

See it if you want to observe poor acting skills. you like personal contrived drama

Don't see it if you don't like seeing poor acting skills displayed, or Clumsy direction. yo0u don't want to see a Protagonist as vapid.

See it if Thought provoking play written in the 1990’s but is still very relevant today. The cast did a wonderful job of keeping the audience engaged.

Don't see it if You have triggers about sexual assault. Your expecting an elaborate set. This play has three actors and is all about an interesting story.