Telling Tales Out of School NYC Reviews and Tickets

78%

(9 Ratings)

Positive

67%

Mixed

33%

Negative

Members say

Great acting, Absorbing, Slow, Profound, Resonant

About the Show

Harlem Renaissance luminaries reunite, revealing hidden truths about Alain Locke.

In June 1954, the Harlem Renaissance's visionary, Alain Locke, is commemorated at Benta's Funeral Home in Harlem. Renowned figures like Zora Neale Hurston, Nella Larsen, Jesse Fauset, and Nancy Cunard attend. Decades since their last meeting, and now in their sixties, they reunite at the Hotel Theresa post-funeral. What begins as effusive praise for Locke over tea takes a darker turn, revealing unsettling truths about the esteemed man and the four women who have gathered to pay their respects.

Show-Score Member Reviews (9)

Absorbing, Relevant, Resonant, Profound, Great acting

See it if 4 historical, notable & literary women speak of misogyny, challenges & relationships with passions & weaknesses. Outstanding acting. Brava!

Don't see it if Those audience members who feel uncomfortable on topics of racism, misogyny & vulnerability might want to skip this play. Read more

Entertaining, Thought-provoking, Intelligent, Great writing, Delightful

See it if You enjoy learning with a historical and entertaining play about our nation's unsung heroes

Don't see it if You don't like smart dialogue from a specific period

Quirky, Intelligent, Slow, Great staging, Great acting

See it if you would enjoy characters from a particular time period unexpectedly coming together and then agreeing to meet for tea and then play a game

Don't see it if would not enjoy seeing these characters tear into one another. The pace of this play is odd with music at the start and as a sort of pause.

Good costumes, Some interesting tid-bits,, Missed opportunity

See it if you are able to parse a cat-fight between Harlem Renaissance writers into something meaningful

Don't see it if you hope to gain insights into what they accomplished, what barriers they were able to overcome, and why they took up their challenges Read more

Overrated, Great staging, Great acting, Indulgent, Slow

See it if you want to see prominent women literary figures of the era in wonderful costumes.

Don't see it if you don't want to see and hear them tear each other apart...it was not pleasant.

Overrated, Indulgent, Disappointing, Cliched

See it if If you looking for any insight into this period. Writing was very weak.

Don't see it if Was slow and uninformative.

Intelligent drama about harlem rensaissance women

See it if you are interested in the great women writers of the Harlem Renaissance

Don't see it if if you have no interest in literary figures. Read more

Thought-provoking, Profound, Great acting, Entertaining, Absorbing

See it if Characters from Harlem Renaissance, dishing each other. Great to learn about their lives and writing. Wonderful ensemble cast.

Don't see it if Not one had a good word to say about any of the others' work. Much dishing, at times funny, but also disappointing.

Critic Reviews (2)

“ ‘Telling Tales Out of School’ is a creative, smart and compelling play about four of America’s and Britain’s literary minds. If you’re looking for great acting, a journey to the past and meaningful writing, this is a play to catch this season.”
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“The performances are sublime, superb, and expert. The actors are at the top of their game and they are thoroughly enjoying the back-and-forth banter of thoughts and ideas. They are not only women of art but broads of the world. It is a captivating thought-provoking theatrical experience.”
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Trailer

Creative team