TERRA FIRMA

See it if Fantastic imagining of a true story, with a fabulous set and good acting, the parallel to the Tempest interesting but the actual play boring

Don't see it if Nothing happens in a very long shipwrecked family saga --time expands and never ends

Also Based on the true story of the Principality of Sealand, a crazy almost mythologically bizarre story. Read the Narratively essay instead. The set is fabulous, but the plot circular and the pointlessness exceeds the dreams.... Read more Read less

See it if For the program notes. The true story is interesting. Explosions are very effective.

Don't see it if Not truly absurd for absurdism, not compelling at all for a drama, not funny enough for a comedy.

Also I feel like the playwright so wanted to write about this topic but couldn't really find a footing to hang it on. Also, this play had about three endings. At one point, the squirming audience was about to applaud when the lights came back up and there was another natural ending, then another. Couldn't wait to get off this sinking ship.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see another dystopian allegorical play about the politics of today.

Don't see it if You don't care about politics or if you are startled by loud noises (of which there are many).

See it if you have patience for muddled story-telling, you like doomsday theater, you like absurdist theater

Don't see it if you want actors who can project their voices, you want a developed storyline

Also The characters were unrelatable, but the worst part was that the actors often faced the rear of the stage or spoke when in awkward positions. I would probably have liked it more if they had enunciated the lines better. The physicality was good enough to get the gist but lots of details were missed.... Read more Read less

See it if Like nodding at name checks of "human condition" and "topical" metaphors. To see Andrus Nichols get paid.

Don't see it if Looking for deeper engagement with themes, clear narrative plot, resolution. Want development and coherence on top of great characterization

See it if you want to see a beautiful set, actors working hard, interesting ideas, a company that is trying hard to do interesting stuff

Don't see it if you want to see a play that is coherent. So many interesting ideas but not formed into a play that works hence audience is left drowning

See it if you want to support an ambitious new work by a brand new theater company. Very good acting.

Don't see it if You are not interested in a quirky show

See it if you want to try to figure out the point they are getting across you like to see nice acting at Baruch college

Don't see it if you want to see something with some excitement.. this just dragged for us

Also we felt that they did not do a good job at getting their point across -- whatever they were trying to convey.... it just .. missed... Read more Read less

See it if The physical production and staging are first-rate, and the acting, overall, was outstanding.

Don't see it if It's a dull play lacking in humor or insight. As a political allegory, it's a confusing and non-specific one, given the state of the world.

See it if you're interested in allegories about climate change. Some great performances including Andrus Nichols, Tom O'Keefe and John Keating.

Don't see it if you're easily confused by unclear staging.

See it if Ambitious play that plays on grand schemes. Fabulous set and scoring, brief flashes of brilliance.

Don't see it if Coherence.

See it if Effort by the cast. Always enjoy Keating. Baruch has a nice theater space. Talk-back always a plus.

Don't see it if Although based on a true tale. somehow it did not work for us,, Avoid front row (high stage)

See it if Want to see an apocalyptic vision (based on true story) of people trying to define country, civilization and hope for the future. Ambitious.

Don't see it if Don't like no-break 100 mins in VERY uncomfortable seat. Want any char development, compelling story. Don't like sudden VERY loud noises.

Also I'm all for emerging theater companies and earnest attempts at tackling complex issues. This had promise , but grew tedious with too much repetition and unfocused story. I just didn't care for the characters (despite their precarious circumstance) and it was somewhat confusing to follow.

The play introduces the glimmers of plot points that might have been interesting if developed further, but in this incarnation just felt like red herrings.

Saw this at Baruch Performing Arts Center, late previews, 10/19... Read more Read less

See it if You can deal with an absurd Absurdist play

Don't see it if You have a problem with slow tedious and NOISY plays.

See it if want to support a new theater company with a game cast of actors in an ambitious show. Very good set. Well intentioned.

Don't see it if Promise is unfulfilled. Story based on a real incident, is muddled & repetitive.

See it if you like some unusual and semi-odd plays

Don't see it if you don't want to think to enjoy a play, this is a thinker and ideas aren't spelled out; you aren't following along with current events

See it if good acting,good set, absurd plot--somewhat interesting relevant topic relating to our society.

Don't see it if Don't like amateurish theater.If want truly well written thought provoking play -this is slow, tiresome, repetitious.

Also Saw play because of time and location convenience and cost-and few early SS reviews.. Though this was not a play to walk out on, it was not worth valuable theater time.... Read more Read less

See it if Acting & set were pleasing. Direction needs major revision.Some scenes lost it's moments due to repetitive actions.Explosions kept me awake.

Don't see it if If you don't like slow pace plays or loud explosions.

Also It was free but I probably touched a different value and can't fix it.

See it if ... for the wonderful set and staging.

Don't see it if ... you are interested in an intriguing plot or intriguing character interaction.

See it if u want 2 support,Coop, a new theater company founded by Kate Hamill & A. Nichols that has great promise. Good acting, interesting staging

Don't see it if u do not like Beckettian apocalyptic plays in progress that try 2 convey too many themes creating a big muddle.

Also What might have been a good short play had too much repetition, needs editing and focus... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see an allegory about the disintegration of society.

Don't see it if you prefer a linear presentation.

Also The allegory was too heavy-handed. The set design was excellent.
The acting was un-even.... Read more Read less

See it if for good acting and nice set in modern venue with authentic sound effects.

Don't see it if by consensus very uncomfortable chairs. Overrated show in the way the script is handling subject.

See it if you like plays that are based on true events, especially a bit of obscure history that you'd be unlikely to know but which has relevance.

Don't see it if you want a well-crafted psychological drama about national identity and social responsibility. The message is lost in mediocre metaphor.

See it if Want to see excellent actors (Andrus is wonderful) decently directed - wasting their time with a helpless play.

Don't see it if Value your time. A train wreck of an ersatz-dystopia play that never comes alive. Can’t be saved by the actors who gamely try.

See it if You want a fascinating situation staged clearly.

Don't see it if You want something less philosophy and more action.

Also TERRA FIRMA is a big play with big ideas but it suffers from the weight of its own ambition. I'm not sure how else to describe it but not as an underdeveloped show (not in the slightest) but a show developed in a direction that didn't serve the potential meaning that the work could elucidate.... Read more Read less