The Boy Who Danced On Air

See it if Ambitious chamber musical about culturally condoned (?) pedophilia in the Arab world. Very well sung & acted despite uncomfortable depiction

Don't see it if Overly plotted (the subplot is extraneous) & many songs hinder pacing The gay relationship between the bacha bazi dancers is underwritten

See it if Great songs, great singing by all 5 male actors, fascinating (but..see below) tale. 2 great dancers.] Play needs a longer run.

Don't see it if disturbing topic of life in Afghanistan

See it if You like all kinds of theatre..

Don't see it if You are not open to all kinds of theatre.

See it if you want to learn about this custom. you want a glimpse into Afghan disillusionment in US.

Don't see it if You are uncomfortable with pedophilia, Muslims as victim, hero, and villain. With USA strictly villainous.

Also This was an amazing performance, in a black box theater transformed into a good approximation of a corner of Afghanistan. This felt like a fully realized production. I loved the use of light and curtains and scenery.
There was quite a bit of information about this "dancing boy" custom, however I am not sure it would have been as meaningful had I not read the program.
The concept of adult men having boy lovers to remain faithful to their religion's admonishment to know only one woman was new to me and is a practice now outlawed. It allows one to peek at self deception, self loathing, jealousy, possessiveness. Jonathan Raviv calls to mind The Band's Visit and the music here does not compare. The story ultimately becomes very familiar and doesn't quite live up to it's lyric poster, but I enjoyed the journey.... Read more Read less

See it if it gets the new life it deserves. It's a moving portrayal of a real issue most haven't even heard of. The story, score & cast are 1st rate.

Don't see it if you need happy-go-lucky theatre. This is about perseverance through unthinkable obstacles & finding the courage to grab at joy when you can.

See it if Beautiful music and touching love songs. Excellent selection of cast members!

Don't see it if If you have difficulty with gay topic.

See it if you want to experience some of the most beautiful & pristine singing on stage today. Story is controversial: so what. RUN & SEE THIS SHOW!

Don't see it if same-sex PDA's make you squeamish. It's SO much more than what we bargain for. Deserves to be in slightly larger theater w/MUCH longer run.

See it if You are open to learning about aspects of other cultures. An interesting insight into the Afghani culture and a unique love story.

Don't see it if You prefer more traditional content in a musical or you are uncomfortable with the depiction of violence.

See it if you want to be shaken, moved, tense, relieved, enchanted, frightened, by new material that is inescapably emotionally complex.

Don't see it if a difficult play about conflicting moral values, traditions and cultures isn't your taste. Not for the those who want simple happy endings

Also This play/musical is disturbing. It tells a story based on real life experiences we aren't familiar with in North America. But it tells the story with respect and insight that we all need to know are essential to being human, brave and fearless.... Read more Read less

See it if You are open to seeing a work that while not great, is different and with characters we don't often see on stage.

Don't see it if You hate musicals, particularly if you feel the music should reflect the setting.

See it if young gay love

Don't see it if deals with pedophilia

See it if you like an intimate political musical with great tunes, an absorbing plot, and high stakes. A both challenging and emotional little show/

Don't see it if you don't like political musicals, are uncomfortable with gay abuse, rape, or a show set in Afghanistan.

See it if you like dark themes, you like new musicals, you like small casts, you like great singing

Don't see it if dark topics make you feel uncomfortable, you want a large cast, you want a standard storyline

Also Interesting new musical looking at tradition and morality, love and dreams. A taboo subject is the key here that provides the catalyst for the love story. The cast of 5 does extremely well with the storyline, and the music mixes pop and shades of Arabic textures together. The heartbreaking ending is also hopeful. Troy Iwata and Nikhil Saboo are wonderful as the two dancing boys who have great voices and capable dancing styles as well. Jonathan Raviv as the master straddles that line of good/bad extremely well. A musical that will stay with you long after you leave the theater.... Read more Read less

See it if you are ok with difficult subject matters staged to beautiful music. great voices. wonderful actors.

Don't see it if overly complex story lines. politics could have been left out. trying to be too clever. very difficult topic

See it if you enjoy a musical that's a bit different and doesn't always end the way you want it to. Troy Iwata is someone to watch.

Don't see it if you have qualms about the realities of life and how cruel it can sometimes be. And yes, it is about same sex relationships.

See it if you want to see an excellent, charismatic, fully-committed cast at work; if you're intrigued by premise (& prospect of making it a musical)

Don't see it if premise squicks you out; if you can't w/ utterly conventional approaches to tricky material (Newsies x MissSaigon, but not as accomplished)

See it if You like a good story. If you're open minded to other cultures' source of pain beautifully acted. If you want to learn and to think and feel

Don't see it if You're closed minded about traditions/ other cultures view about " men have needs". You're squeamish about men and young boys together.

See it if you have the stomach for a really good musical that is about a very rancid subject: pedophilia in Afghanistan. So well done and worth it.

Don't see it if you only like "My Fair Lady" musicals that don't try to open our minds to strong subject material.

See it if You like unusual subject matter. Well written but often repetitious score. Good off stage orchestra.

Don't see it if You don't like slow pace, quite a few people left at intermission. Don't like somewhat confusing endings.

See it if You like musicals that make a social and political point as well as psychologically complex

Don't see it if You have a problem with mediocre dance (partially because of the small stage) You do not like political themes or seeing them simplified.

Also The set director did the best he/she could with the set given the small space but because of the dance and different scenes this play needs a larger stage--if they wanted to be in midtown low budget maybe they could have considered a high school stage and auditorium. Although every effort was made to make the characters three dimensional given
the constraints of the musical format and the time limits of the play these were definitely constraints. There were places where I felt it was unrealistic like Jandahar shooting the boy in the foot but I suspect in the Afghan cultural context this might be more realistic. Both the effect of so called foreign aid projects and the issue of the male child prostitutes were explored and these are important topics that one usually does not see in theater... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a beautiful yet tragic production with some fantastic singing.

Don't see it if You’re sensitive to physical abuse or the idea of slavery.

Also Absolutely brilliant. This show is stunning. I can’t remember the last time I was this blown away by an off-Broadway production. The singing is amazing. The story intense. Great acting, gorgeous actors, and stunning duets. I don’t stand easily, but I was on my feet along with the rest of the audience at the end. Bravo.... Read more Read less

See it if exploring a controversial part of the Afghan culture, exquisite singing, dance, acting & tragic but uplifting stories excite you.

Don't see it if you are uncomfortable with pedophilia or same sex relationships on stage, or if you want a traditional musical or something light.

See it if You want to champion new original musicals.

Don't see it if You are uncomfortable with pedophilia on stage.

See it if you're into dark musicals that make it okay to laugh sometimes while still being depressing and if you like great music.

Don't see it if you don't like heavy musicals about hard topics

See it if You are interested in culture like musicals​ and are open minded

Don't see it if You are offended by homosexual interaction