The Brutes

See it if you are interested in the civil war, or American theater history.

Don't see it if you are not willing to concentrate very hard just to follow what is going on.

Also I found "The Brutes" consistently intriguing, but ultimately disappointing. The subject matter centers on 1 of the most celebrated nights in American theater history: a benefit performance of “Julius Caesar” at NYC's Winter Garden that starred the 3 thespian Booth Brothers, including America’s most famous actor, Edwin, & Lincoln's future assassin, John Wilkes. Because Edwin is also rehearsing Hamlet at the time, Junius Brutus Booth, Sr, a celebrated actor & father of the clan, has an opportunity to come back from the dead as the Ghost of Hamlet's father. The play is full of smart, theatrical strokes like that. But making Wilkes a subsidiary character, uptight & thoroughly disagreeable, feels like a lost opportunity. The role of Asia, the boys’ sister, while major, remains muddled throughout. The Brutes of the title, Confederate-sympathizing bully boys that terrorize NYC, never feel integrated into the piece.... Read more Read less

See it if you can keep up with alot of dialogue and characters.

Don't see it if you're looking for an in-depth exploration of JW Booth.

See it if Wimpee's well conceived tale of the Confederacy told thru the Booth acting dynasty Good acting esp Belvo's Edwin & O'Brien's Julius Sr Booth

Don't see it if Plot lines strained & confusing requiring patient sorting thru Works best when dealing w/back stage histronics of an all Booth performance

See it if you enjoy watching a play with good acting.

Don't see it if object to historical plays that appear pointless and uninteresting.

See it if you're familiar with and enjoy Shakespeare. There were enough funny moments to keep the performance entertaining.

Don't see it if you find it difficult to intensely focus on dialogue. It is rather taxing.

Also I look forward to reading more reviews. I found it very hard to understand many of the characters, especially when they were faced away from me, but could not tell if it was the dialogue or the delivery. It may be that Shakespearean plays are just not for me.... Read more Read less

See it if You have some familiarity with the Booth family & know your Shakespeare references. You enjoy plays based on historical figures.

Don't see it if You want a play w/a strong POV: I was unsure what it was trying to say. You want insight into the Booths: this doesn't go beyond the basics.

See it if You are super familiar with Shakespeare and can follow fast-paced, convoluted plot lines.

Don't see it if You want to see character development, learn more about the Booth family, or have trouble keeping track of multiple plot lines.

Also The show decided to forego a sound system, which would be fine if all the actors would project their voices, if it wasn’t in a theater in the round, and they differentiated between their dialogue and stage directions.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy these themes: history + language + politics relevant to our time.

Don't see it if You're looking for light and fluffy.