The Hairy Ape

See it if you like avant garde works. THA was more to be admired than enjoyed. The spectacle dazzles more than the words engage. Bobby C. works hard.

Don't see it if you like easy entertainment. Some parts drag. The staging is operatic, clever, imaginative. Sometimes, tho, it distracts from the content.

Also Everyone in my section was complaining about the uncomfortable plastic chairs. 90 minutes feels long when your back hurts.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy declarative expressionist texts. More philosophizing than actual dialogue. The staging and Cannavale are absolutely outstanding.

Don't see it if The acoustics are not the best, but expected in a venue so vast. It does get slow at time.

Also What a stunning production. Grandiose but never over the top.
Cannavale gives a tour de force performance.
This expressionistic play feels a bit dated at points mostly because the style is seldom done anymore. Some parts are reminiscent of the recent Broadway "The Visit". It takes some acclimating to the pace but it's a great style to be revisited at this point in history.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy really creative, artistic, avant garde staging. Came off more like a live art piece than a typical play. Themes still relevant.

Don't see it if Found some parts a bit slow and the text is not typical dialog but it works for this type of production.

Also The whole experience at the Armory is pretty cool. We had a nice time.

See it if You want to see this play done on a truly grand scale. The actors are all top notch, the direction is brilliant. It's as relevant as ever.

Don't see it if You like your drama served straight up. This is a "re-imagining" that worked VERY WELL for me.

See it if Every scene in this powerful expressionist story takes place in a visually stunning expressionist set. Great acting and symbolism.

Don't see it if You prefer something happier or more realistic. You don't want to think about the meaning of the colors, masks, balcony, etc.

See it if you want to see a highly-stylized version of O'Neill's expressionist polemic. Cleverly staged and powerfully acted, esp by Cannavale.

Don't see it if you prefer O'Neill's more naturalistic family dramas or if you have xanthophobia (fear of the color yellow).

See it if Jones' stunning expressionistic staging is a visual knock-out & gels perfectly with O'Neill's dramatic intent. Cannavale's perfect as Yank

Don't see it if Audibility & accents sometimes problemic & message a little one note but just quibbles It's a rare must-see for any avid theater goer

See it if you enjoy great direction & sets, strong acting, epic structure, & great use of space, are a Bobby Canavale fan, want to see a rare O'Neill

Don't see it if loud, epic stagings are not your thing, have never been an O'Neill fan, prefer more realistic sets & situations, not a fan of archaic usage

See it if you want an experience with fantastic staging. Interesting but dated concepts are expressed in beautiful monologues.

Don't see it if you want complex themes. This is an old study in personal verses political. The plot is thin and the characters are one dimensional.

See it if you want to see a visually stunning production full of exciting surprises.

Don't see it if you only like naturalism or big fluffy musicals. This production highlights the play's expressionism.

See it if You want a dynamic, riveting production. You want great acting. You want a classic play that is still relevant.

Don't see it if You want a contemporary play. You prefer traditional staging. You don't like O'Neill, though this production, may change your mind.

See it if You want to see a rarely performed Eugene O'Neill play performed in an incredible space at the Park Avenue Armory with creative staging.

Don't see it if You want to see something fun. This is super serious and intense. Didn't make much sense as a play. Was really a polemic, beautifully staged

Also Bobby Cannavale gave a very strong and sometimes playful performance. The set was fantastic and the whole space was used to great effect. Really unique staging. However, the yellow chairs for the audience which looked amazing were actually very uncomfortable.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a brilliant staging & central performance of a classic drama, even if you dislike the subject matter or the play itself.

Don't see it if You don't enjoy plays about not belonging & class inequity. This play is light on plot & heavy-handed on those themes.

See it if You'd enjoy seeing Bobby Cannavale lead a strong cast - amazing set design, great acting, even the yellow seating is a sight to behold.

Don't see it if You wouldn't like the tale of a man struggling to fit in. 90 minutes.

See it if Bobby Cannavale is extraordinary, as is the staging and use of the huge stage. The production is beguiling.

Don't see it if The sound was poor in the beginning and I missed quite a bit of conversation. This made the story confusing and difficult for me to follow

See it if you want to experience one of Eugene O'Neill's expressionistic plays. You are a fan of Bobby Cannavale.

Don't see it if expressionistic drama isn't your thing. You do not like stylized direction.

Also This is a production to cherish. The production is stunning—even as you walk into the theatre. Great use is made of the Armory's space. Bobby Cannavale is giving the performance of his career. The set and lighting design are exquisite. If you like your theatre on the serious side, do not miss "The Hairy Ape."... Read more Read less

See it if Want to see unique piece of theatrecraft on huge scale, & can accept that at times the spectacle is bigger than the story. You like O'Neill.

Don't see it if Don't like expressionist/avant-garde, want realism in plot & acting styles, want story to move you emotionally. Painful seats/lots o'steps.

Also I found this thrilling from the moment I entered this cavernous, astonishing hall to walking back out into the Armory lobby afterward and hearing people buzzing with excitement. But then, I'm a complete sucker for creative staging/direction and master craft. I love visual spectacle and this is certainly that. I will say that while Bobby Cannavale does have the physical stature and energy for the role, his acting is not particularly , hmmmm, nuanced. If you don't like Bobby C., you won't like him in this - I find him much the same in everything I've seen him do. He gives this one his all, though, and works very hard. I think if you want to see one Really Big Show, this is pretty mind-blowing. What it isn't is a deep drama that will take you through a range of emotions. What it is is a thrilling experience that you will remember.... Read more Read less

See it if You like expert ensemble actors led by Bobby Cannavale in the timeless story of man's search for his self-worth. Do not miss this!

Don't see it if You are looking for a happy ending. Do not like modern interpretations in a moving steel stage set.

Also Eugene O'Neill is an American treasure. This play is full of thought- provoking ideas of haves v have- nots.
The Armory production is an engineering marvel and every actor is precise and amazing. My favorite drama of the season.... Read more Read less

See it if You like good theatre

Don't see it if You don't want to be stimulated to think

See it if you want to see a superb example of environmental theater or are a fan of Bobby Cannavale.

Don't see it if you are not interested in exciting revivals.

See it if you want to be a awed by a really unusual staging, which makes up for the rather banal plot. Acting is just so-so, but very physical.

Don't see it if you are not an O'Neill fan, and no amount of modern and unusual staging will make up for that. You cannot climb stairs; hate uncomfy seats.

Also I'm afraid all the interesting and unique staging could not make me enjoy this play. Sorry, intellectuals and theater buffs, but it didn't grab me at all.... Read more Read less

See it if wild ride is on your bucket list, surprise after surprise from tableau to man in the moon balloon, TheVISIT's yellowShoes, & donut turntable

Don't see it if you can't be surprised any more, dislike O'Neill, can't stand examining class issues, don't like monkey fur, can't climb stairs....Go anyway

Also Classic day of unforgettable theatre in the other worldly Park Ave Armory, a show in itself...... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see O'Neil's polemic screed against classism starring Bobby Cannavale as the working man who can't get no respect.

Don't see it if You can't sit on a hard plastic seat for 90 minutes. You think classics should be done in a traditional way.

Also The eye-popping set is amazing and enhances the impact of the story.

See it if This is a masterful staging of a classic, with sets and blocking that will grab you and not let go. Don't miss it if you can help it.

Don't see it if you have a problem with uncomfy plastic seats or you don't like stylized classic existential work.

See it if You want to see a brilliant use of a space. A beautifully conceived set married to the assets of the actors. It's a well tuned event.

Don't see it if You dont like O'Neill/fusty old fashioned plays with facile symbolism w a brush with the depression and unions. Women conceptually reed thin

Also If I hadn't been so bored I would say that this is a must see. I still think it is a must see. I was tired and I don't like O'Neill so it might just have been me. It was brilliant and the acting dynamic but somehow the core seemed empty. It never struck a reality nerve. It never touched me at all. But the staging---oh my. And the commitment of the actors working in brilliant synchronization. The images--like a great Abercrombie and Fitch ad. This was the best use of the Armory since Branagh's MacBeth. The stadium seats, no padding but roomy were not uncomfortable--but there is no easy way to leave and there was significant squirming in the audience but appreciative applause and a few standing.... Read more Read less