The Purple Lights of Joppa Illinois

See it if you have endless patience for sloooow exposition. And for not-to-be-believed plot points and inconsistent characterizations.

Don't see it if you want the option to leave; it's performed with no intermission so you're held hostage. An unpleasant hour and a half, with little payoff.

See it if you like something slightly unusual but easy to get into, family & redemption stories, secrets revealed, characters not encountered before

Don't see it if you need everything explained right up front, have trouble with characters who may have done bad things, don't like yelling or silences

See it if You like a 1 hour 26 minute show to feel like twice that length. Or like slow moving shows with 2 minutes of a psychotic violent episode

Don't see it if You want to stay awake, as the story is very slow-moving and feels like something a kid would write.

See it if You like shows about mental illness,broken families and rebellious teens Are OK with criminal situations Like to feel uncomfortable

Don't see it if You dislike foul language Are under age 16 Find severe mental illness uncomfortable to watch Dislike hideous crimes

See it if Adam Rapp is the greatest playwright of all time. I would score all of his plays on here above a 90. See this show!!!

Don't see it if If you are looking for a musical. I can't think of any reason not to see this show. Wish I could write more.

See it if You like quirky stories about psychotic people

Don't see it if You aren't open to mental health issues

See it if You want to see an unconventional family drama with good acting. Story is a bit episodic where it should be organic.

Don't see it if You are squeamish about mental illness.

See it if Like me, you love Adam Rapp and his sorely damaged characters who while unfamiliar, are recognizable as human to the core.

Don't see it if You want action and an upbeat plot involving "normal" people who don't have bad days or feel frustrated or think about killing themselves.

See it if you're interested in a gut-wrenching play about a man with severe mental illness.

Don't see it if you're looking for something light.

See it if you are a fan of Adam Rapp's work and enjoy intense, character-driven plays.

Don't see it if you prefer plot-driven plays or are uncomfortable with damaged characters in extreme emotional states.

See it if you like theater that requires patience as the story unfolds. You're expected to wait and learn what the characters are all about.

Don't see it if you don't want to engage in the story of troubled people.

See it if You are ready to test your own perceptions and values - it allows you to consider your own sense of risk, courage, fear, and honesty

Don't see it if You are in the mood for something traditional, comforting or light

Also Tense short play concerns a man who struggles to function while living with serious mental illness. He is trying to connect with a teen daughter that has never known him because of a horrible accident that occurred during a psychotic episode. Her well intentioned but edgy girlfriend is along for protection. Likewise his over involved nurse is there for containment. We watch the four characters manage a tense afternoon of introductions.

Solid writing & Strong performances... Read more Read less

See it if like slow building stories with intense emotional payoffs. beautiful performances from the cast

Don't see it if you're not patient or want a lot of action

See it if Heavy situations involving mental illness.

Don't see it if Have no patience with a slow pace. Authors directing their own work.

See it if You enjoy stories about people, family, relationships, told by a great cast.

Don't see it if You prefer more fast-paced stories.

See it if You like well drawn edgy characters

Don't see it if you only like mainstream entertainment

See it if You like quirky characters dealing with mental illness.

Don't see it if You don't appreciate stereotyped characters inserted into a play to create unnecessary drama that could have arisen in a more authentic way.

See it if You're an Adam Rapp completist; you want a character study with uncommon characters in uncommon scenarios.

Don't see it if You don't want a play that almost feels like a documentary. It's less of an escape and more of a reminder of cold reality.

See it if you like small theaters

Don't see it if you are closed minded

See it if you enjoy great acting and the promise of redemption.

Don't see it if you don't like blood (sorry spoiler!) or language!

See it if You are looking for a fresh night of theatre. Heart wrenching and endearing story.

Don't see it if You want a light story. It's dark but not the usual Rapp experience.

See it if You love a show that plays with emotions and leaves you wanting for more

Don't see it if You hate live plays.

See it if You enjoy great acting

Don't see it if You don't like does with titles that don't really mean anything.

See it if You like quirky character dramas about mental illness.

Don't see it if You don't appreciate stereotyped characters inserted into a plot to create drama that could have come organically.

See it if You like character driven shows. Really takes its time getting there but a fairly rich portrait is painted by the end. Worth the wait to me.

Don't see it if You're looking for Little Miss Sunshine. These characters are all broken and you have to work at times to even find something in common.