The Reckless Season

See it if you are interested in issues faced by military veterans, drug users, fractured families; fine ensemble acting in an intimate space.

Don't see it if you aren't interested in the above; don't enjoy intimate productions with limited space and scenery,

See it if You want to see a depressing dark drama in a great small space. The action is right in front of you.

Don't see it if You are looking for something light

Also This was the show I was most looking forward to seeing this week and I was disappointed by it. When I read the description I thought this had a chance to be one of those life changing plays. The idea of the story is great but writing is just ok and could have been so much better. The actors looked perfect, you could not cast the show any better looks wise but all of the performances were flat. Not one was great, so you could say it was a balanced cast. The character of Flynn the drug dealer was too over the top for me.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see some important topics (PTSD, suicide, drugs) portrayed by a very good cast in a well staged production.

Don't see it if You want fluff or a plot without some improbable choices.

See it if You like young, small ensemble shows focusing on what happens when things fall apart.

Don't see it if You can't stand weak writing.

See it if you want to explore the psycho-social interface of PTSD, self-medication/drug addiction and surrender to loss of control over your life

Don't see it if you cannot tolerate emotional discomfort from violent language, actions and themes, and graphic display of drug abuse and low self esteem

See it if If solid acting and depiction of three dysfunctional families holds your interest.

Don't see it if You need an explanation for the dysfunction and you don't think "new" life is a solution to problems.

Also The author seems to want to make a connection between military PTSD and dysfunction, but it is apparent that these individuals were broken by circumstances that went well beyond their military experience and preceded it. (Some of the broken characters had no military connection.)The use of a "happy" ending is definitely out of place.... Read more Read less

See it if you like plays that are intense but at the same time can make you laugh.

Don't see it if you are not comfortable letting your emotions take over

See it if you're interested in topics such as PTSD, drugs, suicide, dysfunctional families. You enjoy intense dramas with a few funny moments

Don't see it if you don't enjoy realistic intense drama with violence, screaming and cursing. You don't enjoy a close-up intimate setting in a small theater

Also It's definitely worth seeing. The acting is excellent. The small intimate theater puts you right up close to the action & drama.... Read more Read less

See it if Like well acted ( very) intense dramas.

Don't see it if Looking for light night out.Warning: deals with difficult issues of drug addictions, post stress disorder and general inability to function

See it if well written, conversational. relevant issues to today

Don't see it if you are sensitive to drug issues and ptsd

See it if You like shows that deals with depression, drug use, and veterans. Can be hilarious and sad at the same time.

Don't see it if You want light entertainments. There are several depressing & scary moments during the show.

See it if You're interested in how multiple mental health conditions can affect different types of people. You don't judge drug users.

Don't see it if You want a large scale production and tight script. You prefer lighter plays and don't like dark comedy.

See it if you need a reminder about what PTSD, drug use and suicide are about

Don't see it if you are looking for entertainment

Also I do not know of any people with issues as portrayed in this show but I know they do exist. While the subject matter is important, this play just didn't do it for me... Read more Read less

See it if you like family dramas that are realistic, but a little off-center.

Don't see it if you can't laugh in the face of dark topics (like suicide, drug abuse, death). You need everything to end happily, this is open-ended.

Also Kudos to playwright Lauren Ferebee for approaching topics we've seen onstage before from a somewhat different angle -- e.g., drug abuse, suicide, returning home from war, loss of a loved one, PTSD, loneliness, and hope. Esp the musings of the drug dealer aren't things you usually see onstage. It's an ambitious work!

The set deserves a shout-out: It's awesome. It seems well thought-out but standard for 85% of the show. Then in a late, trippy scene the whole set gets re-arranged & in the final scene it completely changes. Wasn't expecting that & it was impressive for a small production.

For some reason, the main character (video game-playing brother) didn't draw out my emotions. I felt bad for him in my head, but didn't feel as much in my heart. The woman character especially & the older (war vet) brother both tugged at my heart strings more. Nice work by the actor playing the drug dealer, he just wasn't as sympathetic a character for obvious reasons.... Read more Read less

See it if You want a well-written show presenting difficulties with no easy answers.

Don't see it if You want something light

See it if you want to sit through 2 hours of angst with some funny, sincere moments eclipsed by a lot of unnecessary panting and shouting

Don't see it if plays where nothing happens (neither plot-wise nor character-growth wise) don't appeal, nor do plays with potential that still need work.

Also I would have rated it a 70 after the first act but I disliked the second act so much that I found myself wishing I had left at intermission.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to support well-meaning young theater artists.

Don't see it if The writing is a bit scattered, spread out over several subjects that it doesn't quite tie into the dramatic action.

See it if Nicely played story that we've seen before, perhaps. Sincere vigorous acting. Warm tense drama of people struggling. Creative touches.

Don't see it if Somewhat uncomfortable chairs would be hurting your back a bit.

See it if You like shows with great acting and a thoughtful plot

Don't see it if You don't like realistic topics, edgy discussions

See it if See flesh and blood characters portrayed with heart by talented cast; deep exploration of despair faced by drug seekers and their community

Don't see it if You want light entertainment; unfiltered realism or flawed characters (i.e., people with weaknesses) is not your thing; at times loud noises

See it if You want to see real, flawed characters trying to take control of the dark comedy that is modern life.

Don't see it if You are not open to probing the pyche of soldiers and are inhibited when talking about death and funerals.

See it if You like edgy and engrossing plays that deal with family, and war vets.

Don't see it if You do not like dark plays.

See it if You love to see a really great play. Perfectly written and acted. Smart directing.

Don't see it if No reason not to see it.

See it if you want to support a small theater company with talented actors! I took a grumbling 16 year old and she changed her mind by the end. :)

Don't see it if off Broadway is not your thing. If you are expecting a glitzy theater experience.

See it if I don't think I could recommend this play to anyone in its current state.

Don't see it if The experience is like watching an acting class at the early stages of working on a play. Work that would be thrown out for better choices.

Also I guess I'd give the actors an A for effort because they don't phone it in. But they sure are dialing wrong numbers. I'm on the fence trying to decide if the biggest disappointment is the writing or the directing. I guess although the writing is clunky and preachy and unbelievable, the real problem is the direction. Either he has told his actors to scream their way through two hours or they started screaming on their own and he didn't make them stop. Either way, the directing style can only be described as Angry Kabuki. A LOT of hand gesturing from all four actors. A lot of unnecessary screaming throughout. Any chance of a realistic moment is thrown out the window in favor of mugging and overacting. This is an intimate space and as an audience member I felt assaulted. Sadly, I think in other hands the play with these actors could have been bearable but this director missed every mark.... Read more Read less