Generation NYZ

See it if you are interested in some of today's NYC youth: all 7 have experienced times of not belonging and now courageously tell their stories.

Don't see it if today's problems are of no interest to you or you don't want to spend your free time thinking about them.

Also This is one of the most hopeful and encouraging theater I have seen in a while. These 7 actors are very brave telling about how they felt weak and not belonging at times of their young lives. But the stories are also hopeful in that they all found ways to overcome their hardships (homelessness, frequent moves, immigration, family drug abuse and violence, weight problems, bullying, rejection and much more) or their questioning who they are (gay and gender identity). I wish every New Yorker would see this show to get more aware and involved with young New Yorkers! These kids are amazing! Highest recommendations!... Read more Read less

See it if You want to think about the migrant experience in a new way, told by amazing teenagers. It's a small, but very efficient production.

Don't see it if Political theater is too much for you right now.

Also I found the whole setup amazing. The fact that the actors have the script in front of them gave it a feeling of "this is how we write our history". The characters are so well chosen and they make a lasting impression on you.
It's an ode to New York, too.... Read more Read less

See it if you would like to hear firsthand from a wide range of young New Yorkers what their lives are like.

Don't see it if you only want to see a play: these young performers have dramatic stories, but traditional drama is not the form they use to tell them.

Also This is the most encouraging theater piece I have seen in a while -- hopeful for the future of New York & for the future of the arts. Most of these 7 young performers were involved in theater or another art before they came together to make this community choral piece about the lives of young New Yorkers today. All of them are involved in theater now, & I hope they remain so. The rest of us need to hear what they are saying. Most of the performers were either themselves born outside of the mainland US, or are the children of parents who came from outside the mainland. All of them have felt what it is to be Other. But I think I express the feeling of most people in the audience when I say that, for the duration of the performance, they & we are only US. Now we have to make sure that this spirit lasts longer than the length of the show. But it felt like an exhilarating, hope-filled step forward.... Read more Read less

See it if you want an extremely moving experience from 7 young people who have experienced the immigrant dilemma of today. WOW! Powerful!

Don't see it if you are looking for a linear play.This is a reading by those who experienced what you are hearing. Just give in and see it.

See it if You interested and in young adults telling their stories of their struggles of migrating or surviving living in the boroughs if NYC.

Don't see it if You are not into documentaries of young adults of various cultures telling their stories of over coming racism & fitting in NYC.

See it if you like to connect with or learn from the personal stories of others.

Don't see it if you need a lot of movement and variety to hold your interest.

Also I found this to be an enthralling and moving experience. Such a great representation of the people that not only make up the city, but different pockets of the country also. A great lesson in diversity.... Read more Read less

See it if A creative look at the diversity of today’s youth. A captivating experience for both the actors and audience. This show has legs!

Don't see it if If you expect to see a traditional linear story or if you perfer musicals .

See it if You'd appreciate a really heartwarming performance.

Don't see it if You don't appreciate the wonderful mosaic that comprises NYC.

See it if You are interested in the problems and perspectives of immigrant youth in the city

Don't see it if Reading from scripts, plays that are basically just broken up monologues, although they are monologues by a number of people, annoy you

Also Although these monologues are apparently the real stories of the kids (ranging in ages 20 to 24) who say them and they do not sound like recited lines although the kids are reading, in some cases there is a lack of emotion. The actors, although young, are looking back on their childhood and teen years and to a certain extent are intellectualizing and distancing themselves from the lived experience.
This is necessary work for an adult but at the same time did not give the full drama of the emotion the kids must have been feeling at the time they faced the problems that they discuss.
In some cases I would have liked more details of their experiences, especially in their feelings about their relationships This show could be expanded by another half hour to an hour.
The walking around, although I understand the symbolism behind it, and that it gave the audience and actors needed one minute breaks for this no intermission show, made it a confusing to follow the actors' stories... Read more Read less

See it if You like honest stories told by the people who lived them. The 7 actors are all brave and thought-provoking.

Don't see it if You need multiple stimuli at the same time. If Wicked is your type of show, "Generation NYZ" might not be.

See it if If you like to hear about young people's lives today, from the people themselves.

Don't see it if You find young people too underdeveloped to be interesting.

Also Although it is scripted and well-rehearsed, the stories of this diverse group of young people are believable and affecting, having been crafted from the material of their own lives. There is a common pattern to the show (clapping, marching about) — I have also seen a previous edition — but the people and the stories change from version to version. I enjoyed it — very well-paced.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to spend 75 minutes with 7 NYC kids who tell their stories of growing up in a society that has a hard time “ understanding “ them

Don't see it if You live under a rock and really don’t care about the problems that most youngsters have to face growing up in today’s world.

See it if The hard knock lives of true NY youth of many cultures, identities, and aspirations. Epic journeys of growth in few years.

Don't see it if Dislike diverse youth or true stories. Non dramatic readings of their own lives without props.

Also Free ticket from Show Score.

See it if You are interested in real stories about vulnerable New York youth.

Don't see it if Want to see a light, easy going play

See it if You want to listen to story of seven young adults from different backgrounds grow up in rough neighborhoods in NY tell their own story

Don't see it if You do not like barebone theater, not interested in real life, coming age story, not fan young adult work

Also I liked the fact that the stories are told first hand, all the challenges, obstacles are faced wt determination by this amazing young group of New Yorkers. We might be passing by them on the street but listening to them, makes you stop and think wt all the immigration, bullying, broken family issues are everywhere. Just let them be heard.... Read more Read less

See it if you want an honest exploration of the lives of these young people, sometimes intensely emotional and sometimes surprisingly humorous

Don't see it if you're not interested in the issues facing young people, especially in poor and.or immigrant communities

Also I had the good fortune to be sitting among a group of high school students and it added alot to hear and see their reactions (gasps, cheering, etc) to what was being presented onstage.... Read more Read less

See it if want to hear what life was like for some 20 year olds who grew up under difficult circumstances in NYC.

Don't see it if don't like listening to scripts read on stage; don't like documentaries of any sort

Also I found the format very interesting and creative - basically, the seven cast members tell their stories collectively bouncing back and forth from one to another. They were very well rehearsed with each others stories. I think this format gave a sense of action to the show even though the cast sat still for most of the time.

The stories themselves tugged at me during and after the performance and yet there was a sense of them all feeling uplifted by appearing on stage. They are brave and it was nice to hear they are mostly in a better place after going through this process.

There was a talk-back the night I went and Ping Chong who is credited for creating this type of program was in the audience.

I saw this show at the La MaMa Theater in NYC in Feb 2019.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in hearing young voices, stories of immigrants, and want to feel optimistic for the future of the US.

Don't see it if you want something more polished and produced. Some of the 7 young people are more effective story tellers than others. A bit repetitive.

See it if stories of GenZ immigrants facing & coping with harsh realities of life in NYC area. Bullying, racism,family pressure, gender issues & more

Don't see it if expect polished production; have no compassion; have difficulty with accents; don't like the idea of performers reading from scripts.

Also The 7 performers told their personal stories which made the production so touching. They are courageous, focused, spirited & truly admirable young people.... Read more Read less

See it if You appreciate hearing the stories of millennials from diverse and difficult backgrounds speak in short monologues. Sad & Without self pity

Don't see it if You want something light and action packed with a fancy set

See it if Everyone should see! You are a human being interested in the trials we face individually and collectively. You care about your neighbors.

Don't see it if Gender identity, racism, bullying, parental abuse/neglect and overcoming adversity are issues that you think are “fake news”.

Also Do. Not. Miss. This.

See it if You want a brave glimpse into the stories and complications of a diverse group of young people in NYC.

Don't see it if You are looking for traditional theater, can not empathize or under the misconception that youth lacks meaningful contribution.

See it if If you like real life stories about the struggles of immigrants that come to america for a better life. Beautifully done!

Don't see it if If you are homophobic or have a problem with diversity

See it if Like docu-theatre that's scripted/told by Gen Z cast re their real-life immigrant experiences in the (non-Manhattan) areas of NYC. STUNNING.

Don't see it if Cast reads bits of their stories while seated in front of projections. Some accents thick. There's repetitive action. It's emotional/moving.

Also This is a unique and special theatrical work. I was immediately drawn into the lives of the late teens/20-something cast, not all of whom have theatre experience or training. They reveal what it has been like for them to grow up in New York as children of immigrant families, and how they've learned to love themselves while navigating through family dramas, bullying, poverty.

I was moved to tears at several junctures. At times I wanted to get up out of my seat and hug these brave young people.

That being said, there are some elements of the production which could be improved. The hand claps between "scenes" start to dull and the calling out of the years needs to be more carefully edited. Minor points, all. Their stories are the strength here and the cast will draw you in.

This is very worthy theatre.

Saw this at La MaMa ((Main stage upstairs) end of January 2019.... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in learning first hand about Gen Z young people's lives as immigrants growing up in NYC.

Don't see it if You don't like a performance about NYC immigrant lives.