Initiative (The Public)

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 11/16/25 at 10:25pm

Surprised there isn't already a thread for this.

A world premiere five hour play from an emerging playwright might seem daunting, but boy did this hit the mark for me.

Set during the first W. Bush administartion the show follows seven teenagers between 2000-2004, most of them outcasts, some of whom form a Dungeons & Dragons group.

Too say more gives away the magic of the play very much in debt to Annie Baker but also in homage to the literary work of Salinger, Fitzgerald and Steinbeck with a dash of Tolken.

If not for Liberation this would be in first position for me regarding next years Puilitzer conversation, it is a painful and funny and aching rendering of young people at a time when it seemed the world was going to end.

I can not recommend it more highly.

[Falsettolands]

Posted: 11/16/25 at 11:21pm

I'm very much on the fence about seeing this. It looks interesting, but five hours is such a commitment. Will need to hear more word of mouth.

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 11/16/25 at 11:30pm

it is actually closer to 4hr and 30min, 3 acts at 90 minute each with intermissions 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 11/17/25 at 12:28am

I've heard mixed things on this one.  It's a purposefully quick run for the Public.  It isn't selling well with it's young and green writer and director partners in work, and life.