Initiative (The Public)

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.

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

I really dug this when I saw it this weekend. It is a marathon but I’ve seen full one acts that feel longer than each act of this did. 

There’s some really beautiful character writing and moments. The D&D games are fun. Ensemble flows together nicely. 

I’d also love to read the script/see this again in a future life. 

It was sold out online but not everyone showed. It did get that early extension though so I hope it finds an audience.

Saw Vincentelli there so she’s probably reviewing it for the Times - opens Thursday if I’m not mistaken. 

Updated On: 11/17/25 at 05:12 AM

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "theatergoer3 said: "I really dugthis when I saw it this weekend. It is a marathonbut I’ve seen full one acts that feel longer than each act of this did.

There’s some really beautiful character writing and moments. The D&D games are fun. Ensemble flows together nicely.

I’d also love to read the script/see this again in a future life.
It was sold out online but not everyone showed. It did get that early extension though so I hope it finds an audience.

Saw Vincentellithere so she’s probably reviewing it for the Times - opens Thursday if I’m not mistaken."

"

malcs98 said: "I'm seeing it on Wednesday (technically I was invited by the Public) but i'm very curious it says in the content warning for the show it says it contains nudity? I'm just wondering how much is there?"

Big feature in the Times - 

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/theater/initiative-else-went-public-theater.html

raddersons said: "Absolutely stellar reviews. Very exciting.It’s on TDF for a bunch of dates. Grab them while you can.

Holdren’s Vulture review:https://www.vulture.com/article/theater-review-initiative-else-went-public-theater.html"

Holdren’s Vulture review is really nice and captured a lot of what I loved about this show.