Swing Joined: 3/21/12
I have time in NYC this weekend for one of the above. (And I will be able to see The Inheritance Part 2 at a later date if choose Part 1). What does everyone suggest?
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/2/15
Broadway Star Joined: 10/6/18
Slave Play. I got infinitely more out of the 2 hours and $39 spent than I did from 7 hours and $100 for The Inheritance.
Swing Joined: 10/21/18
A Christmas Carol. Seriously. It’s the best out of the 3 by far. Enjoy!
Inheritance by far. A much superior piece. You can read the published work. (I doubt Slave Play will be so legitimized?) The funny thing is that I enjoyed SP until I pondered it afterwards & then became quite angry about it. (An earlier posting about it that I shared here got completely erased by BW - so I dare utter the same "r*****"word of condemnation I expressed about it?) Inheritance caused me to want more while watching it, but left the theatre feeling so grateful for the experience.
Updated On: 11/24/19 at 07:53 PM
I just did a marathon of The Inheritance last week and while I enjoyed it, I found it to be incredibly flawed. I honestly think I enjoyed reading it more than watching it. It’s self indulgent and honestly doesn’t have a lot to say about the things that supposedly make it so “important.” Solid and entertaining. I will say though, the last scene of Part 1 was absolutely breathtaking.
Slave Play on the other hand FLOORED me. Moving, hilarious and really made you dig within yourself. I saw it back in September and I still haven’t stopped thinking about it. One of the best things I’ve seen in years.
If I had to pick, I would absolutely go with Slave Play because it’s that important piece of theatre that The Inheritance wishes it was.
But I also enjoyed The Inheritance, so you really can’t go wrong with either.
Swing Joined: 3/21/12
wow--now I know why I'm torn between the two.
I haven't seen Slave Play, but I have seen The Inheritance and thought it was spellbinding from beginning to end. The acting is on another planet, and if you're only seeing Part 1 then my advice is not to read anything because you run the risk of having the final scene spoiled.
Stand-by Joined: 8/13/08
I enjoyed seeing both. Can you see Slave Play this weekend, and Inheritance part 1 in the future? Sounds like you have time later to see part 2 of Inheritance, but with Hangmen going into the Golden, it may be good to prioritize seeing Slave Play first.
Leading Actor Joined: 11/18/13
Broadway Star Joined: 12/2/06
Slave Play, hands down.
I found the Inheritance to be trite, over-indulgent, mostly over- and poorly- acted, way too long and drawn out, and really surface level when it thinks it's delving deep into something special. Direction is spectacular and the final scene of Part 1 is great - those are the only good things I can say.
Slave Play, on the other hand, is deep and meaningful, brilliantly written, has several fantastic performances, and breezes by.
I don't know anything about you, your background or what you're in the mood for but for what it's worth I am a cis-gendered, white, gay male.
Stand-by Joined: 3/29/19
Both of these shows seem to be matters of personal taste so you're probably gonna just have to go with your gut. For me, they were both flawed shows that have "something to say." Nothing groundbreaking in either and I imagine each will stir up conversation while they're around and then fade away.
While I have some tough criticisms of The Inheritance, I'm glad I saw it, and given the means and opportunity I would actually see it again. Despite the length and drudgery of some of the scenes, I'd rather go back for the great moments in that show than the other. Of the two, I'll remember Inheritance longer and think back on it's story more. In five years time if someone mentions Slave Play I'll remember that I saw it and that's about it.
So really, see both if you can, or see neither, you wont be kicking yourself later either way.
Broadway Star Joined: 11/10/14
I would say it depends on your interests- if you are an older gay white male- like me- you might be more interested in a play about the AIDS days- and issues that have affected gay men, especially, over the last generation or so.....I personally loved the show and felt enriched by it- if you are interested in racial issues- and how they have affected the internal working of the races- and the show sounds very provocative- that might be a great fit.
DCDrama2 said: "Both of these shows seem to be matters of personal taste so you're probably gonna just have to go with your gut. For me, they were both flawed shows that have "something to say." Nothing groundbreaking in either and I imagine each will stir up conversation while they're around and then fade away.
While I have some tough criticisms of The Inheritance, I'm glad I saw it, and given the means and opportunityI would actually see it again. Despite the length and drudgery of some of the scenes, I'd rather go back for the great moments in that show than the other. Of the two, I'll remember Inheritance longer and think back on it's story more. Infive years time if someone mentions Slave Play I'll remember that I saw it and that's about it.
So really, see both if you can, or see neither, you wont be kicking yourself later either way."
Yes to all of this.
n2nbaby said: "I just did a marathon of The Inheritance last week and while I enjoyed it, I found it to be incredibly flawed. I honestly think I enjoyed reading it more than watching it. It’s self indulgent and honestly doesn’t have a lot to say about the things that supposedly make it so “important.” Solid and entertaining. I will say though, the last scene of Part 1 was absolutely breathtaking.
Slave Play on the other hand FLOORED me. Moving, hilarious and really made you dig within yourself. I saw it back in September and I still haven’t stopped thinking about it. One of the best things I’ve seen in years.
If I had to pick, I would absolutely go with Slave Play because it’s that important piece of theatre that The Inheritance wishes it was.
But I also enjoyed The Inheritance, so you really can’t go wrong with either."
Exactly.
Agree with everyone on this thread - it's a matter of personal taste. I have only read The Inheritance, and watched Slave Play. For me, The Slave Play will forever be an unforgettable experience. I have never seen such devastating beauty on stage before - it aims really really high, and damn near achieves it. Difficult for me to compare the two, but I don't think you'll go "wrong" by having seen TSP.
If you want to see a consistently well crafted and brilliant play, Slave Play.
If you want to see an epic and emotionally powerful play (sometimes in the best way possible, sometimes by overt manipulation) that is sometimes a staggering work of genius but is all too often shockingly bad, The Inheritance.
Broadway Star Joined: 5/8/19
The Inheritance. Saw it a year ago, and I can't wait to see it again first week of January.
Swing Joined: 3/21/12
Thanks to everyone for your insightful remarks! (esp BWAY Baby2!) I'm going for The Inheritance.
GaryinLA said: "Thanks to everyone for your insightful remarks! (espBWAY Baby2!) I'm going for The Inheritance."
We just saw both of these shows last weekend, and while we liked Slave Play and would see it again, we really liked The Inheritance. The 6.5 hours flew by, like binge-watching a highly engaging show on Netflix that you wish wouldn't end. We laughed and we cried, and would happily have spent even more time with those characters.
+1 on the Inheritance. I've seen both plays here on Broadway and between the two, I'd pick The Inheritance to watch again. Sure it's not perfect and it has its flaws but some scenes definitely blew me away.
Enjoy part 1 this weekend!
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