What is THE show to see OFF BROADWAY right now?

[jbm2]

Posted: 6/1/11 at 3:55am

Coming back to the city this weekend, I have seen most of the Broadway shows, but only a few OFF BROADWAY...
would love to know the shows not to miss.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 6/1/11 at 4:38am

If you are able, I HIGHLY recommend "Cradle and All", produced by Manhattan Theatre Club at City Center.

It is directed by Sam Buntrock, who helmed the Sunday in the Park revival and stars Maria Dizzia, who was Tony nommed for The Vibrator Play and Greg Keller (of 33 Variations).

It is a very interesting concept.

The show takes place in Brooklyn Heights, act one telling the story of a childless couple where the woman has gotten the urge to have a baby and the man does not want to be a father and act two depicting their across the hall neighbors, who are the parents of an infant daughter and struggling with adjusting to life as parents. (Dizzia and Keller portray both couples, who are DRASTICALLY different.)

The action of both acts take place simultaneously (there is an interaction between the two couples that provides the time reference).

I was most impressed by the scenic design of Neil Patel. You have an incredibly detailed and realistic forced-perspective box set, complete with roof. EVERYTHING is practical (working) on stage - working sinks, working ovens, lamps, slamming doors, solid walls. The set change to the across the hall apartment during intermission was rather loud and performed behind a curtain, but with such a complete set, I wasn't sure what to expect. Let's just say that when the curtain opened to reveal the other apartment, there was VERY well deserved applause.

[Luscious]

Posted: 6/1/11 at 10:29am

Updated On: 6/2/11 at 10:29 AM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/1/11 at 11:08am

I saw it again Friday night and it was so much better than when I saw it in March. Perhaps the effect was in my mind, but it seemed like March was a preview performance and Friday's was a post-opening celebration where everything is working smooth as silk.

At the same time, I would avoid the thread Luscious linked. I know it wasn't the intention, but at Sleep No More last week I kept thinking what a disservice the spoilers are to the experience.

[Luv2goToShows]

Posted: 6/1/11 at 4:09pm

Lysistrata Jones, fun show!

There are comments about it on another thread

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1031908#4151284


Also heard some good things about Jump at NWS. I am interested in checking out The Shaggs but haven't heard much about it.
Updated On: 6/1/11 at 04:09 PM

[bandit964]

Posted: 6/2/11 at 8:02am

Sleep No More

Freud's Last Session

[joegt]

Posted: 6/2/11 at 10:07am

By The Way, Meet Vera Stark at Second Stage was excellent. The night I was there it was packed with a very vocal audience (in a good way, not talking on their phones). Great performances from some people I have not seen before and an interesting topic. I did not know what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/2/11 at 10:25am

It looks like "Unnatural Acts" is poised to be quite good, if not thought-provoking. Anyone heard any buzz?

[Patti4President]

Posted: 6/2/11 at 10:40am

Intellectual Homosexual's Guide at The Public and King Lear at BAM were excellent.

[Leia947]

Posted: 6/2/11 at 10:55am

I really enjoyed "Play Dead." Todd Robbins is highly entertaining. Creepy and funny at the same time.

[joegt]

Posted: 6/2/11 at 11:24am

I went to a reading of Unnatural Acts a few months ago and I enjoyed it. I am looking forward to seeing it fully staged. I hope the cast of the reading is in the show because they were terrific.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 6/2/11 at 1:58pm

Hm. I've not heard about "Cradle and All," but the concept sounds interesting. Is it any good though?

[kmbrlee8252]

Posted: 6/3/11 at 2:31am

I saw By The Way, Meet Vera Stark recently and loved it! Really funny, unique story. Great performances by Sanaa Lathan and Karen Olivo. I absolutely recommend seeing it before it closes.

[sskeats2]

Posted: 6/3/11 at 3:34am

My off broadway vote. Closes in about a week. Catch it before you can't.

[bertandrew]

Posted: 6/3/11 at 10:40pm

Lysistrata Jones. Run!

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 6/3/11 at 11:45pm

I'd recommend Vera Stark, The Illusion, and Cradle and All.