Absolutely see Downstate. One of the best new plays I've seen in a long time. I would also strongly recommend Leopoldstadt, over the other plays you have on your list (though I have never seen or read Ohio or Riverside)
If you're the type who loves Into the Woods and needs to see every major production, or every major cast, then you must see this. If you're the type who loves Into the Woods but you don't feel compelled to see a solid but unimpressive production with a great but very uneven cast... you may not need to see this one. I am glad I saw it... but it's not some visionary new take, or a revelatory cast, or bringing much new to it (mostly I'd say for it that it finds humor in new places, and didn't manage humor that has been there in the text since the beginning, which is both good and not good).
If you've never seen Top Dog/Under Dog... it's a play I respect more than love, but it's an interesting play, and this revival provides just phenomenal acting from the two stars.
Strange Loop is a must, and Kimberly Akimbo is definitely what I'd recommend (i saw it off-bway, I'm told it now feels like an off-bway musical somehow on broadway, but hey, whatever, that's where it's playing now)
For what it's worth, I have not heard great things from friends who saw MJ. |
