r/offbroadwayNYC

[removed]

I want to start by saying I actually liked this play. I’ve never seen these types of characters on stage, and it’s a very “of the moment” show—it references things that have happened just this year or last year. At its core, the play is really about loneliness. Going in, I didn’t expect to sympathize with any of these characters, but we’ve all felt alone at some point. I also liked that it ended on a note of hope (kind of), which wasn't quite what I expected from a show called Degenerates.

The acting was also really strong. It has got to be exhausting for the two leads to go through that emotionally every day, and Christopher Dylan White as Target was incredible: brave and often subtle.

That said, I think a play is the wrong medium for this script.

As someone who loves theatre, sees a lot of it, and likes when it takes risks, I still kept thinking this would work better as a movie. The entire show, I found myself imagining how it could be cut and directed as a film, especially since so much of it takes place online.

As writers, we’re told to show, not tell. There was plenty of showing, but also quite a bit of telling. The spoken stage directions stood out to me, and by the third act, I found them quite grating. Those directions would probably feel more natural on film where they could be played out entirely visually.

The other issue is the length. At 2 hours and 40 minutes, it’s too long, and the single intermission is in an awkward spot. The third act felt like a slog (despite being the shortest act), especially starting with about 10 minutes of listening to a recorded conversation.

Also, if you aren't familiar with incel “culture” and vocabulary, the first act is going to be tough. This is another area where film would help with world-building. For example, Miller living with his parents doesn't need to be a reveal through dialogue. Also, if we could actually see Target’s apartment and how isolated they are (stacks of Amazon boxes, copious delivery bags, etc) it would be a bit more effective than just being told they never leave their apartment.

Not feeling well and giving my ticket away to anyone who'd like it.

The one playing at Cherry Lane theater. Was it good?
Please any info if you’ve seen it

Hi all!

Just saw Slam Frank - still figuring out my thoughts on it but for those who have seen the show - >!does anyone know what the Hebrew on Margot's shirt says when she comes out for bows? I can't find it online anywhere and am so curious.!<

saw this tonight and was incredibly underwhelmed. I’m not sure if anyone has seen its earlier run last year downtown, but I was so excited about it because both the playwright and the director are both working actors and I wanted to support.

man, was this show confusing and a torture to sit through. the characters are largely unlikeable, especially the lead character Charlie who doesn’t want to leave her apartment because she is extremely pessimistic about climate change. she watches documentaries about climate change all day, eats maybe only peanut butter, and makes cupcakes. she just repeats doing these three things throughout the show.

her best friend/room mate is a gay man, the typical gay best friend you can find in any show, that somehow can tolerate her negativity.

a man that delivers her gay best friend’s groceries one day falls in love with her, but she doesn’t want to go outside or want to be intimate with him.

she has a mother that is self-centered and doesn’t care for her.

basically this is the whole show that you need to sit through. I find it depressing and bad.

also need to mention this theater doesn’t have a working AC and it was so hot.

i wouldn’t recommend this show but am happy to see if people think differently.

I went last night and I can’t figure out if it was genuinely too slow-paced or if I was just really hungry and could hear my stomach growling because it was so quiet that it was distracting 😂😭 It was only 90 minutes but to me, it felt really slow. The scares were great but they felt like a little reward for sitting through the rest.

But truly, I am a nightmarish toddler when I’m hungry, so it’s entirely possible it was brilliant and I just needed a snack. Would love to hear what others thought!