Good Time Charlie tickets

See this show if you enjoy Ryan Haddad’s previous work, stories about complicated and chosen families, gorgeous sets, and great casts. Don’t see this show if you dislike meta-theatrical elements or fourth-wall breaks, prefer a more linear narrative, or want something that feels less familiar. Saw this show Oct. 12 (evening) It is ~2hr and 15 minutes long with one 15 minute intermission Good Time Charlie is a heartfelt, occasionally funny play that could definitely use some cuts. The acting is fine, but Ryan is particularly funny and charismatic. Oddly enough, I found Sheldon to be the most interesting character, played wonderfully by Michael Cristofer. For a play dedicated to his uncle Charlie, Charlie sometimes feels like he takes a back seat. I really liked the meta aspect of the show, especially Ryan questioning whether certain moments involving his family should be included in the play. It felt like getting a behind-the-scenes look at how his mind works as both a playwright and someone turning his family history into art. The contrast between Ryan pursuing a career in the arts and Charlie never getting the opportunity to do so was particularly interesting. Charlie's parents pushed him towards dentistry instead of theatre, and his experience with his sexuality was shaped by a less accepting generation. Ryan's experience coming out was easier in some respects, though not without complications. At times, the messaging is a little heavy-handed, but the play is undeniably heartfelt. There were a couple of ladies in my row crying during a scene towards the end. I found it sad but not devastating, though I can see how the play might affect others more emotionally. I also really liked the Fun Home line delivered by Beth Malone (OBC Alison!). That was a fun touch. Ironically, the only other time I've seen Ryan in anything was the FX series "A Murder at the End of the World". After seeing this, I'd like to check out his previous work and see what he does next. (Real review score: 7.5/10)

The dialogue of this show (set in the 80s) consisted mostly of references to musical theater and old movies, sometimes snippets of analysis but often just characters name dropping and bragging about the shows they've seen. Actual example of topic: the quality of bette davis's wig in the movie beyond the forest. If such topics fascinate you, this is a show for you, if not, don't bother. The other 10% of the narrative, such as it is, has to do with the minor travails of upper crust gay people.

I mostly did not like this play. There is way too much narration which I particularly don't like. In addition, I thought that the characters were cliched stereotypes. And the story was nothing new. We've seen so many plays about gay men finding their true family, about coming out and about discovering your true self. The set was gorgeous. The acting was not exceptional except for Michael Christopher (who played Sheldon). I thought he was fantastic. And I thought that the constant interrupting the play to discuss whether a scene should include something or if it was time for a character to appear, etc. was ridiculous. Just do the play. It was a bit funny and I was never bored.