Theater Thursday - This Flat Earth and A Letter to Harvey Milk

What: This Flat Earth

Where: Playwright's Horizon
             416 W. 42nd St.
             New York, NY

Who: Recommended for Ages 16 and Up

When: Through April 29, 2018

Mom's view: This Flat Earth is a timely show dealing with the serious issue of school shootings. The show is so timely that they were literally in rehearsals when the most recent school shooting took place in Florida. The plot concerns the aftermath of a school shooting from the perspective of a child who attended a school  where such an incident occured   She and her father's lives are abruptly upended as an unexpected consquence of the shooting. This is a well acted well written show that really makes you think. Ella Kennedy Davis and Cassie Beck are especially good as the young girl and a griefing mother whose child was killed in the shooting respectively. This is not a good show for children especially young children due to the subject matter, but it is perfect for more mature theatergoers that appreciate a show that does a good job handling difficult subject matter.

For information about This Flat Earth or to order tickets, visit
www.playwrightshorizons.org/shows/plays/flat-earth.
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We were given tickets to A Letter to Harvey Milk for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: A Letter to Harvey Milk

Where: Acorn Theatre
            Theatre Row
            410 W. 42nd St
            New York, NY

Who: Recommended for Ages 13 and Up

Mom's view: A Letter to Harvey Milk is a show about an unlikely pair connecting in surprising ways. Barbara is a young lesbian writing teacher. Harry is an older retired widower who takes her class. When the two strike up a friendship surprising revelations are made, and  it turns out the two may have more in common than it appears on the surface.  The show is a musical but it is not a comedy although there are a lot of funny moments in the show. It has a good mix of funny and tender moments The songs are a nice mix of  comedic and more dramatic moments as well. They are enjoyable within the context of the show although none of them particularly stand out. The acting is good.  The story is touching and even heartbreaking at times.  It is not show that is suitable for young children due to the subject matter or for anyone who is offended by a show dealing with gay themes. However, it is fine for older children and open minded adults.

For more information about A Letter to Harvey Milk, visit https://www.lettertoharveymilk.com/.

Photo credits: All This Flat Earth production photo by Joan Marcus
              All A Letter to Harvey Milk production photos by Russ Rowland