Unspeakable: a dramatic fantasia (Chicago) Tickets

I expected trauma and harshness and profanity, I even expected not to laugh much but I was not prepared to feel so absolutely uncomfortable and out of place. My guests and I did not return after the first act and I noticed that was the case for quite a few people.

I had almost forgotten that Richard Pryor was a little "off color" at times, but the first scene quickly reminded me just how vulgar he could be at times. I almost wanted to walk out but was drawn in by the outstanding acting. My instincts paid off because my eyes were definitely opened to the challenges and struggles that Richard faced throughout his youth and life in general. You truly begin to understand why he was the way he was - and that although outwardly he appeared to have overcome his demons, they were always lurking in the back of his mind. I give kiddos to the writers and production team for their bravery in telling the tale - I don't know when this production began, but I'm sure the Cosby references were there before all the heat started Cosby's way - wow. While I'm glad I followed the warning to keep the little ones at home, I am so glad that I attended and stayed throughout the performance. I have a greater appreciation for Richard's talents and I will always remember that "you never know what demons people are struggling with so - be kind and nonjudgemental." Thank you.

I was struck by the intensity of the dialog of this play. In the most penetrating character study I have witnessed on stage, the play peels away layer after layer of personally formative events in efficient, yet dramatic, fashion to expose a lifetime of scars that would have stopped most humans in their tracks. As the play evolves through a lifetime, this mosaic of events builds to fuel the emergence of a personality unseen before. When the smoke clears, it is the survivor Richard Pryor who is exposed in a flawed life lived on his terms. Raw and unashamed, Pryor is revealed as the man behind the comedy that fueled a generation. James Murray Jackson Jr. pulls no punches with his eerie physical resemblance in portrayal. Warts and all give an honest impression of what life “behind the curtain” must have been like for the late comedian as he created a path with no precedence in the celebrity realm of the 1970s. A professional cast flawlessly unwinds this intricate tale in a cadence that leaves no time to pause and reflect. Like a river, the story flows over the audience and we cannot help but be changed by the experience. Race, culture and language mores are all challenged in this unique portrayal of a life fully lived. Pryor burst into American culture, and firmly holds his place in it, because of the raw manner in which he engaged his audience. Like Pryor, UNSPEAKABLE engaged our audience in the same raw manner. This is a must-see view of not only Pryor’s life but American life. A timely and relevant play, Richard Pryor picked at social scabs covering issues of race, culture and language – 40 years ago – that remain unresolved to this day. At some moments, the circumstances depicted in the play are edgy and unsettling but, to me, this only revealed my lack of having fully recognized their existence. Art happens at many levels, but primarily it should move people. In this respect, UNSPEAKABLE works by inspiring a bigger discussion after experiencing the life of a man we thought we knew.

Left after the first half. Acting was good, but the writing simply wasn't worth it.

First off, vulgarity was through the roof. Secondly, the first 10 minutes of the show were very interesting and unsettling. The rest of the play was fine and you kind of get used to the vulgar nature of the show.

Not funny, not even interesting. We expected offensive language, given the subject matter, but this performance was simply ugly with no redeeming humor or insights. We walked out after about 20 minutes. Maybe it improved later. It could not have gotten worse. I will give the actors credit for doing the best that could be done with an awful script. The production is obviously intended to be a biography of Richard Pryor. However, evidently, the producer was unable to obtain authorization to use Pryor's name or copyrighted material. (No wonder!) Consequently, the production lacked any genuine Pryor content. There was an actor who had the appearance of Pryor, but he did not actually recreate any Pryor material.

This is the first Broadway In Chicago theatre production I was so disappointed in. There were four of us, two different generations and it was so bad that we left at intermission. Knowing that the storyline would be controversial I hoped the production would be entertaining. Far from it-worst thing I have ever seen. Several others left during the first 20 minutes. Terrible. I do not recommend this to anyone. First time I have ever been to a play and no one ever clapped or laughed. Wish there was a way I could get my money back. Very disappointing!

Not knowing what to expect, this play delivers on all levels: drama, comedy, intrigue and emotion. It gives the audience a real insight into the life of Richard Pryor and a true appreciation for all he accomplished. There will undoubtedly be varied opinions about this show as with any, but for anyone with an open mind curious to learn more about an icon of our era, this is a must see!

It's good to see the creativity involved in telling a legends story and having it cast in a different light. James Murray Jackson re-envisions the other questions we have in our heads about Ricard wonderfully. Plus he has the iconic suit from sunset strip.

I had the pleasure of seeing UNSPEAKABLE, a dramatic fantasia twice since its premiere. It is a very RAW and "in your face" interpretation on the life of Richard Prayer. Richard was a funny man to many, but their is so much behind the humor that was not always funny! It was down right traumatic. This was his truth and I appreciate the creative minds of the writers, director, actors and producers who told Richard story their way. Contrary to what one may think, the many things that made people feel "uncomfortable" and was considered "unspeakable" early in his career is how Richard made people laugh AND how he was able to break barriers for other comedians, comedic actors and actresses today! He took risk others were afraid to take. Don't come expecting a comedy show! not every line is intended to be funny, but there is no question you will be entertained!

This play definitely takes you on a roller coaster ride of the late great Richard Pryor. It shows how with so much pain he endured in his life, he was still able to rise above it and make us laugh. I strongly suggest you see the performance...the actors keep you on your seat for 2 hours and you leave with an appreciation of just who this funny man was.

I didn't enjoy this play. I expected to be entertained but I left disappointed. Most of the actors were great and I could see they were talented but the script felt like like the first or second draft. After seeing a great production, I usually discuss it on the way home and later with others. Unspeakable, however, wasn't worth mentioning.

It was terrible, strange, unfunny, made no sense. At intermission, there was not one clap. That's when we left. It was unspeakably awful. I'm sorry I wasted my money on the tickets.

So enjoyed this show! Get ready for a journey inside the dark, strange and hilarious mind of Richard Pryor. Set all in his psyche, the play chronicles his transition from Cosby knock off to the raw, unfiltered and outrageous Pryor we all know and love. The show is its best when it shows the courage it took for Richard to find his own voice and take a risk when he already had a successful career and when we see him with his beloved Grandmother. The show purposely pokes at the struggle he had with being an "entertaining puppet" for "white folks". So while you see Pryor/Jackson in action, this is not a string of re-hashed Pryor standup, but a raw, intense and surprisingly real life funny journey inside a tortured and brilliant soul. This is a show about the man that Pryor was (or wanted to be but never could manage). MUST SEE performance by James Murray Jackson as Pryor! He manages to embody Pryor without straight imitation and humanize him in a way that makes us care about his journey even though as a father/husband he's such a tough man to like. Highly recommend the show!

This is a play that gives you layers! If you're tired of paint by numbers flat footed stage plays... this is quite the refreshing treat. I've seen it twice, and the 2nd time around was a completely different experience than the first. Once you drop into the the world created on stage (and stop expecting a biopic) you can really open yourself to the brilliant writing, unique choices, dark humor, and the pain that is Richard Pryor's life. One of the most creative and politically laced pieces I've seen to date. Go see it!

For me it was too"Quentin Tarantino" style. I brought my neice for her 40th birthday.and there weere too may scenes thaaaaaaaaaat were not self explanatory. I would fill in the gaps so that it made sense to her. She said she now wished she had watched the documentary on him.I f all you knew wa his albums or movies, thisd didn't really help. I would only recommemnd this play to those of us who grew up with him and are familiar with his life. I don't hink others would or rather could understand and apprecoiate this playI trmrmbrt Richard "mouth" but whnthe actor said "those words, it just seem crude, not funny or amusing. HIs cursing never seemed angry or bitter, but thats the way the actor came across. Maybe Richard was angry but he pulled off where you didn't know it. It made his situation seem to be something he could look back on and laught at. He also seem sincere when he told us that N***** was offensive and he no longe wanted to be the one to continue iits longevity. The actort didn't show that. Maybe mygrowing older and now being saved have caused my sensibilities to change, but I do know I came to see "Richard" and that did not happen. i have shared the information about this play to some of my friends that I think could appreciate it., but not to everyone. By the way, my mother hated it,, but I on the other handdid appreciated it because it did give me more insight on the Richard that I thought I knew.

From the beginning of the title, you knew you were in for something special! The performance of Richard is undeniably authentic. You would think the real Richard Pryor was up on that stage. And though not a stand up comedy show.... the Drama and fantasy mixed in with the laughs to portray one, if not THE greatest comedic icon ever was a new a different take. So yes, this is not a standup comedy show. The show is deep and often a look at the the dark past of what shaped the legend Richard Pryor. I never knew what circumstances and conditions he was given to form him into the comedian he became. Go into the performance with an open eye. Escape in the moment.. its a ride for sure.. you feel every emotion and then think about it later. Its not all laughs, thus the dramatic fantasia, but you will laugh, and you also feel the emotions that go with trials and tribulations portrayed. I wasnt always at ease, but I shouldn't be... to be tolerant of some of the things portrayed is what it means to have tolerance, and the crazy thing is the events are real to richard's life... that part is no fantasy. I commend this production for taking risks, and having an incredible ensemble cast to support and beautifully present this piece of theater. way to go. I will be back to take it all in again!

The play didn't have enough props. The characters played multiple roles and very hard to follow. We left at intermission.

Beautiful piece of work, I was constantly engaged in the show. The set is gorgeous and the acting is amazing. First act can get a little slow, but the second act was mesmerizing. Even though some of the actors were both old and new to the Chicago Theatre scene, they owned that stage and you could tell how much they enjoyed what they were doing. I would see the show again and again! It really shows the background of this talented person, and shows the struggles that he faced throughout his life, and how they affected his career and comedy routines. A must see.

Bad writing, bad acting, bad staging- don't bother