AUDIENCE FEEDBACK

I just arrived home from the Saturday Afternoon Show. Tomorrow, June 10,2007 is the 72nd anniversary of AA. (It is when Dr. Bob took his last drink.)The play brings to life the two forces that combined to bring AA to life.Tears to Laughter to Tears to Laughter. As it says in the Big Book "We are not a glum lot." Thank you for bringing an image of Dr. Bob to me.
BTW I would have loved to play "The man". (Have some experience in that role.) Thank you all, Producer, Director, Cast and Crew.

This play is amazing! I do not have any experience with Alcoholics Anonymous, and i was required to see the play to understand it better by my school. I sure was glad. the actors were phenominal, i had chills the whole night and it

A must see, regardless of your experience (or lack of ) with alcoholism!

I came from Chicago just to see the play and was quite moved by the portrayal of a story I already knew. I got choked up several times and giggled as well. The amazing thing for me was that earlier on the day of the Play, I went to an AA meeting, as I am a member and always like to attend a meeting when traveling. While there, I had an opportunity to share some of my recovery experience with someone who was new to the Program and who was understandably 'anxious" about the future. I reassured her that it would all be "OK" and everything would work out for the best. During that short exchange, I experienced a wonderfully warm feeling that became 'alive' for me later in the evening toward the end of the performance--and that was the feeling of perhaps having been useful.
I believe the desire to be 'of service and to pass it on' is what compelled Bill W and Dr. Bob so passionately and what was portrayed on stage so vividly. Their inspired zeal trickled down to an average guy liked me in some dingy Church building in New York some 72 years later. Seeing it unfold on stage created a sustaining sense of joy I never dreamed could happen to a wretch like me.
-Mike B

I saw the play on April 29th and loved it. I was mesmerized by the actors as well as the background music. The audience laughed and was also teary-eyed in parts. The audience gave the cast a standing ovation at the end of the play. Everyone should see it. -Judy

BRAVO, BRAVO AND BRAVO to the Writers, the Cast, the Piano Man and all involved in putting this production on but most of all BRAVO to the original Bill W. and Dr. Bob for founding AA. I organized a small bus trip from NJ to come in and see the play on 4/14/07 for the 2:00 pm showing and what a show we all got! I'm amazed at how well the writer's captured the true story from the Big Book of AA from the first 164 pages. I laughed, I got emotional, I even went back to my childhood fears and feelings at times and from the opening scene where he says "Hi I'm Bill and I'm an alcoholic" I hung on every word like it was my last. I absorbed the play like I was a sponge.

My hat goes off the to all involved. I'm definitely going back again before it leaves Broadway.

Peace in Sobriety,
Cindy S.

"LOVED THE PLAY!! CAUGHT IT IN PREVIEWS 2/21. MY 3 GIRLFRIENDS & I JUST HAD TO SEE IT AS WE MET IN AL-ANON 18 YRS AGO & HAVE BEEN LIKE SISTERS EVER SINCE. WE ALL LOVED IT. IT HAD A PROFOUND IMPACT ON US ALL, EACH IN A DIFFERENT WAY. I WOULD RECOMMEND EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY ADDICTION TO SEE THIS WONDERFUL & MOVING PLAY. THE ACTORS WERE INTENSE & SO TRUE TO LIFE!!" - Theresa

"Bravo! Bergman and Surrey's writing picks up the essence of Bill W and Dr. Bob's story while providing an absolutely inspriational primer in the principles of AA. Mr. Krakovski and Mr. Husted were funny yet, poinant and the ensemble was multi talented in professionally handing their various characters.

I was twice moved to tears and cannot thank you all enough for a powerful presentation.

Congratulations on your extended run. I am telling all my friends to come to this show." -Cornell

"I was priviledged enough to be at the premiere. With tears in my eyes, the play brought me back to reading "Pass it on" & "Dr Bob & the Good Oldtimers". Such a sensational portrayal! -Dan

"Delighted to read New York Times review: she got it! Spouse and I, former therapists worked with many substance abusers who were helped by AA--plus therapy. We saw the play in previews and were very moved by the direct way the complex ideas came across. The importance of telling our stories to another as a path to wholeness is made real in the uncluttered staging. All of it plus the strong acting will resonate even with those who have not personally experienced alcoholism.

More at www.alittleredhen.com on March 10, 2007, where I have blogged about the play." - Naomi

"Bill W. & Dr. Bob was an amazing production. It touched each one of us in a different way. The inspiration and strength gained from the presentation of this story was immeasurable. We all felt a deeper connection for having shared the experience of this play. The actors were wonderfully cast and the simplicity of the scenary and props allowed for us to fully concentrate on the story. It was a marvelous outing! Thank you."
-Elaine

"I saw the play on March 2nd. Not only was the play moving and insightful, Dr. Bob and Bill W. is a great comedy as well..a must see for anyone who has experienced alcoholism in their family or on a personal level..a must see for all." -Mike

"I loved it. It was amazingly powerful and on point! I am an AA history buff and the scenes they chose to tell AA’s story were perfect. You could even see Alanon starting to form among the women. I loved how you saw their story too, which deserves to be known more. The actors and actresses characters really developed strongly. I really felt like I was there. I must have had tears running down my cheeks four or five times. My family went too, who are not alcoholics and they loved it as well! It was an incredible experience- Thank You! P.S. We didn’t have time to stay after to talk to cast as we had to rush to dinner reservations, although we really wanted to express our gratitude and tell them how great of a job they did!!" -Scott

"I saw the play on Sat 2/17 for the 2pm matinee, for me it was a real treat, that day was my 18th year sober, and I couldn't think of a better place than to be in NYC to see BillW and Dr Bob come to life.

I was in Akron last June for Founders Day, and visited Dr Bobs home, I sat in the kitchen at the table and had a pretend cup of coffee with a few of my friends, that went with me...

The play was spectacular, and I plan on seeing it again, The typical Alcoholic thinking, IF ONE IS GOOD, TWO IS BETTER...

Again Fantastic job!" --Tobe

"The actors were extraordinarily powerful & insightful about our fellowship & traditions. The play was beyond EVERYONE's expectations! The authors/ director/cast were all in the talk-back-which was excellent! We were all high on life when getting back on the bus at 5:30pm- my throat & eyes are swelling up -I think from overuse or abuse today! Love & Mucho Gratias!!!!!!!!!!, SJersey Gypsies Ginger."--Lots of Love & Laughter, Ginger F. & Ron B.

"I attended the first preview performance last night in New York and remained after to talk with the cast, director and playwrites. As a member of AA, I want to thank you all. It was wonderful and truly reached into my soul. Hopefully your dream will come true in that many more will attend - especially non-members. There is still such a stigma associated with being an alcoholic and maybe, just maybe this will be one more chance for all to understand this disease. Congratulations." --Linda KK

"I knew those guys, Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith. They'd come to the house a lot after that first meeting and I used to hear them talk all the time--and that was the way they were. You two (actors) really captured them! You did a terrific job of bringing them to life, and bringing back that time!" --John Sieberling, speaking after a performance of Bill W. and Dr. Bob held at Stan Hywet Hall on June 9, 2006. John is the son of Henrietta Sieberling the woman who arranged the first meeting between Bill W. and Dr. Bob,in the gatehouse of Stan Hywet Hall, Akron, Ohio, on May 12,1935.

"What a blessing it is to be a volunteer usher at New Rep, because of this I was able to see the play in watertown.I also got to see it at the Natick Center for the Arts in the previous year.Wow, what growth! Also because I've been sober for almost 8 years I've been able to do this, and am so greatful to Bill and Bob for the program and fellowship. Excellent!!!"
- Trish

"This isn't just a great play, it's a phenomenon!" -Deborah G.

"The play breaks down the barrier between Alcoholics Anonymous and the rest of the world. It shows what it's really about." -Kenneth N.