A fierce and brazenly theatrical exploration of not just the specific incident at the heart of the play, but of intersectionally-conscious queer identity. This piece had me alternatingly laughing at its genius, gutted by its tragedy, and sobered by its commentary. Through a clever balance of nuanced humans whose lives we were peering into and fourth-wall breaking self-aware characters, Christopher examines how this tragedy's roots are interlaced strands of hatred, misogyny, homophobia, racism, and classism. The exploration and meditation on the idea of community within the queer culture is potent and so articulately expressed as well.

An extraordinary pastiche about the aftermath of a murder on a neighborhood, especially important because it takes a close intimate look at working-class queer people of color. Its wit, heart, and style fuel its expressionism allowing the play to tell a panoramic story that indicts a community's ignorance, indifference and hatred. Playwright Jiménez also shows his characters' fears and desires for themselves and each other, and how the those two emotional drives can lead to danger. JULIO also has the most staggering, poetic, beautiful death scene I've ever experienced. It will haunt me forever.

An explosive celebration of queerness, a reminder of the struggle that mold the present, a window into latin culture, a poignant and poetic play that demands attention. All of these aptly describe J. Julian's work here. I'm in awe of this play.