Love is complicated, and so are race relations. Putting the two together in a way that fully explores the various complexities and still arrives at a meaningful resolution is a formidable task, but Adams has succeeded masterfully with this tightly constructed two-hander. Zeph and Violet are both wholly original creations, and the writer skillfully captures them at two very different times in their lives. Exploring two versions of a crucial night is a fascinating device, one which has ramifications that sit with the reader long after the play's close. The humor crackles and infuses the piece with joy. Wonderful work.

With the 1991 riots in the Crown Heights area of Brooklyn as its background, Zeph and Violet: A Race Romance tells the story of an unexpected relationship between a young Hasidic Jewish man and a young Black woman. The characters are both quirky and charming and you can’t help but want for their happiness. Krystle Adams does a terrific job of dealing sensitively yet honestly with issues of religious and racial differences. An optimistic, hopeful piece. Something we could use more of.