this man i call mi primo

by Benjamin Benne

Commissioned by Seattle Repertory Theatre

Sean and Nathanael are cousins, born just a few weeks apart in 1988. Every year they visit the same beach in Southern California (first as children, then as adults) to swim in the ocean, eat carne asada, and witness how their lives, their bodies, and the natural world around them have changed year after year. Spanning 10 billion years in the life of the earth, Benjamin...

Commissioned by Seattle Repertory Theatre

Sean and Nathanael are cousins, born just a few weeks apart in 1988. Every year they visit the same beach in Southern California (first as children, then as adults) to swim in the ocean, eat carne asada, and witness how their lives, their bodies, and the natural world around them have changed year after year. Spanning 10 billion years in the life of the earth, Benjamin Benne’s Seattle Rep 20x30 Commission is a theatrical meditation on human and ecological transformation, intimacy between men, and the cycles of life and death that shape our existence. [synopsis by dramaturg Paul Adolphsen]

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this man i call mi primo

Recommended by

  • Nick Malakhow: this man i call mi primo

    A gentle and thorough exploration of these two men that, for all of the subtlety it finds in their everyday existences, manages to be monumentally adventurous in form and thematically profound. I loved how reading this conjured imagery of an exciting movement-based theatrical evening in my mind, but that I could also tell how it could change so much depending on which creative production team tackles it. I'd love to see this on its feet someday soon! A narrative that explores male intimacy and friendship with such tenderness is a precious rarity.

    A gentle and thorough exploration of these two men that, for all of the subtlety it finds in their everyday existences, manages to be monumentally adventurous in form and thematically profound. I loved how reading this conjured imagery of an exciting movement-based theatrical evening in my mind, but that I could also tell how it could change so much depending on which creative production team tackles it. I'd love to see this on its feet someday soon! A narrative that explores male intimacy and friendship with such tenderness is a precious rarity.

  • Ren Bloom: this man i call mi primo

    Ben graciously shared the development of this play in a workshop. To follow its evolution was a true masterclass in watching the playwright at work. The result is a thought-provoking play that traces the enduring relationship between two cousins over many years. Through a series of ongoing dialogues from childhood to adulthood, the play explores the nuances of their lives, diverging paths, and the steadfast bond they maintain despite their differences. The narrative delves into the inner lives of men of color, portrayed with sensitivity, poise, and love.

    Ben graciously shared the development of this play in a workshop. To follow its evolution was a true masterclass in watching the playwright at work. The result is a thought-provoking play that traces the enduring relationship between two cousins over many years. Through a series of ongoing dialogues from childhood to adulthood, the play explores the nuances of their lives, diverging paths, and the steadfast bond they maintain despite their differences. The narrative delves into the inner lives of men of color, portrayed with sensitivity, poise, and love.

Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization Seattle Repertory Theatre, Year 2024
  • Type Workshop, Organization New Mexico State University, Year 2024
  • Type Reading, Organization Primary Stages, Year 2024
  • Type Workshop, Organization Colorado New Play Festival, Year 2024