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The Oktavist by Vince Gatton

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  • Sam Heyman:
    7 Jun. 2022
    “ "The Oktavist" is a short play that feels incredibly lived in, despite its relatively short run-time. Vince Gatton imbues his characters with humanity and nuance to tell a story about how identifying one's passions can be obfuscated by one's cultural circumstances. Even if Dimitri's dreams of becoming an oktavist are misaimed, Gatton's evocative dialogue shines--and sings! ”
  • Michael C. O'Day:
    8 Jan. 2022
    “ A terrific (and so very musical) tale of self-deception and self-realization, of how culture shapes our sense of identity and how we learn to live with that. Hilarious and heartbreaking, and a feast for actors. To put it in terms the characters would understand, it's a Liadov miniature with Tchaikovsky's soul. ”
  • Vivian Lermond:
    1 Dec. 2021
    “ Gatton takes us way past plot perfection. Through the sublime subtlety of subtext, he delivers honest, believable characters and a beautiful, unexpected climax. This play deserves production! ”
  • John Mabey:
    28 Sep. 2021
    “ This amazing play is beautiful and devastating in the best ways. An incredibly well-written and moving piece, Vince Gatton crafts a world of meaning and story in 10 minutes. THE OKTAVIST builds in intensity at a perfect pace and is both funny and dramatic in its authenticity. A play I'm sure to see performed live one day and I can't wait. ”
  • Steven G. Martin:
    6 Sep. 2021
    “ This short play is a tale of not fully recognizing the nuances of life, of the wise protecting the innocent, of saying a lot with just a little.

    Vince Gatton never says any of this explicitly, which goes to show his skill and his trust in the audience. The use of subtext also builds the world of "The Oktavist." It's a well-written story. ”
  • Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend:
    10 Jun. 2021
    “ Wow, this short play is about as close to perfect as you can get. It's engaging and funny and sad all at once. Such a tall order for ten pages, but Vince Gatton has pulled it off with his own rare talent, just like an okatvist. This play is wonderful. ”
  • DC Cathro:
    10 Jun. 2021
    “ A truly powerful, deeply layered, and emotional piece. The dialogue is pitch perfect and the histories of the characters, and even those they only speak of, is so deeply embedded that the clarity of these people shines through. Visual, funny, sad, Gatton does an exceptional job at hitting many notes (literally and figuratively) in this play. Stunning work, beautiful. ”
  • Toby Malone:
    9 Jun. 2021
    “ A movingly layered historical short wherein a young man expresses his intent to join the church choir, and not in just any position, but in the hardest position of all to sing, based on an epiphany that he does not understand. Finely crafted and thoughtfully phrased, Gatton does an excellent job of never overplaying his hand, but asks the audience to either interpret his words on their surface meaning, or to look deeper for greater nuance. A strong, effective piece. ”
  • Lee R. Lawing:
    9 Jun. 2021
    “ Coming out stories have been with us for the beginning of time and coming to terms with one's own self and becoming comfortable with one's own sexuality can seem to take a lifetime. Sadly some of us never do discover the real "me" until too late or never. Gatton's sweet comedy/drama is a perfect example of one person's process. I hope Dimitri finds his Oktavist in life and they can share these precious moments on earth together. ”
  • Daniel Prillaman:
    9 Jun. 2021
    “ A powerhouse of a ten minute play, and without hyperbole, one of the best I've ever seen. Gatton's piece almost leaves me at a loss for words, for fear I spoil its genius and machinations by saying more. I will say it's funny, heartfelt, mournful, and so unbelievably layered, culminating in a fantastic monologue wherein Dimitri describes something he doesn't quite understand, but we instantly do. And then, of course, we go one step further. Perform this. Study it in class settings. You don't find much better than this. ”

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