Denis Meadows:
2 Dec. 2023
“
A powerful drama, very well composed, the two main characters fully fleshed out and engaging. ”
Recommendations
Recommendations
- Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend:8 Jan. 2021“ Wow. This play is excellent. Even just reading it, it affects you. I would love to see it staged one day! ”
- Nick Malakhow:6 Jan. 2021“ I felt like I was holding my breath for the entirety of the taut 90 minute or so experience of reading this play. Hassan is an excellent central focus in this piece and his urgent circumstances make sense of an extreme request which, of course, turns into something entirely different and more harrowing about 100 miles later. I loved Fisher's complex exploration of an intersection between white privilege, youth, terrorism, and radicalization. An excellent and thought-provoking piece for an intimate venue. ”
- Cheryl Bear:5 Jan. 2021“ A riveting piece that has us at the edge of our seat and makes us ask the hard questions about our political climate as we struggle for humanity. Well done. ”
- Rachael Carnes:28 Mar. 2019“ I feel fortunate to have seen the West Coast premiere of this remarkable play at Oregon Contemporary Theatre. With unflinching power, and plenty of laughs, too, Fisher takes us into the heart of the fear and ignorance that drives our current national climate, developing a desperate portrait, and within that seemingly relentless, racing panic, Fisher nudges us towards our own humanity, towards solace, towards the evergreen choice we have to forgive. This thriller, with steep twists and turns, should be read and staged everywhere. HASSAN is an unforgettable character, and this is a timely, and timeless, piece of theatre. Bravo! ”
- Cameron Houg:23 Dec. 2018“ Sincerely one of the best plays I've read in years. The characters truly come alive as the story takes various twists and turns making you wonder how it could possibly turn out okay. I'd say more about the plot, but I think spoiling it would be a disservice to the playwright's work, so instead I'll say that this is a piece people need to read and perform in today's world, while really soaking in the messages. ”
- Timothy Wagoner:2 Sep. 2017“ Great piece to read! Current and well paced story. Bravo! ”
- Jason Parrish:31 May. 2017“ Florida Repertory Theatre read this play as part of its 2017 PlayLab Festival, and it has been selected for a premiere in the fall of 2018. This is a tight, timely, and hopeful play about what drives someone to be a terrorist and what it is to be Muslim and African in America today. These roles are great for actors to dive into, and could be staged on a small. An important, provocative, timely, and moving story of forgiveness. A MUST-READ! ”
- Nan Barnett:11 May. 2017“ A tense, tight, funny, troubling play that seems exactly right for America now. Its twists and turns kept me wondering what was next, and its messages regarding assumption, judgment, and redemption seem especially timely. Definitely put this on of the top of your 'to read' list. ”
- Eugene O'Neill Theater Center:1 May. 2017“ It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Bennett Fisher and their play Damascus as a finalist for our 2017 National Playwrights Conference. The play rose through a competitive, anonymous, multileveled selection process that took nearly nine months to execute. As one of 55 finalists out of more than 1,300 submissions, the strength of its writing has allowed this work to prosper in such a competitive selection process. Our readers were struck by the gripping, fast-paced plot and unique approach to national conversations about terrorism, race, and politics. ”