Death and Cockroaches by Eric Reyes Loo

When Eric moves home to take care of his dying father, he runs from his sadness right into a Wall of Dicks. An irreverently honest story, told from the POV of a playwright in his own play.
Finalist - Bay Area Playwrights Festival 2017
Semi-Finalist - Gulfshore Playhouse New Works Festival - 2017
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Death and Cockroaches

Recommended by

  • Nick Malakhow:
    4 Nov. 2019
    “ A beautiful piece that vacillates between absurd hilarity (see: "wall of dicks" mentioned in the synopsis) and poignant heartbreak. Like the best plays about death, this piece explores warts and all the irregularities and idiosyncrasies of impending death. The meta narrator is used as a surprisingly effective device, and the remaining characters are vividly drawn and nuanced. I'd love to see this highly theatrical piece on its feet in a full production! ”
  • Stephanie Alison Walker:
    26 Nov. 2018
    “ I was lucky to get to see the Chalk Rep production of Death and Cockroaches and it did everything I hope for when going to the theater-- it entertained me (tremendously,) moved me and had me reflecting on my own relationships long after I left the theater. The script is so relatable and courageous. Speaking from someone who has written autobiographically, it's not an easy thing to do at all yet Eric makes it look completely easy. This is one fierce and courageous play that connects with the deepest part of humanity. ”
  • James William Evans:
    18 Nov. 2018
    “ I had the pleasure of seeing this play last night, in a production by Chalk Rep. The meta aspects are handled with a lot more cleverness than one might expect and the ending was surprisingly effective. ”
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Cockroach and Reilly are played by the same actor.
The ethnicity of each character should be honored. But Eric being of mixed-race can be played by a brown actor who has a mix, even though it's not Eric's particular mix.

Development History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Chalk Rep
    ,
    2017
  • Workshop
    ,
    Chalk Rep
    ,
    2016

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Chalk Repertory Theatre
    ,
    2018

Awards

Finalist
,
Bay Area Playwrights Festival
,
2017
Semi-Finalist
,
Gulfshore Playhouse New Works Festival
,
2017