←Recommendations of Sputnik

A socially conscious play with wit and heart and energy, this one's a keeper--and has gone on to well deserved accolades and encore productions.

I loved the line, the police "arrested me for Mopery and Attempted Gawk." The me is Sputnik Monroe, a white wrestler who integrated the sport despite strenuous opposition in the south. A little-known true story that offers lots of surprises and heroics. I saw this play at the 41st Annual William Inge Festival and championed it.

I loved Sputnik. So much happens in this play and in such a short amount of time that even as it explores more serious issues, it also feels fun and lively. Highly recommend!

In SPUTNIK, Everett Robert combines real characters and events into a fascinating and engaging period play that connects to modern life. And by framing the historical record within the unexpected world of pro wrestling, the landscape of civil rights in 1950s Tennessee comes alive in such engaging ways. I had the pleasure of watching a reading of this work at the William Inge Theatre Festival and it received such high remarks from both respondents and audiences alike.

Nothing ignites the creative side of my brain more than a play about a true story! "Sputnik" sent me down a spiral of constant Googling after I saw its reading at the William Inge Theatre Festival. Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys history, wrestling, and/or civil rights. A delightful ten-minute play that I can see expanding into a full length!

I love the ridiculousness of professional wrestling, and the chance to see that ridiculousness layered on top of something that actually matters makes for a nice balance. "Sputnik" achieves that balance well, and offers a nice dollop of history too. I got to see a reading of it at the William Inge Festival, and it was a delight!

A great yarn -- that also happens to be a true story. Everett Robert tells the life of an unlikely civil rights hero in this fun (and funny) play. "Sputnik" Monroe is not the sort of person you'd think of to take a stand against segregation, which makes it so fascinating when he does. I got to see this at the 2023 Midwest Dramatists Conference and enjoyed every minute of it.

FASCINATING - POWERFUL - COLORFUL

Sputnik Monroe's story was new to me, but soon, through the artful words of EVERETT ROBERT, the world will know his story and impact in the racially divided south. Although far from a traditional white savior story, we do see Sputnik's journey through his larger-than-life narrative where he is king and always the hero. I believe it's performance at the 2023 Midwest Dramatists Conference is just the beginning of this amazing play by ROBERT. I will be so fascinated to see this short piece grow into a longer play that truly will delight audiences. BRAVO!

A historically important play that tells the real story of the first man to racially integrate the south. Robert's extensive research sheds light on a forgotten civil rights leader, all while creating a wildly entertaining play. I laughed often and at the end was moved by the awesome achievements of on Roscoe "Sputnik' Monroe. This is a perfect blend of history, sports, and civil engagement. It makes the audience think while it entertains. A truly magnificent play!

Who knew a pro wrestler had a big hand in the Civil Rights movement in Tennessee in the early 1960s? This romp of a play weaves a lot of history into the narrative of a truly larger-than-life character who happens to have been real, Roscoe "Sputnik" Monroe. Everett Robert uses a sort of kaleidoscopic structure -- perfect for this story -- to shine a light on a truly strange but true life that will have you smiling as much as thinking and reflecting. Great job!