←Recommendations of Sputnik

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!

I wasn't familiar with Sputnick Monroe before seeing a staged reading of this play at the 2023 Midwest Dramatists Conference -- but, wow, did I learn a lot about his fascinating and impactful life! Robert works so much into just 10 minutes. The playwright employs a non-traditional structure, which I think will really appeal to directors and casts looking for something a little outside the norm. And this structure allows the titular character to address the audience in his larger-than-life fashion. Fun and informative!

A fascinating, polished story of a little-known civil rights hero. The plain language and not-quite-a-monologue structure are well-suited to the subject matter; a solid and important story, well-told.

A propulsive almost-one-man show that shines a light on a forgotten bit of civil rights history, and proves what can be accomplished with enough conviction and a strong sense of right and wrong.

History is a record, but the best history is in the telling by those who were there. I had never heard of Roscoe "Sputnik" Monroe until now, but Everett Robert has given us a tale of a character who made history, and we get to feel it and sense it through his recollections. It is enlightening, entertaining, and meaningful all at once, and a great role for an actor.

What I like about this play is its commitment to its character. It truly feels like the words of a wrestler working in the deeply segregated South of 1960. The racial backdrop brings another level as well, giving the play a sense of right and wrong, and a hero to root for.

Writer Everett Robert has created a deeply impressive account of how real-life wrestler Roscoe "Sputnik" Monroe directly shifted Memphis, Tennessee from public segregation toward integration in the early 1960s. "Sputnik" is a forceful short play, an ideal vehicle for an outsized actor and any director with a cinematic eye. Everett Robert has written a densely-packed play with great skill. "Sputnik" races through space and time to an exciting ending, where justice is beginning to prevail.