←Recommendations of Welcome to Keene, New Hampshire

It's hard to read (or, I imagine watch) this play without also hearing echos of Wilder's "Out Town" . That's clearly intentional, and the sharp contrast between his idyllic 1900's town and Polak's deftly drawn characters and anxious political atmosphere make this play particularly important for today's theatre. Fascinatingly, Polak manages to find humor and a subtle kind of optimism in his broken American town. An important show that I'd love to see on a college stage.

Beautiful broad-reaching big-picture Wilderesque play that reaches out to pull its audience into its grip and then holds us enthralled for quite a long time full of moving moments. Polak does a great job with a large cast ensemble piece that evokes so much about this country, he just might break the spell we've been put under.

A heartfelt evocation of loss in a community. Written with an assured point of view, compassion and beautiful outrage. Deceptive on the page - the play sneaks up on you in a quiet manner caught as it is between comedy and tragedy and the complexities of depicting the human condition.

I love this play. Even on the early (first?) draft I heard, it made me appreciate being alive. I'd love to see a theater produce this.

I found this play to be so beautifully crafted and moving. The many characters are all deftly drawn with heartbreaking skill. It's a sharp-eyed commentary on how small-town society has shifted into shadows that Thornton Wilder could never imagine. Brian is such a talented writer.