←Recommendations of The Diplomats

An intimate steel cage match of beliefs that overlap, collide, and deceive as what should have been a nice evening among old friends devolves into conflict as ideological resentments and shocking revelations bubble to the surface. When all is said and done however Diaz-Marcano still finds a path to reconciliation amidst the carnage and scorched earth. A testament to our capacity for forgiveness and an important reminder that not all is lost.

I read this play, maybe, three years ago(?) and STILL think about it! That's how good this play is.

In our 2018 Main-stage Awards, DIPLOMATS moved us with its depth and profound insight. We had bigger, colorful, award winning productions. Yet against all these, this unassuming play cried: "Outstanding Play." I said in the Award presentation: "-back in November 2016, our nation changed forever. The unbelievable happened. Often, it’s the outsiders who see these events the most clearly... We learn a lot from plays like this, importantly, like the ancient proverb, To See Ourselves, as Others See Us." Nelson's writing is some of the most Existential we've ever seen. We are, all of us, the better for seeing it.

On the eve of the 2016 election, three college friends, now all in their early 30s, reunite and all hell breaks loose. Fast, funny, and deeply divisive in the best possibly theatrical way, “The Diplomats” has taken on even deeper meaning and urgency as we race towards another election, one that could potentially have worse repercussions than the last. This is is a major work that needs to be seen, as Diaz-Marcano skillfully hits every opinionated nail on the head with blunt, but eloquent precision.

Saw a production of this show. Nelson has the dialogue chops of a tv writer, while still leaving in such a theatrical world. This play does such a good job of marrying politics with millennial identity. Funny and upsetting all at once. Especially good for college age/young 20’s actors.

A play between three people where nothing, NOTHING, is as it seems. We cut right into the heart of some of the biggest issues facing America on the eve of what would become one of the most consequential nights in American history. You are going to get way more than you bargained for with this play. Nelson Diaz-Marcano is a playwright who listens and lets his characters speak. I've insulted Nelson, these aren't paltry characters. These are three dimensional living human beings who expose us, our flaws, our hypocrisy, and yes our shared humanity despite our many differences. READ NOW!

Caught this as part of the Downtown Urban Arts Festival. An engaging and amusing piece which focuses on the relationship of 3 friends from varying backgrounds which becomes tested through a series of steadily escalating arguments regarding race, culture and political identification. The dialogue is fluid and moves the story along well, and the characters are able to ultimately rise over the subject matter to create a more substantial tale.

Definitely a play that folks will wrestle with in that way interesting theatre should. You certainly won’t agree with each character and everything they say but you need to hear them out.

A really fun, intersectional, well-crafted piece of theatre.

I saw a production of this powerful new play in the Fresh Fruit Festival - a play that's necessary for our times, that examines every side of every issue we're grappling with in a very human way. An important new work!