←Recommendations of Scratching the Surface

Deeply unsettling--all the more because of how much the violence is perpetrated in search of belonging, normalcy, what Win is prevented from having in society. This would definitely be intense viewing, and I'd be interested to see a daring production team handle it with a nuanced hand.

Simpson has written quite a thriller that would be terrifying, edge-of-your-seat exciting to watch! The characters are filled with desires for normalcy that seem almost possible, and yet they aren't equipped to be what/who they want to be. It is strange and fascinating and will surely provoke a lot of talk afterwards.

Feels more than a little Macbethian set in the suburbs.

An enthralling look into violence and assault that wakes you and leaves its mark. Excellent.

It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Charly Evon Simpson and their play Scratching the Surface as a finalist for our 2018 National Playwrights Conference. The play rose through a competitive, anonymous, multileveled selection process that took nearly nine months to execute. As one of 53 finalists out of more than 1,4200 submissions, the strength of its writing has allowed this work to prosper in such a competitive selection process

Charly Evon Simpson does a brilliant job with crisp dialogue that keeps the spectator engaged, while also letting them grip the edge of their seat in anticipation. The elements of violence are handled well. I cannot wait to (hopefully) see this on stage soon.

Scratching the Surface is a knife on the back of your neck. Dark, tense, and dangerous right down to the last minute, Charly Evon Simpson handles the elements of violence and assault masterfully and enables a reader/audience to engage with difficult material not often seen on stage. #PlaywrightPlug

We are pleased to support this play! It was a Finalist for the 2018 New Works Festival at Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas, Texas.

I really really love this script. It's tense and creepy and deals with abduction and assault in a way we don't see on stage often. I couldn't put it down and I'm still not sure I've processed all of my emotions after reading it (even though I read it months ago). Looking forward to reading a lot more by Simpson!

A very dark piece that grabs the reader from the beginning and never lets go. Wildly imaginative and unpredictable. We're lucky to have this play as one of our Fall Festival Finalists!!