An extremely important and underrepresented example of pursuing "the American Dream." This play uses fierce humor and wrenching tragedy to illuminate the opportunities its central characters most desperately crave and deserve but are prevented from achieving at every turn. From ball culture to cockfighting to wild animals run loose, full throated and passionate theatricality is on display here. I would love to see how this lives off the page. I appreciate its transcendent and forward-looking ending.

Passionate, funny, and bursting with life. This play is energizing in all the right ways. Highly recommend.

Bruise & Thorn crackles with humor, passion, and confidence. J. Julian Christopher's command of language is so clear in it: the play sings, has rhythm, and puts you directly into the play's world. It's also rich and thoughtful in its politics. Never didactic, never judgmental or heavy-handed, always wildly fun.