←Recommendations of Gentlemen

The hardest part about writing a recommendation for a play about four men using urinals is trying not to throw out double entendres or just plain bathroom jokes. That said, Arthur M. Jolly takes this most male moment and turns it into a seminar on the human condition: psychological, philosophical, and even medical. This short piece may have elements of adolescent humor, but what it really gets to is the basic need for us to feel comfortable with what we have, and it is in our hands to live with.

This a such a delight, from the initial stage notes ('let's mime this' - God, I hope so!) to the twists and surprising reveals from each character.

"The Gentlemen's Rules of Restroom Etiquette" are usually unspoken but no less sacrosanct. In this play by Arthur M. Jolly, the rules--for example, always leave a vacant urinal between you and the next guy--are not only spoken but debated. And just to what extent a guy does or does not obey the rules turns out to say a lot about him in all sorts of political and cultural ways. This little comedy contains a number of cogent, shall we say, "observations." It would delight and titillate any audience.

A supremely entertaining comedy of manners with four men at urinals examining constructs of masculinity: the role it plays on the political spectrum; the difference between toxic and nontoxic attitudes, speech and behavior; emotional, psychological, and medical reasons for bladder shyness; and of course dick size. WHO KNEW IT WAS EVEN POSSIBLE???

Apparently, Arthur Jolly did!

The dialogue flows like an allegro comic concerto as common ground and conflicts abound. The men are beautifully individuated, sublimely rhythmic and stylized, yet never too archetypal. The narrative is perfectly structured.

Seriously, dissertations could and should be written about GENTLEMEN.

What we have here is a highly successful curiosity play. How long can playwright Jolly realistically sustain men talking at the urinal of a restaurant bathroom? (Men's rooms are notoriously silent places.) Turns out there's easily ten minutes of small or large talk - depending on your POV. The conversation is so fluid, it makes one imagine beer is involved. I admire that the humor comes out of the four unnamed characters' personalities - that there is no stock bathroom humor - instead something serious - the loneliness of men for each others' company. So kudos for this magic act!

A hysterical view of an experience most men have actually lived through. Great characters and witty dialogue combined with a non-conventional theatrical setting make this play work extremely well.

This play is quite unique and entertaining, and it shows how different a restroom experience may be between the sexes in multiple ways. The realms of masculine competitiveness, envy and political ideology are explored here to their full comic potential. GENTLEMEN covers a lot of ground in ten minutes, including our responsibility to not spread germs. Nicely done!

A truly funny and engaging men's debate that makes for great bathroom comedy!

Gentlemen is proof that theater can take place anywhere. In this brief, very funny comedy, the sacredness of the men's room is challenged with great success. Bravo, Mr. Jolly.