←Recommendations of A Semicolon is a Double

A high school nerd and jock come together over grammar tutoring; however, there is more to their meeting than the use of a semicolon. The two young men reveal a mutual attraction that may not find broad acceptance in their school, but at least they have each other. A sweet story cleverly told. You can’t help but root for all the Connors and Drews wherever they are.

Sometimes you finish reading something and the major thought running through your brain is, "Cute!" Coming out is difficult. Can be, I suppose, is the better word. Nothing has to be anything. Just like life doesn't have to be lonely or feel isolating, but it often is and does. We see others and expect that life is easier for them. Maybe it is. Or maybe they think the same of us. We nerds and those jocks. But really, we all want connection. To be seen. Felt. To help and be helped. This is a lovely short.

This is a tender and moving portrait of two young men moving haltingly then hurtlingly to self-acceptance. This story and these two characters will ring true to anyone who dealt with feelings of difference or fear of revelation in adolescence. The grammar lesson framework is quite novel and engaging.

On the one hand Rinkel's play gives us insights into the torment young men experience when they are not like others--not what they're expected to be (semicolon) on the other hand we experience the underlying fears of being exposed when you appear to be what you're supposed to be, but you're not. The story takes us past those fears when two high school guys figure out that they are more alike than not. It is a compassionate look at becoming.

Rinkel has created two finely defined young characters in this delightful and heartwarming tale of acceptance and proper grammar. (Clever use of the grammar issue, I must say.) Having been in young Drew's situation, but without the enjoyable results, I found myself getting emotional and wishing this could have happened to me, many years ago. Well-written and sweet, this should be a big hit at LGBTQIA+ play festivals.

A very sweet play about connection and self-discovery. Bonus points for cleverly explaining to an audience how to use a semicolon!

Great play about opposites attract. You think you know the direction the play is going to go (at least I did) and are delighted with where it ends up. The differences between the two characters is what makes their coupling all the more satisfying. Great read!

Punctuation and a nerd/jock fantasy come to life: two great tastes that taste great together!

Rinkel delivers his opposites-attract scenario with humor, sensitivity, compassion, and fun, nicely individuating his jock and nerd from their archetypes making them easy to root for.

Once Connor, the athlete, starts saying what’s truly on his mind, there’s no limit to his candor while Drew, the grammarian, is touchier than he needs to be because he’s lived his life on the defense. Watching them come together is a delight.

Sweets and sexy like its characters, SEMICOLON is a home run!

A sweetly nervous play about coming out to one you have a crush on. Larry Rinkel captures a lovely moment in time when two opposites - who are the same - attract. It is a beautiful play and should get a lot of productions.

LARRY RINKEL's short play is a pleaser. An athletic teenager needs a nerdy teenager for more than an explanation of a semi-colon. "A Semicolon is a Double" shows there can be a connection between a jock and nerd. This is a very worthy play to be presented at a high school or anywhere else. BRAVO!