←Recommendations of Djarum Vanilla

I had the opportunity to see the workshop of this play at the Kennedy Center, and it was fantastic! Poignant, timely, and authentic.

The more I found out about the friendship between Malcolm and Bex, the more I wanted to be a third wheel to them. This play gave me so many moments to experience the racial tensions of America in ways that I hadn't previously considered and for that I'm grateful to Cary. A beautiful piece of writing weaved skillfully, with humor and heart.

I'm a wild proponent of oddball pairings, and the two main characters here are a dream for that quirky, raw, intensely personal but occasionally tumultuous connection that can happen between people - especially those who are personally going through intense transformation and struggle. How can we be there for someone else without a strong foundation of our own? How can we compassionately be present for another when we are demanding (and needing) the same understanding? Very topical and 'of the times' while also an intimate portrayal of intimate story.

A look at the lives of those rarely seen on stage - two young people, living on the margins of society, each attempting to be their best possible selves while pushing back against the forces of poverty, the criminal justice system, the failures of America's social services, and the prevailing winds of racial tension. Their friendship is a delight, their resilience empowering, but the story is steeped in the truths of where and when we live. This is a play for those looking to reflect all aspects of their community in programming.