←Recommendations of 153

153 pulls at you in so many ways. As others have said, it plays to every audience member in the house, but also just holds a mirror to some of us even more closely. As artists we hold that mirror so closely to ourselves that it sometimes gets too fogged up, but plays like Martin's 153 clear away the fog and allows us to see all too clearly that inner self that we sometimes tuck away too tightly.

An exquisitely charming vignette about three stages in our journey through life and what we come to learn as we age, and how we look back on our younger selves. Though the character(s) is/are gay, his/their experience can apply to anyone, gay or straight. Steven Martin has an effortless gift for characterization, dialogue, and pacing, and I'd love to see this performed. The title, for the math-challenged among us like myself, refers to . . . .

I love '153' by Steven Martin. It is beautifully crafted with its intimate, intense and personal dialogue that is relatable for each of us. It forces us to look within and ultimately with self reflection and soul searching find the part of us we've been missing, hiding or yet to discover. '153' leaves you determined to be kinder to who you were, who you are now and hopeful, for who you are to become. A truly wonderful play for any festival.

This surprising, emotionally effective play would speak to a variety of gay men in your audience, to guys from different generations -- young, middle age and senior. A multi-generational spectacle that reminds me of Three Tall Women, Martin's play forces gay men to react to their present situation and think about their choices and actions in the past. Have we lived fully? If the answer is No, if you're feeling some regret and sadness, then this play may force the gay men in your audience to (re)examine their life, love more. Just perfect for your LGBTQ festival.

Martin is SO GOOD in everything he offers, but 153 is particularly special because of how much he shares with we the audience. Theater is supposed to be intimate and deeply personal, and we are truly gifted with a warts and all self-examination. Better yet, it's a fascinating exploration to which any audience member can relate: Who are we now? Who were we? Who will we become? Martin gives those intense moments of grief and self doubt equal time with moments of light and hopefulness, and the world is better for it.