←Recommendations of THE DELAYS

What a tightly, cleanly structured play that zeroes in on a profoundly interesting constellation of people. Accuardi illustrates the interconnectedness of humanity and other major themes--upward mobility, identity, the ways people tie socio-economic class to self worth, definitions of home--in a series of well-observed and intricately detailed scenes. While the focus here is definitely on drawing vivid characters, forward momentum of narrative and theme (using the word "forward" is ironic with the backwards chronology, of course!) is never sacrificed. A play of real beauty and subtlety.

There is a gorgeous, almost voyeuristic feel to this play—at moments, I really felt like I was eavesdropping on conversations in an airport terminal. It has a simple but sublime structure, going back in time with each act, providing a little more context for the one that came before. Nothing extravagant happens (which, I'd argue, is the conceit - a story about the only people in an airport who never go anywhere), and yet I found myself utterly riveted. The moment the three timelines come full circle is magical, and the doubling is brilliant. A surprisingly efficient, moving play.

A terrific capture of life in its reality. Wanting to take off, but sometimes getting stuck or tangled. Well done.

Structure, setting, and characters' history are at the forefront of this play filled with irony, hope, and disillusionment.

Sara Jean Accuardi has created characters who are all on the brink of starting new, not only a new year but also new opportunities. Their fear and excitement are palpable. Audiences, though, already know how some stories will turn out, and this dramatic irony only makes those characters' emotions more intense.

Pay attention to everything in "The Delays." There isn't a wasted action or line of dialogue.

In The Delays, it's always New Year's Eve and we're always left standing at the same sad airport gift shop. But a chain of characters take us backwards in time through missed opportunities and small victories. A poignant, funny, and beautifully written play.

Snapshots of life amongst 6 people showcase how small the world really is, even when it feels so large. Accuardi has mastered the naturalistic dialogue of each individual character allowing us to find nuance with every read.

An exquisitely crafted play about the wondrous complexity of human relationships, set in an airport gift shop over a span of twenty years. The Delays is both funny and poignant, and stays with you long after the final bows.