Viewing

by Robin Rodriguez

One far-off “military engagement” in Vietnam.
One little girl.
One never-used funeral home sign: “Matheson & Son.”
Two bodies.
Two sets of childhood friends.
Three lovers.
A multitude of choices, secrets, and guilt.
A morgue prep room in summer, 1967, Greg announces that he’s volunteering to go to war. Or is it summer, 1965, and it’s Eric making that same announcement? But why would either sibling do such a...

One far-off “military engagement” in Vietnam.
One little girl.
One never-used funeral home sign: “Matheson & Son.”
Two bodies.
Two sets of childhood friends.
Three lovers.
A multitude of choices, secrets, and guilt.
A morgue prep room in summer, 1967, Greg announces that he’s volunteering to go to war. Or is it summer, 1965, and it’s Eric making that same announcement? But why would either sibling do such a thing? Patriotism? Guilt? Or maybe an escape from a place that will never recognize who you truly are.

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Viewing

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  • Nick Malakhow: Viewing by Robin Rodriguez
    “

    A beautiful, poignantly told, small story that is grounded in a very specifically rendered time and place. "Viewing" grapples with identity, feeling trapped, and forging one's own path
    Rodriguez infuses each character with a nuanced dose of humanity, and makes clear each character's desires and need to look for approval from others and, ultimately, acceptance of themselves. I'd love to see this produced and on its feet!

    A beautiful, poignantly told, small story that is grounded in a very specifically rendered time and place. "Viewing" grapples with identity, feeling trapped, and forging one's own path
    Rodriguez infuses each character with a nuanced dose of humanity, and makes clear each character's desires and need to look for approval from others and, ultimately, acceptance of themselves. I'd love to see this produced and on its feet!

    ”
  • J. Joseph Cox: Viewing by Robin Rodriguez
    “

    Why do we go to war? Not as countries, but as the men and women who take up the fight. Is it to repay a debt? To fulfill or subvert expectations? To escape or to hide? Or is it an attempt to make things right in all the wrong ways? Rodriguez portrays a group of small-town Kansans as they attempt to unjumble decisions made and those still in the works during a tumultuous period in American history. The empathy and theatricality in which she approaches this piece makes me eager to see it on its feet.

    Why do we go to war? Not as countries, but as the men and women who take up the fight. Is it to repay a debt? To fulfill or subvert expectations? To escape or to hide? Or is it an attempt to make things right in all the wrong ways? Rodriguez portrays a group of small-town Kansans as they attempt to unjumble decisions made and those still in the works during a tumultuous period in American history. The empathy and theatricality in which she approaches this piece makes me eager to see it on its feet.

    ”
  • daniella vinitski mooney: Viewing by Robin Rodriguez
    “

    VIEWING is a lovely, poetic and restrained piece on small town life and love, and dances between the maccabre and the tenable. Here the title speaks to both modes of both death and longing. VIEWING is a gorgeous and skillfully written work, tender and heartbreaking, and is lifted by its language and the epic call of its characters.

    VIEWING is a lovely, poetic and restrained piece on small town life and love, and dances between the maccabre and the tenable. Here the title speaks to both modes of both death and longing. VIEWING is a gorgeous and skillfully written work, tender and heartbreaking, and is lifted by its language and the epic call of its characters.

    ”