←Recommendations of Mouthpiece

Super suspenseful, tautly written, subtle horror. I loved the theatrical world Vanderark created here and that it was populated by queer folk with narratives that both honored that portion of their identities while also not focusing solely on it. The sharp, satirical commentary on the fine line between religion, faith, destructive fanaticism, and totalitarianism is clear but never heavy handed. I appreciated how this world dealt with recognizable and relevant themes while still existing outside of the baggage of specific present religious/governmental structures. In that sense, it took on a fabulistic, parable-like quality which served the story well.

Whip-smart and nothing short of spellbinding - I found myself hanging on every word of this darkly comic tennis match (if the losers of tennis matches got hacked to bits by assassins in the alley after the game, that is). Every time you think you have these deeply messy, flawed, totally captivating people figured out (who they are, what they want, what they'll do to get it, etc), Chris pulls the rug out from under you yet again. Can't wait to see where this goes!

Despite the fact the play tells you explicitly what to expect during its brisk running time, you still find yourself shocked at every turn of this dark comic/horror play. That is because Chris Vanderark is a wizard and this play is mesmerizing. Perform it in the round. Place it in a seedy warehouse with only one lightbulb hanging overhead. Put it in a traditional theater space. This play can flourish anywhere.

The pace of this suspenseful play performed in blistering two-person scenes absolutely mesmerized me (and everyone else) when I saw this performed in a reading. Each scene is an exploration of the abuses of power, and the snappy, menacing dialogue keep you entranced as the details of the story gradually unfold. Dark, horrifying and often funny, this is a powerful piece with little, to no, set requirements.