←Recommendations of Familiar

LeBlanc’s characters are so richly textured it’s hard to believe this is a work of fiction. My mother-in-law had dementia; moments in this play hit home. Really hard. Leblanc should be commended for handling such a terrifying and heartbreaking issue with such patience and kindness towards his characters. I feel like I know Lou. I highly recommend this work!

Damn, this hits hard. But beyond the sadness of watching your father forget who you are is the beauty of the candid conversation Jon is able to have with his father believing he is a stranger. The love between the two, though clouded by dementia, is clear and strong. "Pay attention more and worry less." Very good advice.

"Familiar" is a memorable short play that beautifully establishes dramatic irony to reach an audience's emotions. I feel such strong empathy for Jon, the son, in this father-and-son play. The restraint he shows is necessary, but it doesn't make it any less painful. And because of Robert J. LeBlanc's skills, an audience will recognize and understand the choices for Jon's restraint in "Familiar."

A lovely and heartbreaking short play about having a parent with dementia. LeBlanc's characters and their situation are so vivid and realistic that I feel like I know these two characters as people, as opposed to characters on page. No surprise that this play has had so many productions. Powerful and so well very done.

Robert and I discussed this play during his interview on my podcast and I knew I was going to read it at some point and I am so glad I did. There is a wonderful intertwining of moments that make you smile as Lou shares the memories he has of his life with a younger man and then the heartbreaking moments of realising that Lou doesn't recognise who he is. Sadly, it's a set of circumstances that will resonate with many but it's been told in such a delicate way that makes it a wonderfully emotional piece. Produce it, please?

"Familiar" touches on the pain a child has watching a parent with dementia, without taking you too far into it. There was a tremendous vulnerability and love in the character, Jon. LeBlanc manages to make Lou's story seem familiar but, brand new at the same time. I think this play should be on a few directors' bucket lists.

Dealing with a parent with dementia is devastating, but in FAMILIAR, LeBlanc gives us a beautifully poignant and believable exchange between a father and son that offers a different road map to communication, and perhaps a lesson in coping with the tragedy of a parent's memory loss. A powerful piece of writing!

Everything about this short play is amazing. I've seen it read live, I've read it a bunch of times, and every single time I feel the emotions that Jon feels throughout this wonderful short play. Watching my sister-in-law go through this with her mother makes me think of this play every single time she talks about her mom. The title of the play couldn't be more perfect. It's a brilliant piece of work, purposeful, thoughtful, and absolutely wonderful. Everyone should read, see, listen to this play.

I find such fear in the idea of forgetting. Yet, time makes clearing caches of us all, doesn't it? We can't stop that we'll forget, nor can we prevent our loved ones from forgetting. What we can do, and what we can hope for, is a love that itself will always exist, no matter who we are or where we are. Robert LeBlanc showcases a horrifying beauty in this play. To hear of someone's love for you with little pretense, to have one who remains no matter what... No matter the fear, there is love and hope here. Love. Hope.

ROBERT LEBLANC’s play, “Familiar”, is powerful, beautiful, sad, endearing, and a must-read and watch on stage or online. I saw this play produced and it was wonderful. I highly recommend this play!