←Recommendations of Escobar's Hippo

A razor sharp adaptation of an absurdist classic that not only does justice to the original but elevates the themes in a way that makes them painfully relevant to the modern age. Strikingly funny and deliriously madcap; this piece is undeniable genius.

A fantastic adaptation of Ionesco's Rhinoceros that thrills! Fantastic!

I love this adaptation of Eugene Ionesco's Rhinoceros and I can't wait to see a production! While this play, could be produced in a variety of ways, it deserves to be produced in a large house that can accommodate the theatrically sculpted world it lives in.

This show is a delight. It's funny and touching and worth your time. It's the kind of show that audiences get a kick out of in the theatre, and that they talk about on social media after the show. A producer looking for a new script would do well with this one.

The absurdity of this play makes it even more powerful. The idea of humanity surrendering to a lumbering herd of hippopotami is reminiscent of Eugene Ionesco's "Rhinoceros," but with the unique and deeply incisive viewpoint that Franky Gonzalez brings to every story he weaves. The laugh-out-loud comedy in both the dialogue and stage directions takes us from laughter to tears in the moment, and the Brooksian slapstick of the townspeople as they confront the hippos and their own response is just one reason to bring this work to the stage. Oh, if only Zero Mostel was here...

A stellar and provocative play to stand tall (well...on all fours) with its more horned cousin! Gonzalez wears the inspiration of Ionesco on his sleeve in the best way, and skillfully adapts the old story for a Colombian setting, adding loads of additional meat and symbolism to chew on in the process. Humanity giving into its baser instincts has never been more fun. Or frightening. Chilling, efficiently hilarious, and captivating, I can’t wait to see this on a stage.

Who knew the end of humanity would be so fun AND disturbing? Gonzalez is one of the most flexible playwrights of our time, leaping from one genre to another, and trying on styles like so much clothing. He has the amazing ability to glide effortlessly into any style he chooses to play in. Intelligent thematic shout outs, outrageous theatricality, zany but smart comedy, social commentary, and (dare I say it) a bit of prophecy, too. This play will leave residue in your brain. I’m going to be untangling it for a long time. Highly recommended.

Oh wow, I can feel my brain tingling after reading this wonderfully absurdist satire, yet another impressive offering from Gonzalez's endlessly fertile imagination. The play references a famous one by Ionesco but goes to very different and unexpected places. The multiple metaphors wind around each other, expand and contract, and leave the reader thinking about more issues relevant to humanity and society then I would care to count. An impressive tour-de-force with sharp humor and striking visuals throughout.

Gonzalez’s “Escobar’s Hippo” is a strong absurdist adaptation of pioneer playwright Eugene Ionesco and his play “Rhinoceros.” The beauty of this script is knowledge of Ionesco and his work isn’t a prerequisite to enjoy “Escobar’s Hippo.” This piece is didactic in a way, as it teaches the audience about humanity, society and the corrosiveness of mob mentality and its influence over our decision making. With this being a work in progress, I cannot wait to see where Gonzalez takes this piece next. One to keep your eye on.

A strong absurdist play which stands as both a tribute to the masters of yesteryears and as a bold new work that challenges our perception of our place in this world. Franky takes an old work like Ionesco Rhinoceros and turns it over, gives it a lift, and creates a new classic in the process.