←Recommendations of The Forgotten Language of the Handshake or The Torso Play

  • Brendan Bourque-Sheil: The Forgotten Language of the Handshake or The Torso Play by Rachel Bykowski
    “

    You know that feeling when you’re reading something so stimulating that you keep having to stand up, walk around and just take a swim in the ideas you’ve been given? This play gave me that like four times. Bykowski builds a darkly comical, but frighteningly plausible future, that’s dizzying in its scope, and fascinatingly reflective of the present. The love for Theatre as an art form, and the drive to push that art form forward are vividly on display in every scene from The Torso Play.

    You know that feeling when you’re reading something so stimulating that you keep having to stand up, walk around and just take a swim in the ideas you’ve been given? This play gave me that like four times. Bykowski builds a darkly comical, but frighteningly plausible future, that’s dizzying in its scope, and fascinatingly reflective of the present. The love for Theatre as an art form, and the drive to push that art form forward are vividly on display in every scene from The Torso Play.

    ”
  • David Davila: The Forgotten Language of the Handshake or The Torso Play by Rachel Bykowski
    “

    WOW. I'm completely blown away by this play. This play takes the ideals of a capitalistic world and advances them to their natural conclusion. It's a profound tale that examines the American Dream through the lens of feudalism as we fall in love with these desperate characters who must choose between their ideals and survival... because what could be more capitalistic than that? I am completely and utterly astonished. Bravo!

    WOW. I'm completely blown away by this play. This play takes the ideals of a capitalistic world and advances them to their natural conclusion. It's a profound tale that examines the American Dream through the lens of feudalism as we fall in love with these desperate characters who must choose between their ideals and survival... because what could be more capitalistic than that? I am completely and utterly astonished. Bravo!

    ”
  • Cheryl Bear: The Forgotten Language of the Handshake or The Torso Play by Rachel Bykowski
    “

    A powerful look at the potential future of a country citizens plagued by capitalism, debt and what we would do to find equality for the public or a better situation for ourselves. Well done.

    A powerful look at the potential future of a country citizens plagued by capitalism, debt and what we would do to find equality for the public or a better situation for ourselves. Well done.

    ”
  • Eugenie Carabatsos: The Forgotten Language of the Handshake or The Torso Play by Rachel Bykowski
    “

    I was fortunate enough to see a virtual reading of this play as part of Landing Theatre's New American Voices Festival. It's a gripping, futuristic ride that provides complex and intriguing roles for women and non-binary performers. The world building is done intricately and seamlessly as it brings themes of capitalism, beauty standards, and most importantly, what it means to be a family, to the forefront.

    I was fortunate enough to see a virtual reading of this play as part of Landing Theatre's New American Voices Festival. It's a gripping, futuristic ride that provides complex and intriguing roles for women and non-binary performers. The world building is done intricately and seamlessly as it brings themes of capitalism, beauty standards, and most importantly, what it means to be a family, to the forefront.

    ”
  • Playwrights Foundation: The Forgotten Language of the Handshake or The Torso Play by Rachel Bykowski
    “

    The community of national & local readers for the 44th annual Bay Area Playwrights Festival enthusiastically recommends THE FORGOTTEN LANGUAGE OF THE HANDSHAKE OR THE TORSO PLAY as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation out of 755 plays. We were deeply moved by the artistic merits and skill with the world-building of a futuristic dystopia with surprising twists & turns. We were compelled by the play's promise detailing the extremes of capitalism with strong, complex roles for women. We hope this play is widely read, finds dedicated collaborators, and moves swiftly towards production....

    The community of national & local readers for the 44th annual Bay Area Playwrights Festival enthusiastically recommends THE FORGOTTEN LANGUAGE OF THE HANDSHAKE OR THE TORSO PLAY as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation out of 755 plays. We were deeply moved by the artistic merits and skill with the world-building of a futuristic dystopia with surprising twists & turns. We were compelled by the play's promise detailing the extremes of capitalism with strong, complex roles for women. We hope this play is widely read, finds dedicated collaborators, and moves swiftly towards production. #BAPF2021

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