←Recommendations of THE OTHER SIDE

Jack Levine, with a tremendous economy of language, crafts a gripping minimalist play open to interpretation. Who is the old man, who is the younger man? Are they different or are they the same person in different stages of life? Can wisdom truly be passed on or are we destined to walk our own path of mistakes? Bittersweet and reflective.

Concise. Thoughtful. Poignant.

Jack Levine has created a minute of reflection and juxtaposition that will make audience think and feel. Life goes by so quickly. Every moment counts.

Beautiful piece; simple, short, and poignant. I am still a “Young Man” myself so unable to comment on both experiences, but I found myself both moved and reminded of my relationships with those in my life in “older” generations (relatives, mentors, etc.). Masterful, profoundly executed, and a piece I’d love to see produced.

There was a moment in my life, after becoming a mother, when I realized that no matter how I tried to warn my kids of what's to come, or advise them on what my lived experience has taught me that they should (or shouldn't) do, they will never listen to me, just as I didn't listen to my parents, because we all insist on figuring it out and learning lessons for ourselves. This one-minute play is the dramatization of that fact. Simple but profound.

A interesting take on the divide between the generations. You almost want to know what events made up their lives to bring them to this particular point but even though you don't, as a reader you can open up your own imagination to decide what brought both characters to that point and sometimes that is what makes great theatre, the idea to imagine rather than just be told the story! A lovely short piece.

A short, moving piece for two actors. I especially like that in many ways, this works as a neutral or open-ended scene, allowing actors and a director to determine the specific circumstances. Depending on the choices, the piece provides interesting and alternative nuances. A great addition to short play festivals!

As I read the ending, I instantly thought of so many variations in playing this. There are a myriad of truths here and in all combinations - they compose a life. Read it (produce it) and then sit on a stool or a blanket and have a nice, long think.

A sorrowful and yet gleeful meditation on life. This piece manages to capture both the joy and bitterness that comes with lived experiences. A delightful and poignant examination with a beautifully ironic end beat.

Simultaneously clear and open to interpretation, Levine has created a specific turning point: the moment youth abandons age. Is the relationship familial, platonic, romantic? Is the Young Man bitter or wistful; does he long for adventure or can’t he wait to escape? Does the Old Man want him to stay or does he secretly want the him to spread his wings? Decisions, decisions. Whatever adventure you choose, it will be resonant and moving.

This reminds me of the old "open scene" acting exercises I used to do as a student. There is so much being said with very little blocking and dialogue...and depending on the artists who collaborate on this piece, the meanings could be very different than what I found as I read. I bet it would be interesting to make this show part of a longer night of shows and have it open and close the show with different casts/design teams to see what they come up with! Love the possibilities with this!