←Recommendations of Night Witch

A gripping and vividly theatrical solo piece, Night Witch blends history, humor, and fierce storytelling into a powerful portrait of courage. George Sapio gives Masha a dynamic, commanding voice that is by turns witty, defiant, and deeply human. The play’s direct address draws the audience in, while its harrowing wartime experiences resonate with emotional force. A compelling, unforgettable monologue.

Masha Pavlov is an engaging character, proud of her role as a light bomber pilot fighting back the German invasion of the Soviet Union, and still excited to describe the giddiness of flight and the machines that took her into the air, even as she recounts the humiliation of official misogyny, ill-fitting uniforms, antiquated technology, no parachutes, the death of many of her fellow Night Witches, and a state that swept their heroism under the rug once the war was over.

A phenomenal one woman show that reconstructs the truth of a hidden mission of historical valor, silenced by the sexist Soviet post WW 11 regime! This is a story that needed to be told, and Sapio has given us that gift! A wonderful story, well executed!

Reading just the extract of this play was riveting. Sapio keeps it moving along at a clip, punctuating the female pilot's story with other Night Witches' stories, photographs and demonstrations --all with a wry humor that will draw audiences in. Bravo.

A remarkable, yet true tale of bravery and valuable reminder of the horrors of war. George Sapio has impeccably pieced together the history of Soviet Air Force’s all-female fighter pilot regiment in WWII for this one-act solo performance. A certain amount of bravery and daring will be required for any actor attempting to tackle this role, but the rewards could be immense. Given current world events, now would be a great time for someone to produce this important work.

One of the most amazing stories to come out of WW2 is this regiment of female pilots who had the Nazi’s quaking in their boots. I have long had a fascination with the Night Witches, but never have I seen such a well constructed representation of the women who made up that fighting force. George Sapio has delivered a history lesson and a personal testimony in a beautifully rendered one woman show.

It can be hard to have one character engage an audience for the entirety of a performance, but George does it and dies it incredibly well! You are drawn into Masha's story to the point where if you close your eyes you can see the scenes she describes in such wonderful detail. I've found frequently that one of George's great skills is to create characters you want to watch and stir emotions. For me, Masha is a prime example of that. Its a story that should be seen and needs to be experienced!

While combating sexism and Nazism, an exceptional woman's true story in the fighter planes is delivered with thrilling narration. Your imagination takes flight with every memory of this gutsy hero that deserves our attention, her unabashed courage in the face of death is unforgettable.

A flying tour de force! A play that celebrates in high style, the historic contribution of these undervalued heroes! I learned, I admired, I was compelled, as I followed this amazing woman's story. Thank you to the playwright for finally telling this important soaring tale.

A completely engrossing one-woman show that blends an overlooked part of history with wit, verve, and emotional honesty: Sapio is certainly a gifted storyteller with an engaging style. The character of Masha comes through beautifully through this historical journey - she would be a treat for any actor to play. I was particularly struck by how much information she and the play conveyed without ever feeling dry or overly expositional. A high quality read from start to finish, and I hope to see it produced very soon.