←Recommendations of St. John of Suburbia

Does reality consist of our external actions, the menagerie of thoughts clamoring through our heads, or the narratives we tell ourselves and others? St. John of Suburbia soundly answers: all of the above. This highly inventive play takes us deep into the psyches of and narratives told by its principle characters, showing how all the raucous noise in our heads -- the stories we've told and heard, from Biblical ones to smut -- irrevocably shape our lives.

We have the great privilege of reading this piece as part of our Sunday evening play reading and it was fabulous to be a part of! Its a wonderfully quirky and unique piece that explores the lives of two writers of erotic fiction (or is it porn?) and the craziness that goes along with it. The wonderful dialogue moves quickly back and forth giving the piece a wonderful pace and drawing the audience into this fascinating and funny story. I highly recommend giving it a read!

A super fun, super meta trip back to the mid-90s. With the snappy dialogue and asides from various characters, it really felt like I was watching one of those obscure 90s comedies we all grew up watching on our parents VCR. Bray has written a quirky and memorable evening of theatre that'll stick in your head.

Stunning in its creativity and originality. Quirky, engaging characters tell (often directly to us) a tale of young love and the insecurities that come with it, and the desire to tell a story on one’s own terms. John Patrick Bray has done just that. A marvel!

These characters feel so much like characters I loved in the romantic comedies of the 90s. And as a fellow Gen Xer, I feel a kinship with the world of quirky accessories and cool zines displayed in this play. I honestly feel like this play IS a movie I loved and I need to pull the VHS tape out and watch it again so I can memorize the dialogue and say it along with the characters. This is love, and nostalgia, and yet still VERY original characters you will want to get to know!

John Patrick Bray's St. John of Suburbia is a well-crafted and unique story that is woven together with some strong dramatic moments as well as some laughs. The dialogue is swift and full of richness which allows for some great pacing of the action. I would love to see this staged! So many great elements for designers, actors, as well as directors.

Bray bridges connections, relationships, and ideas into a beautiful braid. The yearnings of youth mixed with the brightness of untold possibilities and the fears of the possible make for a stirring combination. An engaging and original play ripe for productions.

Okay, John. John , okay. I see you. A brilliantly captured variety of peculiarities. If you have ever wondered if there was any originality left in the world, READ THIS PLAY! Combinations of words never before uttered and situations never before encountered flutter about with such a causal ease that made me question if I was woefully out of touch. I heap praise upon Mr. Bray for this funny, fun, endearing play.

What an original and engaging exploration of youth and creativity and connection. Bray's rich language, quirky narrative, and layered characters are utterly compelling. Not to mention the best riff on "take your daughter to work day" that I have ever encountered.

John Patrick Bray follows his own character Dan's advice: "Do your thing. Be beautiful." And he does. He makes beauty out of werewolf porn, Zines and Grandma's teeth. The plot is deceptively straightforward: the first meet-the-parent goes very wrong and oh so very right all at once in one tightly constructed play that is unique, feminist, innocent, gritty, human, sweet and well, art.