←Recommendations of Tennessee Wet Rub

KIM E. RUYLE captures the essence of the racial prejudices in the 1950s with a strong and interesting play about the plight of the negro, young love of a kind not tolerated by white folks, American values and religious convictions, and the different cultural values within America. “Tennessee Wet Rub” has much to offer. There is truth and honesty in Bertha and Hank, as their convictions are tested. A negro boy and a white girl struggle to find their way with their own prejudices and beliefs. I absolutely LOVED this play! BRAVO!!!

Kim Ruyle starts to tell a story you think you know. A story about backwoods folk who are stuck fast to their bible, their superstitions, their traditions and their prejudices. But then he throws one delicious curve after another to introduce you to people who discover they are capable of change, capable of growth and capable of forming friendship and finding love in the most unexpected ways. A real charmer from start to finish. Highly recommended.

Eat first. Just something to tide you over until after. If you don’t, you’re gonna be HUNGRY!

Racism collides with racial misconceptions when long-time rural married encounter a young mixed-race couple. Suddenly, prejudices are overturned by people, but everyone is still beautifully complicated and flawed - the characters are sadly more willing to learn than actual humans.

Ruyle effortlessly creates an atmosphere simultaneously cozy and menacing. The tension simmers with the bbq sauce and the ensuing narrative feast is more than satisfying.

With the barest of nods to Bus Stop and The Petrified Forest, Ruyle plunges us into his own unique and evocative stormbound frozen moment in time where cultures and decency and hope and prejudice collide. The characters are tenderly drawn (particularly Bertha, born to be a matriarch but never having had the chance...yet.) Cherished recipes, past mistakes and desires for the future are cautiously shared. It's an achingly beautiful play.

This is such an intense, gritty, claustrophobic and at times as sweet as Hanks dry rub itself, downright excellent play! I can clearly see this being made into a film, but as a play it stands up perfectly in Hank and Bertha's old barn/bbq restaurant. The mood darkens just as Martha describes the same darkness descending on their home, but at times the light returns as does the power. In it's heart this is a tale of friendship, love and breaking down seemingly unbreakable barriers. Simply stunning!

Ruyle ramps up the tension, then allows us to relax just long enough to ramp up the tension again. This whole play keeps you uncomfortable in all the right ways. We shouldn't be comfortable with these situations! Storms of weather. Storms of social constructs. There were tears in my eyes by the final scene. Nothing is wrapped up in a pretty bow, but this play is truly a gift.

Important plays like this one bring cosmic issues down to a human level. Here five people marooned overnight in a dilapidated restaurant must figure out how to maintain their individual integrity while dealing with the constraints of society, religion, and the law and the vital question of how properly to prepare barbecued ribs. As the storm outside abates, it is obvious that some dreams will be shattered while on other fronts there is considerable hope for the future. A very satisfying, beautifully written play with memorable characters whose voices will long linger in the mind's ear.