←Recommendations of Triptych - A Love Story in Three Acts

An unconventional love story with a touch of whimsy, Sam Heyman has given us a trio of endearing yet complex characters who believably fall in love with each other over the course of three acts. I had so much fun bouncing around time with these characters, and was engaged in their burgeoning exploration of polyamory. A narrator adds a lovely and delightful tone to the story. Wonderful work!

Three is not a crowd in this funny and charming one-act with three characters who are meant for each other… or are they? They find their way to each other by exploring their own feelings and their entwined past, and what may happen. I saw a reading of it at the Valdez Theatre Conference, and it was greeted with well-earned laughs and love.

TRIPTYCH—with its earnest romanticism, insightful narration, and comic misunderstandings—hits every note of a traditional relationship-oriented short play. The twist is the polyamorous nature of this romance. Bisexuality and polyamory (both frequently misunderstood) are represented with both humor and respect: a delicate dance that playwright Sam Heyman executes with aplomb. The multi-perspective structure supports the play’s thesis: the more people in a relationship, the more care needs to be given to each person and their experience. I have hope for these three. A rom-com for the modern era.

I'm not sure I've EVER seen a poly relationship depicted in a play - which is exactly why this piece is essential reading! Not only will the charming characters look incredibly familiar to young, queer audiences, but I'm certain they'll open minds and hearts. Plus, it's just plain good writing! The play is consistently funny, containing a clever, chameleon-like narrator and many perfect opportunities for a dose of design and theatricality. The line "There weren’t pronouns neo enough to evade his erotic embargo" nearly killed me! hahaha! I love the way it comes full circle by the end. Wonderful...

"Triptych" is a lovely and funny comedy that takes on the perils of love triangles and open relationships with great care and humor. The use of a narrator helps preserve some of Sam Heyman's terrific prose from the short story (from which this was adapted). While narrators on stage are rarely an effective storytelling device, here Heyman uses it to perfection.
This is a terrific play for four actors that absolutely deserves a production.
P.S. It also includes one of the greatest stage directions since "Exeunt, pursued by a bear":
"PHILLIP finally erupts from his cloister of limbs."

Bravo...

What a fresh and surprising look at the complexity of attraction. Among these three characters we experience the fear of taking risks, the willingness to attempt risks, and the value of acceptance. These are vivid, complex, and engaging characters. It was a real joy to share their most intriguing journeys.

Heyman pulls off a bit of a miracle here. Adapting one’s own fiction is a trap filled with even more traps. Devices used in prose, such as omniscient narrators telling us what characters are thinking, feeling, doing are often deadly on stage.

NOT HERE!!! This omniscient narrator moves the proceedings along with aplomb! The characters themselves have great quirks, rich histories, and complex relationships. And oh, such wants!!!

It’s an object lesson in adaptation and omniscient direct address on stage. Better, it’s a delightfully human story. You will smile!

Triptych has such remarkable, refreshing character motivation and subtlety. I was enthralled by serendipitous meeting of these three very likable, intriguing people. The dialogue is sharp and witty, and I was pleasantly surprised at how the narrator contributes to this very modern story by offering insight into the complexities of the intertwined relationships. It has a wonderful ending, as well!