←Recommendations of The Dog

  • Dave Osmundsen: The Dog by Ricardo Soltero-Brown
    “

    Two unnamed characters (referred to only as A and B) dance around the questions that most, if not all, couples are forced to confront about their loyalty to one another and what both are willing to sacrifice for each other. Their avoidance, captured with fast-paced, artfully inarticulate dialogue, is aggravated when A's dog violently attacks B. In addition to the back and forth between these two, there are razor-sharp monologues about love and devotion--the monologues to the dog are particularly strong, as well as the opening monologue. A messy play about messy, flawed people.

    Two unnamed characters (referred to only as A and B) dance around the questions that most, if not all, couples are forced to confront about their loyalty to one another and what both are willing to sacrifice for each other. Their avoidance, captured with fast-paced, artfully inarticulate dialogue, is aggravated when A's dog violently attacks B. In addition to the back and forth between these two, there are razor-sharp monologues about love and devotion--the monologues to the dog are particularly strong, as well as the opening monologue. A messy play about messy, flawed people.

    ”
  • Lee R. Lawing: The Dog by Ricardo Soltero-Brown
    “

    The Dog is a darkly funny and horrifying cautionary tale about one engagement derailed by one dog's violent and unpredictable reaction to their owner's engagement. Relationships are hard enough as it is and when you bring any of the family into it, be it human or canine, you are bound to face those who approve and those who do not. What A and B find out during the play is just how far anyone will go to appease one you are promising yourself to for that life-time commitment though sickness and health until parted by death.

    The Dog is a darkly funny and horrifying cautionary tale about one engagement derailed by one dog's violent and unpredictable reaction to their owner's engagement. Relationships are hard enough as it is and when you bring any of the family into it, be it human or canine, you are bound to face those who approve and those who do not. What A and B find out during the play is just how far anyone will go to appease one you are promising yourself to for that life-time commitment though sickness and health until parted by death.

    ”
  • Walter Friendly: The Dog by Ricardo Soltero-Brown
    “

    I've never read anything from Ricardo that is more fully realized than this. Every tool from his arsenal is on display- you know what I'm talking about: The wordplay, jazzy dialogue (It's about the notes you DON'T play!) absurd premises, surreal elements, the combative relationship with... relationships, symbolism that leaks into the reality of the play in unexpected, literal, hilarious ways. But THE DOG is different in the discipline, in the restraint, with which these tools are applied. There's nothing experimental about this play. Everything is in tune, in balance, supporting the whole.

    I've never read anything from Ricardo that is more fully realized than this. Every tool from his arsenal is on display- you know what I'm talking about: The wordplay, jazzy dialogue (It's about the notes you DON'T play!) absurd premises, surreal elements, the combative relationship with... relationships, symbolism that leaks into the reality of the play in unexpected, literal, hilarious ways. But THE DOG is different in the discipline, in the restraint, with which these tools are applied. There's nothing experimental about this play. Everything is in tune, in balance, supporting the whole.

    ”
  • Julia Gagne: The Dog by Ricardo Soltero-Brown
    “

    THE DOG is a funny, intelligent, and at times horrifying play. Love between 2 people is complex, and a third entity that also loves and is loved can insert itself and complicate things even further. Saltero-Brown has a keen sense of language and dialogue, and paints colorful pictures with a minimum of fluff. It may take a minute for the reader to be let in on the situation, but once they are 'in', they will definitely have some fun. I recommend this play, and think it especially suited to a college/young adult production.

    THE DOG is a funny, intelligent, and at times horrifying play. Love between 2 people is complex, and a third entity that also loves and is loved can insert itself and complicate things even further. Saltero-Brown has a keen sense of language and dialogue, and paints colorful pictures with a minimum of fluff. It may take a minute for the reader to be let in on the situation, but once they are 'in', they will definitely have some fun. I recommend this play, and think it especially suited to a college/young adult production.

    ”