←Recommendations of The Pilon

The world of sports cards has so much vernacular that, at times, this play felt like masterful high fantasy, instantly immersing me in a subculture I knew nothing about. What really sings in this script, however, are the characters, who yearn and struggle in gorgeous, deeply human ways. Even when the stakes are more or less financial, you can feel the human heartbeat behind each decision. I really believe this tense script has something for everyone, from reconciliation to romance! Fantastic!

Zach Barr's THE PILON is, by far, one of most engaging plays I've read in a while! The attention paid to the vernacular and details of card collecting immersed me in the hobby while not overwhelming me. Such a cool niche for the subject of a stage play. Moreover, weaving the play's LGBTQ+ characters/themes into the hobby proved captivating. A wonderfully wholesome triumph! (P.S. As one raised in the Pacific Northwest, I adored the play's setting and Seattle-isms!)

"RPA" = rookie patch autograph; "slabbed" = professionally graded and sealed in plastic case. 1st 1/4 of the play immersion in world of sports trading card personality types and lingo; dynamics of sexual attraction and jealousy and fandom and competition and greed extend from this foundation skillfully. Final scene seals the quality deal: theatrically interweaving the commerce of fandom/collecting with the sheer love the game. Delightful.

I was able to see this in Chicago as performed by Red Theater and enjoyed myself greatly. I'm not especially into sports, let alone sports memorabilia, but the community that grows around the shop where most of the show takes place, and the passion the characters feel for their pastime, makes it universal. The Red Theater put together a wonderfully detailed set, but it would be an easy show to mount for any small theater - it's all about the people.

LITERALLY someone tell me why I'm crying about sports cards right now!? This play masterfully drops you into the center of a niche hobby and lovingly guides you towards its conclusions about making meaning of things in life (and whether that meaning is objective or subjective). The characters are also just gorgeous: well-rounded and flawed but in a way that makes you root for them all the more. Also there's a twist and I didn't see it coming and I WAS BOTH GOOPED AND GAGGED. Well done.

Had the pleasure of seeing Red Theater's premiere of this script in Chicago. Thoughtful, caring and adeptly written. Barr's skill is at full display in a script that masterfully draws on the parallels and examinations of growing and discovering a personal identity through the world of trading cards.

Moments of levity and joy, heart break, yearning, hope and even a few surprises. I cannot recommend this script enough.

I saw a beautiful production of this play yesterday at Red Theater in Chicago. The characters are superbly drawn- flesh-and-blood, dimensional people in a story with tremendous heart. As intermission came, I felt so grateful that there was a second half of the story yet to come- not just curious about how the play would end, but grateful to spend more time with these terrific people. There's a lot of fun in this play, but my overall takeaway is its warmth. And I know nothing about baseball.

The Pilon is nerdy, hilarious, and moving. As an ardent fan of Zach Barr's work, this play is my personal favorite. The twists and reveals, family drama, romantic comedy, and community-care-network of it all remain fresh and exciting on second and third reads, and don't get me started on how fun this play was to experience with a live audience!

A beautiful read and a play full of twists and turns that focus on happiness, joy and kindness, this play is a breath of fresh air. Barr has created a world I could live in for hours, with characters that feel real and organic and a setting that's cozy and welcoming. While I know nothing of baseball or basketball trading cards, I would want to visit this shop and know these people. A fantastic play, I highly recommend!

This play is about such a niche subculture but Barr does a great job at introducing us to this world without dumbing anything down. This play is about trading cards but it's also about so much more. It's a play about being true to yourself and taking risks to let others know who you are. It's so refreshing to read a play with trans characters where their transness is hardly commented on. This play is an opportunity for trans actors to play thoughtful roles that aren't about their trauma.