←Recommendations of WE FLY

  • Cassie M. Seinuk: WE FLY by TJ Young
    “

    A remarkable play that once I started reading, I couldn't put down. This play is an effective satire of the times, poignant but also ridiculously funny. The characters are reach and range from clearly defined characters to ensembles of people that jump right off the page. I'd describe this play as a Parks and Rec Town Hall Meeting meets Our Town meets a Spike Lee movie with magical realism and centered around Black American History. I'd love to see this magic on stage!

    A remarkable play that once I started reading, I couldn't put down. This play is an effective satire of the times, poignant but also ridiculously funny. The characters are reach and range from clearly defined characters to ensembles of people that jump right off the page. I'd describe this play as a Parks and Rec Town Hall Meeting meets Our Town meets a Spike Lee movie with magical realism and centered around Black American History. I'd love to see this magic on stage!

    ”
  • Von Markarian: WE FLY by TJ Young
    “

    It is stunning from front to back. It could be performed with nearly nothing and have as strong an impact as a production with millions of dollars behind it. Young’s unrelenting satire and grounded truth, reflective of our world, create an odyssey of culture, that blazes through the abuse of publicity and monetization our world celebrates in tragedy while forgetting those truly affected until all we remember is a name we once saw in the news. Young's voice pierces straight to the heart.

    It is stunning from front to back. It could be performed with nearly nothing and have as strong an impact as a production with millions of dollars behind it. Young’s unrelenting satire and grounded truth, reflective of our world, create an odyssey of culture, that blazes through the abuse of publicity and monetization our world celebrates in tragedy while forgetting those truly affected until all we remember is a name we once saw in the news. Young's voice pierces straight to the heart.

    ”
  • Abe Johnson: WE FLY by TJ Young
    “

    I had goosebumps reading this from the first page to the last. A singular play. A ferocious, precise, richly layered satire that has a finger firmly pressed on every theatrical pressure-point. I'm thrilled at the kaleidoscope of forms being played with— part documentary, part Plantation historical reenactment, part rapture-story, (part Beyonce concert!?! Part Andy Cohen roast!?!)-- not to mention the pinpointed joke placements and a history that still finds a way to haunt every word. Young builds a world that is so expansive and supernatural, with tension and atmosphere ramping into that...

    I had goosebumps reading this from the first page to the last. A singular play. A ferocious, precise, richly layered satire that has a finger firmly pressed on every theatrical pressure-point. I'm thrilled at the kaleidoscope of forms being played with— part documentary, part Plantation historical reenactment, part rapture-story, (part Beyonce concert!?! Part Andy Cohen roast!?!)-- not to mention the pinpointed joke placements and a history that still finds a way to haunt every word. Young builds a world that is so expansive and supernatural, with tension and atmosphere ramping into that incredible retina-burn ending. Sprawling!!! Brilliant!!! Firestorm talent!!!

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    ”
  • Dane Futrell: WE FLY by TJ Young
    “

    I love this play! It fervently takes from dramatic tradition but also paves its own innovative path through social commentary and complex dialogue. I'm excited to read more from TJ, his voice is super intriguing.

    I love this play! It fervently takes from dramatic tradition but also paves its own innovative path through social commentary and complex dialogue. I'm excited to read more from TJ, his voice is super intriguing.

    ”
  • Mora V. Harris: WE FLY by TJ Young
    “

    This play is is awesome! Richly complex, viciously funny, and totally captivating. I saw the reading at the Pittsburgh Public Theater and can't wait to see it fully staged one day!

    This play is is awesome! Richly complex, viciously funny, and totally captivating. I saw the reading at the Pittsburgh Public Theater and can't wait to see it fully staged one day!

    ”
  • University of Pittsburgh: WE FLY by TJ Young
    “

    This play is extraordinary. It really captures our current climate in which word spreads so fast via social media and pseudo-news outlets, that the truth (& humanity) gets lost in the shuffle. I directed a reading of it that elicited such a strong emotional response from the audience that folks were yelling out to the characters. 8 actors play 30 roles in this fast-paced mockumentary-style piece. (-Ricardo Vila-Roger)

    This play is extraordinary. It really captures our current climate in which word spreads so fast via social media and pseudo-news outlets, that the truth (& humanity) gets lost in the shuffle. I directed a reading of it that elicited such a strong emotional response from the audience that folks were yelling out to the characters. 8 actors play 30 roles in this fast-paced mockumentary-style piece. (-Ricardo Vila-Roger)

    ”