←Recommendations of Beauty & the Grit

This is a dynamic and explosive study of two characters and their toxic but (at least on one side) caring relationship. I saw a staged reading of this at the 2023 Midwest Dramatists Conference, and even several days later, I keep coming back to a line about things that are "spent" and a flower that's lost its petals. Very strong writing, and a rewarding challenge for two actors.

An absolutely beautify play written by the deft hand of the author of sixteen books of poetry! Rabas' script simply sings while delivery a brutal portrayal of romantic frustration and mental illness. You will never forget these characters, and while the journey they are on remains unresolved, their struggle for beauty and personal meaning remains universal and very moving. Just a great read for any theater wishing to explore obsessive compulsive behavior and bi-polar disorder. Basically, this a ten minute version of "Next To Normal" without the music, though the prose itself is entirely musical.

Another terrific play I caught at the 2023 Midwest Dramatists Conference. Two characters, seemingly mismatched, with clashing ideas of their future take us on a ride with lots of alternating funny and poignant moments. Both Liz and James are endearing in their own very different ways, and you can't help but want to know what will happen to them. Easy to stage -- should be done!

Wow, talk about the road trip from Hell... or to it. Kevin Rabas's clever and cringe-inducing -- in a good way -- short play has all the elements that make this pairing of Liz and James something any audience will find both hilarious and harrowing. What do they see in each other? Why are they even friends, much less a couple? But it's clear that there's something to this odd couple that is endearing and enduring, and I enjoyed every minute of it at the Midwest Dramatists Conference 2023.