←Recommendations of Jean Yeets Her Hawaiian Shirt into the Ocean

06.25.25 - There's a shifting of plates that occurs here. Both tectonic and relationship based. Greg Romero does it with subtlety and nuance, characters sometimes saying more with no words than with. The silences creating a tension that needs release, much like an eruption would do. The buildup is impressive and the events that occur throughout providing both release and revelation (Roger's reveal, Abbie's later unveiling). All these things both explain and drive further questions. Quite a play.

Greg Romero has the rare gift among writers to be able to convey ideas with as few words or actions as possible and still reach the depths of meaning to everyone watching or listening. I've had the privilege of seeing his plays in readings over the years at the Inge New Play Lab and Valdez Theatre Conference, and each time I have come away informed and inspired. I can only imagine what will transpire when I see a full production of any of his plays, and this one would be on the top of my list.

The way this piece creates intense, compacted meaning is simply breathtaking. So many moments pass in silence and gentleness, with visuals that evoke a raw sort of wonderment. Then there are moments that shock, that bring in visions of man and nature at their most violent. It's going to take me a while to think through what this play is telling me, but it is telling me something elemental and powerful. Astonishing work.

Wonderfully off kilter and yet deeply grounded in Jean, the strong and finely drawn main character. I was ready to follow her into the future and see where she would go.

It is difficult to envision a play that is both economical and expansive at the same time. It is difficult to imagine cataclysms and sharing some food on the way to a hotel room to be related. It is difficult to envision many things that seem like they shouldn't fit thematically, and yet in the hands of Greg Romero what is difficult to imagine becomes so easy to conceive. It feels like these seemingly contradictory pieces could only ever fit together. A marvelous play. Hilarious &heartbreaking.

Simple, delicate language. Sparse dialogue, leaving a lot of negative space while delivering an enormous Dramatic and emotional impact. Lush stage directions, rich with prose that delivers evocative sensory information. This play is so beautiful, profoundly sentimental, but also light and playful, despite dealing with a very serious issue.

I had the good fortune of reading and responding to this piece as part of the 2024 Mid-America Theater Conference. This powerful piece manages to captivate, startle and provide hope in a remarkably short period of time. The moments of subtle comedy make the drama of the piece all the more impactful. It feels like a reminder to abuse survivors that they are not alone, while never belaboring the point. Beautiful, powerul play.

I heard about this play before I read it, from someone who found the MATC workshop reading very moving. It was a great read, and I would love to see it staged! The play begins with a breakup and ends with a new platonic supportive relationship forming as two women attempt to heal from their experiences of domestic violence by sharing an excellent crab bisque. Along the way, an abuser is revealed to be a zombie and characters interact with nature as all await a volcanic eruption.