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Nick Malakhow

Recommended by Nick Malakhow

  • Starter Pistol by Michael Gotch
    6 Jan. 2020
    “ A taut, well-structured, ready-to-produce play that organically unfolds in real time. The silences and transitions never feel contrived, and Gotch uses dialogue exquisitely as both a vehicle for characterization and as a driving force for his deliberately paced plot. Revelations and surprises come at perfectly-timed intervals, and each character is fully rendered and impressively captured. The end is appropriately chilling and a moment where you look back at the rest of the play and say "of course it was all leading up to this." A robust exploration of guns and toxic masculinity that never feels obvious or preachy. ”
  • Brawler by Walt McGough
    6 Jan. 2020
    “ A searing and tightly written exploration of masculinity refracted through addiction, athletics, and Greek-tragedy-worthy hubris. In three potent and to-the-point scenes, McGough poses many questions and offers no easy answers about the dangers of self-medication in the professional sports world. The dialogue moves at a brisk pace and reveals character elegantly as it propels the plot forward. I'd love to see this staged! ”
  • TARTARUS by Scott Sickles
    4 Jan. 2020
    “ As a longtime horror fan, I found this creepily excellent in all the right ways. The irregular pacing of the scenes kept me on my toes. The shorter pieces were unsettling punctuation marks for the more thorough character studies in the 10-15 minute scenes. Sickles also plays with theatricality and time/space in a way that allows for directors and designers to approach this as an exciting blank canvas. An excellent addition to the world of horror theater! ”
  • Where the Lovelight Gleams by Kyle J. McCloskey
    3 Jan. 2020
    “ An important story told in a boldly theatrical manner! These complex and multi dimensional characters have nuanced and subtle arcs. McCloskey has created dialogue that is at once naturalistic and rhythmically heightened. The stage directions are both huge/fantastical and exciting to imagine as a director and designer! I hope to have the opportunity to follow this play's journey. ”
  • angel's share by Dominic Finocchiaro
    3 Jan. 2020
    “ This is a quiet and stunning small story about grief. Finocchiaro presents a fascinating sci-fi setup that serves the story well and doesn't distract from its human core. Once Stephen comes into the picture, mom and dad's interactions with him are potent and powerful. I was most impressed at how this play works both as an intimate and nuanced story with well-drawn and multi-dimensional characters, and as a powerful almost-parable about the realities of coping with loss. The ending was both surprising and extremely poignant. The last scene moved me quite a lot with its wise absence of sentimentality. ”
  • Gidion's Knot by Johnna Adams
    3 Jan. 2020
    “ A well-written, disturbing, and fascinating read! Adams gives us a great example of a tension-filled two-hander that unfolds in real-time so organically that not a moment seems wasted or contrived. I enjoyed the space for body language to tell the story--that makes this a director's and actor's playground. The setup is potent and the two characters believable and sympathetic, even as they bristle against one another and against my own opinions and values. I'd love to see this staged! ”
  • Humiliation Play by Charlie O'Leary
    3 Jan. 2020
    “ A fascinating, fast-moving play that examines shame, intimacy, and power, and how those things are tied to the gay male experience. Colin, Justin, and Katie are all multi-dimensional characters with intriguing desires and ways of getting what they want. I love the way this piece also navigates time and space, giving it an elegant structure and propulsive rhythm. It ends in a surprisingly poignant (and unsurprisingly potent) manner. Wonderful piece! ”
  • Human Terrain by Jennifer Blackmer
    2 Jan. 2020
    “ This is an exquisitely written human story whose multi-dimensional protagonist goes on a harrowing and vividly depicted journey. Blackmer plays with time and space in a compelling and theatrical way that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. I can only imagine what a lyrical and moving piece of theater this would be to see live. It's rare to see a piece that tackles the political and personal with such a nuanced and deft hand. Glad to see that this has been produced multiple times--I hope it has a long life! ”
  • The Allies by Charlie O'Leary
    31 Dec. 2019
    “ "The Allies" is a funny and human examination of the evolving friendships between young people looking to connect and feel seen. The hilarious dialogue both captures the nuances of natural speech while also existing in an entertainingly heightened world. O'Leary explores what it means to be an outsider in a conservative small town, as well as what it means to be one who "escaped." He also captures something unique and distinct about the friendship between gay men and their ostensibly supportive straight male friends--an indescribable mixture of platonic and romantic desire, jealousy of those who are "normal," and affection. ”
  • Ridgway by Charlie O'Leary
    29 Dec. 2019
    “ A haunting and compelling piece! I read this in one sitting quite easily. O'Leary has captured realistic speech well, mimicking the irregular rhythms of how people talk. All of the characters go on compelling journeys, Daniel in particular. An eerie atmosphere pervaded the entire piece as it explored outsidership; belonging; and race and sexuality in a rural environment in a powerfully intersectional way. The soundscape and visual/spatial sense of the play also makes me feel like this would be an original and unsettling heightened theatrical world on its feet. I'm eager to follow the trajectory of this piece! ”

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