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Nick Malakhow

Recommended by Nick Malakhow

  • Breeders by Dan Giles
    28 Dec. 2019
    “ A totally hilarious, tender, and weird comedy about love, relationships, and parental anxiety, among other things. The juxtaposition between Dean and Mikey and their hamster counterparts is brilliant. The hilariously written scenes between Jason and Tyson, two hamsters, ironically helps fill in and render Dean and Mikey's humanity. I fell in love with Dean and Mikey's flawed relationship and the nuanced way they grappled with anxieties over becoming new parents and over what that step would do to their partnership in the long run. I'd love to see a production of this! ”
  • Smoke and Mirrors by Chelsea Frandsen
    27 Dec. 2019
    “ This is a tender-hearted and intimate play about loss, love, family, and grief. Frandsen has created five three dimensional characters who earn our sympathy as we see them struggle to grapple with and accept tragedy. The spare theatrical world allows us to focus sharply on these individuals and their relationships. The fluidity of time also keeps the pace of the play both meditative and continually progressive. I would love to see this moving play on its feet! ”
  • They Could Give No Name by Exal Iraheta
    25 Dec. 2019
    “ This is a haunting and powerful play about identity, immigration, grief, and family. I so appreciated the cross section of people represented in this play, particularly the distinct ways Nellie, Terry, Ana, and Victoria navigated their Latinx identities within themselves and around one another. Araceli was a haunting presence and her arrival prompted some of the most potent surprises. Not to be left out, Nick was intriguing as well, and his arc satisfying and complex. I also love the visual/aural world Iraheta creates here. It is uniquely theatrical and I would love to see it realized onstage soon! ”
  • Polar Bear in a Fish Tank in a Mall in China by Dan Giles
    25 Dec. 2019
    “ Equal parts hilarious and horrifying, Giles has created a theatrical world that cleverly critiques social truths and reality tv culture. It also proves itself to be a compelling horror story! Giles explores the internalized shame, misogyny, and homophobia of gay men; the ways they mistreat one another; mental health issues; and intersectional identity within the queer community using a cleverly selected group of characters and some off the charts satire-meets-gross out horror movie moments. Titillation and terror comingle in complex ways that make me consider what we sacrifice at times to belong and feel loved and attractive. ”
  • The Triumphant by Kareem Fahmy
    24 Dec. 2019
    “ A uniquely theatrical, powerful play that looks at the persecution of the LGBTQ community by examining many potently told, individual stories. The juxtaposition of conversational interviews with the harrowing and affecting scenes within prison and with "story world" is discordant in the best way. Fahmy creates a distinct visual/aural world onstage that whose contrasts help paint a clearer socio-cultural picture. I would love to see this harrowing and well-told story on its feet! ”
  • miku, and the gods. by Julia Izumi
    24 Dec. 2019
    “ A beautiful and whimsically told story about grief, growing up, and personal responsibility. All of these characters are absolutely delightful, particularly Miku, whose distinct sense of humor had me consistently laughing out loud. Izumi paints a unique theatrical world that is both a singular vision and provides commodious room for actors, directors, and designers to have a field day. I hope to see this touching and funny play on its feet in the near future! ”
  • Pareidolia by Kareem Fahmy
    24 Dec. 2019
    “ A superbly written and nuanced play about connection, relationships, alienation, and dating. Hilarious, unsettling, and heartbreaking, "Pareidolia" straddles a number of genres and moods quite well. I also love the unique theatrical world Fahmy builds by splicing the online world, naturalistic scenes, and some magical sounding montage/collage towards the end and in the wedding scene. I would love to see this staged, as it seems like an exciting adventure for directors and designers as well as actors. At the heart of this play are well developed characters--both the sympathetic Mal, and the other eclectic individuals. ”
  • A Distinct Society by Kareem Fahmy
    23 Dec. 2019
    “ The singular space of the library helps to underscore the disparate motivations and baggage that propel these five very interesting and well-drawn characters through "A Distinct Society." Manon is a powerful axis for the play to revolve around, and each of the other characters traverses satisfying and surprising arcs. This ultra-specific, small piece manages to explore immigration politics, Canadian history, alienation, identity, and family dysfunction in just a few tightly written scenes. The dialogue is human, often funny, and astutely observed. The ending is a well-earned moment of theatrical magic. I hope to follow this play's trajectory! ”
  • Mike Pence Sex Dream by Dan Giles
    23 Dec. 2019
    “ This surprising, sharp, insightful, and darkly hilarious play was a joy to read. Living in a sometimes absurd, sometimes all too plausible imagined future, Giles' characters grapple with what it means to survive through activism or complacency in our current socio-cultural context. I finished this briskly moving play in one sitting and enjoyed the shocking, titillating, and at times sad or horrifying moments as they unfolded. I'd love to see a production of this! ”
  • dress by Dominic Finocchiaro
    22 Dec. 2019
    “ A group of well-meaning, liberal hipster friends finds their prejudices, flaws, and preconceived notions exploded and tested by their friend's decision wear a dress out one day. The characters in "dress" speak with the perfectly captured inelegant natural rhythms of speech. I appreciated that we were forced to look beneath each character's warts to understand the need to belong and self actualize as adults that drove them. I'd love to see this well observed piece on its feet--with its impeccable structure it straddles a unique line between theatrical and cinematic. It would be an affecting and intimate piece. ”

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