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Nick Malakhow

Recommended by Nick Malakhow

  • P o l a r i s (a tragedy expansion pack) by Charles Green
    22 Dec. 2019
    “ A contemplative and lyrical play set at a meditative yet always engaging pace. Green has created a truly original theatrical world whose visual and aural landscape--both what we see and what is simply spoken and imagined/pantomimed--is stunning. Polaris' journey looking for Gideon is poignant and takes several surprising turns. P O L A R I S is an exquisite meditation on grief, and its touching truths about the grieving process are organically folded in to the action of the "game within a play." The ending is very potent! I'd love to see what this looks like onstage. ”
  • RAPTURE by Kristen Plylar-Moore
    21 Dec. 2019
    “ A sharp and cleverly written satire. The "everything and the kitchen sink" approach to the secret revelations in this text really works as an exploration of the various ways that religious fundamentalism traps and oppresses women and poisons, as well, the perpetrators and maintainers of such structures. Consistently surprising, "Rapture" hooked me from the start and kept me engaged throughout. Dylan, Shawn, Jessi, and Orie are all meaty roles with amazing arcs, and Matt and Evector are colorful and well-drawn supporting characters. I look forward to following the journey of this play! ”
  • Non-Player Character by Walt McGough
    20 Dec. 2019
    “ Wow! What a lovely, nuanced, well-crafted play. McGough has economically chosen a potent set of scenes that, stitched together, both tell this story really well while also doing right by all of his multi-dimensional characters. Katja has a compelling character arc, and her antagonistic relationship with Trent is both painful and truthful. Unsettling realities about toxic masculinity and social oppression of women across digital and analog worlds are paired alongside frequent genuinely hilarious moments that keep this play absorbing and briskly paced. I hope to see a production soon! ”
  • The Known Universe (Part Three of The Second World Trilogy) by Scott Sickles
    20 Dec. 2019
    “ While the gloomy pall of inevitability hangs over this piece, it remains a warm-hearted and poignant end of Sickles' trilogy. I so appreciated how distinct each of these pieces was, while living within the same theatrical world. In "The Known Universe," we have the opportunity to follow the experiences of a unique blended family of multi-dimensional characters in a way that satisfyingly punctuates the compelling trajectory of Anzor and Teddy, now grown. I look forward to following this piece's journey! ”
  • Chalk by Walt McGough
    19 Dec. 2019
    “ "Chalk" is a tightly-written, compelling thriller. Like all truly good horror/science fiction, it explores potent real-world themes--parent-child relationships, memory, guilt--using fantastical elements to heighten the conversation. We learn just enough about the circumstances of this world to feel wholly engaged, and have just enough left up to the imagination to keep it terrifying throughout. Maggie and Cora are well-drawn characters and I imagine that their conversations would crackle with electricity if I were to see this live! ”
  • Even Flowers Bloom in Hell, Sometimes by Franky D. Gonzalez
    19 Dec. 2019
    “ I am haunted by this beautiful work that gives voice and humanity to those who have that stripped away due to the cycle of incarceration. This piece was both theatrical in its structure--transitions, lyrical poetry paired with naturalism--and in its references to theatrical texts and the nature of theater itself. I found myself coming away with a newfound appreciation for some of the texts referenced that never so clearly resonated as they did in this context. All along the way, Gonzalez renders a large cast of nuanced and impactful characters. I hope to see this produced far and wide! ”
  • Paletas de Coco or, The Letter Unspoken or, The Christmas Eve Play by Franky D. Gonzalez
    17 Dec. 2019
    “ "Paletas de Coco..." is an exquisite and wrenching exercise in vulnerability. At the same time that it is so raw, it is an impeccably written and intentionally crafted piece. Like all of my favorite theater, universal truth is mined from the smallest of details. In having the privilege to read this extraordinarily personal and specific story, I am forced to consider my relationship with my parents and other family members, my relationship with my mental health, and the responsibility I have to care for and nourish these things going forward. ”
  • Model Minority by Chloé Hung
    17 Dec. 2019
    “ A deftly told intersectional story that centers around five extremely compelling and human characters. As she focuses on this small group of people, Hung explores and illuminates issues of identity and belonging, racism and stereotypes within and between various groups of color, and more! Through hilarious dialogue and insightful conversations, Anna, Cynthia, Roland, and Jimmy change and evolve through their work with Derek. The final coda to the piece is satisfying and beautifully written. I hope to see a production of this sometime soon! ”
  • AMERICAN SPIES by Sam Hamashima
    16 Dec. 2019
    “ I loved the clear, unique, and specific theatrical world Sam Hamashima created. George is a compelling, charming, and believable character who we rally around, and all of the other (human and non-human) characters are fleshed out and have impactful arcs as well. In looking at this individual family, Hamashima effectively illuminates broader historical and social truths to great effect. "American Spies..." pairs humor alongside poignant moments of realism, fantasy, and lyrical poetry. It would be a delight to see this staged, as it is definitely a play that truly reads like a theatrical event. ”
  • Evolve by Alisha Espinosa
    15 Dec. 2019
    “ This piece is an amazing theatrical feat! Espinosa crafts her own visual/aural/spatial reality with fantastical elements and spins a powerful story centered on three complex, dynamic, and extraordinarily different women. The dialogue pairs gorgeous, lyrical poetry with spare and contemporary realism in a way that feels cohesive. Paloma's assault, Daphne's transformation, her meeting of Miel, and the powerful ending tableau make for an engrossing arc! I'd love to see this realized onstage. ”

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