←

Nick Malakhow

Recommended by Nick Malakhow

  • oh to be pure again by Kira Rockwell
    4 Sep. 2019
    “ After seeing a reading of an early draft, I am floored as I read this updated version! What a beautiful and potent examination of faith, organized religion, how society commodifies women's bodies and virginity, and spaces where folks are able to rebel and ways those spaces are invaded by the oppressor in subtle ways. In lyrical and gorgeously irregular/natural scenes, Rockwell tackles the above themes through powerful and captivating young women. She writes teens so astutely, and always has an eye on her characters' intersectional identities. I hope to see this continually developed and produced soon! ”
  • Indelible by John Bavoso
    3 Sep. 2019
    “ This is a witty and charming romantic comedy without falling in the trap of being too precious. What a treat! Bavoso has many wonderful one-liners in here, but always in service of the story, as he keeps the plot moving. Preston's "errand" from earlier in the day is a perfect metaphor for depicting the turning point in these two men's relationship. A pleasure to read and, I imagine, so very stageable and dynamic. ”
  • BLIGHT by John Bavoso
    3 Sep. 2019
    “ This piece provides a unique angle of looking at the fallout behind major mass tragedy. It raises fresh and original questions about how we cope and process in the wake of such tragedies and the ways in which events can haunt spaces other than the direct sites of impact. Silvia and Cat's central question about deciding to start a family provides a distinct and powerful axis around which these other characters (and their griefs that need outlets and processing) rotate. The piece is full of warm and tender humanity as well. Hope to see a production of this soon! ”
  • A Play about David Mamet Writing a Play about Harvey Weinstein by Mathilde Dratwa
    2 Sep. 2019
    “ Seriously brilliant! Pitch-black and vicious in its comedy, but never bleak or heavy-handed. What reads as sort of free-flowing (as indicated by its own characters), is on the contrary really well structured and put together while always being consistently surprising (and shocking, and entertaining, and hilarious, and frightening). Extremely theatrical and the entire sequence from "All the World's a Stage" through the end was gutting and so extremely powerful. I was glad to see it end with hope and eyes towards the future. This needs to be staged now! ”
  • We Are A Masterpiece by Gina Femia
    30 Aug. 2019
    “ Wow! I knew this would be affecting, but did not realize how often during reading I would ugly-cry on public transit! This play is a veritable masterpiece itself. The nuanced and so-carefully stitched together and chosen scenes were the ultimate example of powerful "showing vs. telling" in script writing. I felt even for the characters I disagreed with. Though this tale was fairly geographically and socially self-contained, it pulsed with such incredible universality and truth--really moreso than other canonical AIDS crisis plays that I've seen or read. I'm eagerly awaiting the chance to see this in production. ”
  • Deal Me Out by MJ Halberstadt
    29 Aug. 2019
    “ The residual casualties of the 2016 election--complicated or torn friendships and socio-political reprioritizing on an individual and group scale--are vividly on display here in engaging and nuanced characters. All of the characters are rendered with a subtle and fine paintbrush, and their personalities are illustrated so adeptly in their relationships to and way of engaging with gaming. The games and the characters relationships to them are skillfully handled metaphors! The twists and turns both make sense but are satisfyingly surprising. I love seeing the genesis and evolution of this social microcosm both in the past and present scenes. ”
  • Hyannis by Kari Bentley-Quinn
    27 Aug. 2019
    “ A beautifully observed and heart wrenchingly told story. While it tackles a timely and urgent subject in opioid addiction, it does so without didacticism or preaching to either its characters or audience. Each character is so fully rendered. I love reading a quiet drama such as this that focuses on the tiny seismic shifts in life that lead to new understandings. Hope to see this produced soon! ”
  • WOMEN LAUGHING ALONE WITH SALAD by Sheila Callaghan
    26 Aug. 2019
    “ Astonishingly brilliant! This is an exquisitely vicious dark satire in which the inventive and wholly original humor is punctuated by some gutting truths (of course, these truths are fully on display in the satire as well, just skewed/skewered to oblivion). With an inventive and brilliant use of double-casting and outrageous stage directions that could be theatricalized in effective and unique ways, this piece is oh so theatrical as well. I sincerely hope I get to see a production of this some day soon. ”
  • Flight by Patrick Gabridge
    24 Aug. 2019
    “ A beautifully melancholy and unique slice of life. What a brilliant setting and use of that setting, and what vividly drawn and compelling characters. The scenes move briskly and, for such a quiet piece, it's filled with well-earned and surprising turns. ”
  • Idawalley by Maggie Kearnan
    17 Aug. 2019
    “ I was privileged to see a reading of this in Boston last year--Ida is a compelling and complex protagonist. Like any good historically informed piece of literature, this made me eager to learn more about Idawalley Lewis, while still providing a satisfying snippet of her life. The sizeable supporting cast is well-developed, and the play gives voice to a kind of subtle and nuanced narrative not commonly given airtime. Would love to see this play's continued journey! ”

Pages