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Nick Malakhow

Recommended by Nick Malakhow

  • That Rhythm in the Blood by Andrew Rincon
    15 Feb. 2021
    “ I so love this play with all of my heart--it is aesthetically expansive and theatrical while also being laser focused on its compelling, achingly human characters. The juxtaposition between its magical theatricality and the little seismic shifts in Miggy and Jay's and Lucy and Angel's relationships is brilliant. In particular, the well-observed scene where Miggy and Jay speak to one another through Miggy's door is perfect, poignant, and satisfying. Additionally, this play manages to be HILARIOUS as a welcome counterpoint to its exploration of uncomfortable truths, inherited trauma, familial patterns, and queer love. Gorgeous! ”
  • Room by the Sea by John Guerra
    14 Feb. 2021
    “ A beautiful, well-crafted adaptation of the stories of Icarus, Daedalus, and the Minotaur. Well-written scenes full of natural and human dialogue are punctuated by rich, lyrical monologues, personal moments, and important confessional addresses to unseen people. Guerra uses the mythology to effectively explore disability stigma; caretaking; letting go of loved ones, family, and preconceived notions about them; and loss. Highly theatrical piece that begs to be staged! ”
  • The Last, Best Small Town by John Guerra
    13 Feb. 2021
    “ Poignant and well-crafted! Guerra captures the ethos of "Our Town" while giving us an entirely new piece that straddles a similar specific/universal divide. In choosing to center the families and relationships that he centers, Guerra challenges the perspective that "Our Town" is a blank canvas of universality free from identity. He examines how shifting cultural values and identity dynamics are woven into the fabric of the US and that landmark, "universal" narratives must be revisited and disentangled from whiteness as we evolve. Beyond this important task, the play is also beautiful, haunting, funny, sad, and hopeful. Lovely work! ”
  • The Walkers by Barbara Lindsay
    13 Feb. 2021
    “ Unsettling, dark fun! Barbara Lindsay has crafted an offbeat and complex family whose members have intriguing and rich dynamics. The slightly amplified situations and satire/farce-leaning language and visuals lend a wonderful theatricality to the piece. They also underscore the exploration of the major themes of family dysfunction, and inherited trauma/traits. Sleepwalking is a perfect extended metaphor for a family unable to escape its own destructive cycles. Thought-provoking and entertaining! ”
  • GREAT WHITE by Deborah Yarchun
    11 Feb. 2021
    “ An exquisite and theatrical exploration of mental illness and complex family relationships. The broader use of climate change, Brooke's obsession with Mary Lee, and Gail's post-it note coping strategy provide beautiful, nuanced, and subtle extended metaphors that bolster the human core of the play. There is also something really poignant about reading it right now--it begs to be staged and creatively realized on its feet, and I can't wait to see it live some day. There's so much here for a whole production team--from actors to directors to designers to movement folks--to sink its teeth into. ”
  • Dark, Dark, Dark by Bethany Dickens Assaf
    11 Feb. 2021
    “ A really intriguing mix of dark comedy and unsettling truths. Bethany Dickens Assaf uses society's obsession with true crime media to deftly explore identity, violence perpetrated against women, and the multitudinous and complex ways folks process and work through trauma. The delightfully dark and humorous podcast setup brings a funny throughline to the piece, and the nuanced, rich, and eclectically identifying characters ground the action well. I'd love to see this moody, funny, atmospheric piece onstage! ”
  • Bones Like Dust by Gina Femia
    9 Feb. 2021
    “ I was thoroughly engaged throughout this briskly-moving real time play. From electric, hilarious, and energetic opening to haunting ending, I appreciated the emotional and stylistic scope of this piece. As with all of Femia's plays, the central characters were rendered with such complexity and nuance, and their brief but potent interaction felt plausible and exciting. The theatricality of the rain heightened the spare lyrical/natural balance of the text. I'd so love to see this realized onstage with inventive design, direction, and acting--a production team has so much to work with here! ”
  • The Apocalypse Project by Briandaniel Oglesby
    8 Feb. 2021
    “ Oglesby is so gifted at creating stories that not only center the voices of young people, but that truly examine the concerns, anxieties, dreams, and hopes of teens from their perspectives, on their own terms, and not just in relation to adult characters. This incredibly theatrical world would be an absolute delight to try and realize as a director, actor, or designer, and I loved how hilarity co-existed with some incredibly moving moments throughout. An excellent piece with universal resonance that should be produced far and wide! ”
  • Shrike: a Legion Cycle play by Erin Lerch
    7 Feb. 2021
    “ I had the pleasure of seeing Fresh Ink's virtual reading of this--what a glorious combination of expansive world building and nuanced focus on humanity (and, well, beyond humanity!). Lerch has created a sizeable ensemble of amazing characters, and it is a testament to their writing skill how engaging and sympathetic they all are even as they antagonize one another. The exploration of community, internal struggle/discord/strife, and the complexity of social movements is robust. The balance of humor and pathos is also a pleasure to experience as an audience member. I'd love to see it realized in production! ”
  • In My Tribe by John Mabey
    6 Feb. 2021
    “ I appreciated the subtlety of the storytelling here. This works quite well as a short, potent, 10-minute piece and it tackles important issues, but everything is shown rather than told very simply and elegantly. While we don't know the entire circumstances behind the initial meeting of Dr. Dowda and Sammy at the protest, the details we're provided make excellent points about identity-based assumptions and provide essential openings for audience conversation. ”

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