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Nick Malakhow

Recommended by Nick Malakhow

  • Roman à clef by Chandler Hubbard
    31 Jan. 2021
    “ This is a meaty, innovative piece that deals with family trauma in an amazing way. I appreciated how Hubbard explored perspective, the reconfiguration of traumatic narratives as a survival mechanism, dissociation, and who gets ownership of which stories in this entertaining and original piece. Meta-theatrics done well mix with some hard to watch realism and then a fantastical melding of the two in the final act. The ending is particularly effective, and the sizeable ensemble has ten great roles for ten strong actors. Lots for directors and designers to do here too! ”
  • A House by the Side of the Road - Seven Short Plays About a Family by Philip Middleton Williams
    30 Jan. 2021
    “ A cycle of plays that each work wonderfully as individual units, but which are all the more powerful together. The exploration of the evolving relationship between Dan and his father Clyde is moving in its subtlety and simplicity. Williams foregoes histrionic drama for small, seismic shifts that examine how familial patterns and relationships shape one's life and leave an indelible impression even after those family members pass on. ”
  • Trafficked: A Story by Gretchen Suarez-Pena
    29 Jan. 2021
    “ A harrowing piece that examines a large swath of folks impacted by sex trafficking and one that takes advantage of theatricality. The use of direct address and double/triple casting is powerful, and there is so much to work with here in terms of staging and transitions for directors and designers. I also appreciated how the piece straddles the line between potent human stories and informational and instructive theater. Most of all, it presents all of these characters with insight and compassion. ”
  • The Natural Horse by T. Adamson
    27 Jan. 2021
    “ A wholly original and delightfully theatrical piece that straddles multiple genres and styles, yet manages to feel "chaotically coherent." I loved the creative and vivid voices and inner lives of each character, and I appreciated how moments how sidesplitting hilarity coexisted with contemplative monologues (about intriguing architectural feats) and intriguing fodder for movement direction. The ending was affectingly poignant, and the whole piece underscored the complexities of family, loss, and forging a new path. ”
  • Moon Bear by Nina Ki
    26 Jan. 2021
    “ Beautiful, beautiful piece! I loved tracking the simultaneous theatrical worlds of Silver/Richie/Dad and Bear. The moment they met was was so powerful, poignant, and such a perfect bookend to the piece. Nina Ki combines a wry sense of humorous, fabulistic/fantastical tropes and devices, and an incredibly moving human heart in Silver to create this transcendent piece. The exploration of gender, family, sense of self, and being an outsider in one's immediate sphere is complex and uniquely presented. I sincerely hope I get to see "Moon Bear" onstage in the future! ”
  • Through Hike by David L. Caruso
    25 Jan. 2021
    “ Beautiful, subtle work. Caruso balances gorgeously observed realism in all the human inelegance of natural speech with some illuminating lyricism and wonderfully theatrical moments. The exploration of mental health, grieving, connection, and alienation feels of the moment, and all of these characters (so aptly defined in the character list by their relationship to hiking boots) are quite nuanced. Side note--as an avid backpacker, I enjoyed the representation of backpacking onstage in all its drudgery and profound majesty. I'd love to see this realize onstage! ”
  • Mavericks by Ryan Oliveira
    24 Jan. 2021
    “ Superbly epic in scope while never losing sight of its extraordinarily specific, human, distinct, and wonderfully queer central characters. Oliveira explores so much here--identity, allyship, and divides within the queer community; creation, inspiration, and intellectual property; subverting and reclaiming narratives that you don't see yourself represented in. Just the globally minded story in and of itself is incredibly compelling--add to that the unique theatrical world Oliveira builds here seemingly effortlessly, the brilliant use of music (video game and otherwise), and video game media. This is a special piece that an ambitious company should tackle soon! ”
  • Boxed In by Mora V. Harris
    23 Jan. 2021
    “ What a funny, original, and poignant play. In about 30 short pages, Harris rendered Jerry and Tyler's relationship with such complexity and nuance, I felt like I'd known them for quite a bit longer--in fact, I'd love to read a full length two-hander starring these brothers. In short, potent scenes Harris elegantly establishes and follows through on each character's wants and needs, and the dramatic action is always focused on the two young men. The use of mime is an excellent extended metaphor and I loved how queerness was just a subtly drawn fact of life. Beautiful! ”
  • You Are What You by Mora V. Harris
    23 Jan. 2021
    “ An original and compelling piece that balances hilarious and sharp (and dark) humor with an incisive exploration of eating disorders, mental health, family, and relationships. This heightened, gloriously theatrical world feels aesthetically coherent and well-defined, and all of the characters are touchingly rendered and endearing (and Megan is a delightful villain of sorts who is at the business end of an excellent monologue late in the piece). The dynamic between Francie and Trisha and the nuanced look at both of their relationships with food and one another captures something special! I'd love to see it onstage. ”
  • stray by Ryan Oliveira
    22 Jan. 2021
    “ At turns hilarious, touching, and unsettling, Oliveira has created a bold and theatrical piece here that explores queer acceptance (and lack of acceptance), blood family vs. found family, and much more. I loved the dual narratives of Caio and Telma, and watching them orbit around each other and then finally intersect was compelling. The use of puppetry was unique and provided for much hilarity, and I was particularly taken in by the arc between Caio and Alex. The final quarter of the play was first heartbreaking and then hopeful. I'd love to see it on its feet! ”

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