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Nick Malakhow

Recommended by Nick Malakhow

  • Sad Young Men by Stanton Nash
    22 Jan. 2021
    “ I loved the unique chronology--it managed to feel both irregular and structured, and the jaunts back and forth through time and perspective propelled the story and our understanding of these characters forward. Nash used the sizeable and quirky ensemble of explores to explore small town life and existential angst, masculinity, identity, addiction, and family. Lots of humor mixed in with some potent moments of poignancy. ”
  • Living Room by Chandler Hubbard
    21 Jan. 2021
    “ I loved this hilarious and surprisingly poignant existential nightmare. It takes the form of the four character living room play and the normative narratives that typically occupy such plays and subverts them...explodes them, in fact! It manages to be whimsical, delightful, unsettling, self-aware, and sharply satirical while remaining aesthetically coherent. I thought this was an interesting exploration and indictment of the way society attaches value and importance to certain narratives and identities (cis, hetero, male) to its detriment. ”
  • Bill & Stephanie by David L. Caruso
    20 Jan. 2021
    “ Beautiful piece! The naturalistic-meets-lyrical language, unity of time and space, and dynamic and eclectic characters heighten the theatricality of the play. A lovely meditation on marriage and its intersection with connection, intimacy, fulfillment, and purpose. Shifts between humor and poignancy with ease, and Stephen's overall trajectory is fully realized and his ending monologue is potent. Caruso's subtle attention to his characters' intersectional identities is a very welcome and nuanced layer. I'd love to see it onstage! ”
  • Telling of the Bees by Chandler Hubbard
    19 Jan. 2021
    “ An original and impactful play about grief and its after-effects as well as the struggle to live one's truth and be seen for who you are when it's at odds with your family. The sizeable ensemble is composed of well-defined characters who would present wonderful challenges and gifts to any actor who gets to play them. The foggy line between reality, fantasy, and memory is also illustrated with beautifully theatrical transitions and moments within scenes. Compelling work that I'd love to see staged. ”
  • retrofit(s) by Xavier Clark
    19 Jan. 2021
    “ I just so loved the human, irregular pacing of this, the swath of eclectic characters examined, and the heightened theatrical touches throughout that served to foreshadow quite the denouement/epilogue. Clark tackles a lot here that certainly anyone who has ever worked retail--especially the particular hell of a well-trafficked and abused fitting room--can relate to. His eye towards the intersectional nuances of his characters and how those identities impact his characters' day to day lives is sharp and a joy to see. Blistering hilarity coexists with painful truths that explore gender, race, toxic work culture, prejudice, and much more. ”
  • Sunday The Thirtieth 3AM Raining Slightly Drunk by Chandler Hubbard
    18 Jan. 2021
    “ I loved these well-rendered, distinct humans and loved watching their struggles with connection, intimacy, sex, and self worth. With writing that is at turns hilarious and poignant, Hubbard explores in Adam the intersection between faith, sexuality, desire, and self acceptance with a nuanced hand. The use of the soundscape, encroaching walls, and a couple of fantastical moments heightened the theatricality in bold ways that made me want to see this piece on its feet. ”
  • The Curse Of Dysfunction by Adrian Baynard
    18 Jan. 2021
    “ I was satisfyingly surprised by so much of what happened in this. The atmosphere is thick and foreboding from the start, and a real three-dimensional sense of place is established well. I loved the toggling between dream world and reality, and the moments when the line between the two blurred. Kaylee is awesomely creepy and the exploration of family trauma and passing on dysfunction and addiction is echoed in many characters, images, and moments. Lots of potential for interesting lighting and sound design and movement direction. ”
  • Sweet Revenge by Julie Zaffarano
    16 Jan. 2021
    “ Reading this was definitely a pleasant diversion from the existential dread of the current moment! I enjoyed the stakes that everyone had in the bakery (and each other) and the reveals, twists, and satirical tropes were both recognizable while still being original. Great to see a farce with contemporary sensibilities and some unique and funny visual and timing gags. I also loved how it escalated in act two. ”
  • Above the Fold by Julie Zaffarano
    16 Jan. 2021
    “ A really compelling drama that manages to capture the tension and engaging reveals of a courtroom piece while telling a much more nuanced and subtle story about the function of journalism, gender expectations, and sensationalism. All of the characters are vividly rendered here, but the trio of Dorothy, Minnie, and Mrs. Hoey were particularly complex. I just loved their conversations that tackled the intricacies and limitations of being a woman so astutely and with a plausible naturalism. Dorothy's central arc is so very engaging. I'd love to see this onstage! ”
  • seal boy by Ken Weitzman
    15 Jan. 2021
    “ A highly original, extremely theatrical piece that explores the complex experience of parenting a child who doesn't meet societal expectations. The play treads this unique line between parable and dark satire and, all along the way, it manages to feel aesthetically coherent in all its beautiful chaos. Weitzman's use of language mirroring amplifies the themes of nature vs. nurture, social conditioning, and parental control anxieties. Watching the, at turns, hilarious, poignant, and disturbing development of seal boy provides theatrical and sharply observed commentary on the social, emotional, and psychological pressures on young folks to conform and be "normal." ”

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