Recommended by Brayden Frascone

  • Rev

    by Rachel Bykowski

    A delayed review, I picked up the published version of "Rev" at the Drama Book Shop in NYC about two months ago, and I was immediately engrossed in the story of Camaro, Aston, and their father's auto shop. If you've never read a play by Rachel Bykowski, you should know that she is always an expert on her subject matter--and "Rev" is no exception. Bykowski carefully plaints a picture of growing up on Chicago's Southside, a hefty inheritance of mechanical knowledge, and how gender dynamics come into play in a blue collar midwestern family.

    A delayed review, I picked up the published version of "Rev" at the Drama Book Shop in NYC about two months ago, and I was immediately engrossed in the story of Camaro, Aston, and their father's auto shop. If you've never read a play by Rachel Bykowski, you should know that she is always an expert on her subject matter--and "Rev" is no exception. Bykowski carefully plaints a picture of growing up on Chicago's Southside, a hefty inheritance of mechanical knowledge, and how gender dynamics come into play in a blue collar midwestern family.

  •

    A beautifully constructed, and joyfully complex look at the lives of twin gods Artemis and Apollo, and the relationships that shape their view of eternity. Leslie's characters flow gorgeously through space and time to tell a full and complete story of love, longing, the price we pay for happiness, and how long forever truly is. The world needs a fully realized version of this play. Artistic Directors everywhere, take note.

    A beautifully constructed, and joyfully complex look at the lives of twin gods Artemis and Apollo, and the relationships that shape their view of eternity. Leslie's characters flow gorgeously through space and time to tell a full and complete story of love, longing, the price we pay for happiness, and how long forever truly is. The world needs a fully realized version of this play. Artistic Directors everywhere, take note.

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    I had the pleasure of working on this play at Tantrum Theater in 2016 and I still find myself returning to experience the incredible craftsmanship of this script again and again. With practiced hands, Biechler expertly weaves Messner's complicated relationship with fame, love, and God into fast moving 90-minute epic that challenges the audience to ask big questions about faith, redemption, and the (heavily made-up) faces we put on for others.

    I had the pleasure of working on this play at Tantrum Theater in 2016 and I still find myself returning to experience the incredible craftsmanship of this script again and again. With practiced hands, Biechler expertly weaves Messner's complicated relationship with fame, love, and God into fast moving 90-minute epic that challenges the audience to ask big questions about faith, redemption, and the (heavily made-up) faces we put on for others.

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    I read this play, crying in public, three times in a row. In a fast moving 10 pages, Rodriguez gives an incredibly vivid look into a community of latinx gay men in their own space moments before one of the worst massacres in American history. The language takes rapid turns, both haunting and beautiful, as the characters step towards their unknown fate. This play celebrates the life of these men and others, while reminding us to love fiercely and "dance again."

    I read this play, crying in public, three times in a row. In a fast moving 10 pages, Rodriguez gives an incredibly vivid look into a community of latinx gay men in their own space moments before one of the worst massacres in American history. The language takes rapid turns, both haunting and beautiful, as the characters step towards their unknown fate. This play celebrates the life of these men and others, while reminding us to love fiercely and "dance again."

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    I had the extreme delight of having one of my plays read in a short play festival with "I Saw Jesus in Toa Baja" through the Off-Key Anthem Theater Collective in Chicago, and since then I still periodically think of how effortlessly Diaz-Marcano blends incredibly vivid storytelling with beautiful rhythmic prose. Leslie's story, one of faith, identity, and tragedy, is one that needs to be told far and wide. I am incredibly honored to have heard it, and even more proud to recommend it.

    I had the extreme delight of having one of my plays read in a short play festival with "I Saw Jesus in Toa Baja" through the Off-Key Anthem Theater Collective in Chicago, and since then I still periodically think of how effortlessly Diaz-Marcano blends incredibly vivid storytelling with beautiful rhythmic prose. Leslie's story, one of faith, identity, and tragedy, is one that needs to be told far and wide. I am incredibly honored to have heard it, and even more proud to recommend it.

  • Brayden Frascone: To Saints and Stars by Jordan Ramirez Puckett
    “

    I am absolutely stunned by the beauty and construction of this piece. Ramirez Puckett explores not only questions of faith and science in this incredible play, but also of sisterhood, chosen family, abandoned culture, and what it means to accomplish unimaginable goals. I truly cannot wait for others to discover To Saints and Stars. It will go far, just wait and see.

    I am absolutely stunned by the beauty and construction of this piece. Ramirez Puckett explores not only questions of faith and science in this incredible play, but also of sisterhood, chosen family, abandoned culture, and what it means to accomplish unimaginable goals. I truly cannot wait for others to discover To Saints and Stars. It will go far, just wait and see.

    ”
  • Brayden Frascone: How to Bake a Genoise Sponge Without Breaking Any Eggs by Jean Egdorf
    “

    A deeply thought provoking exploration of mental illness and the troubling relationships that we can form with ourselves. Jean's intellect and attention to detail shine through her carefully constructed characters and historical allusions. She reminds us all that our dreams and struggles can, and should, coexist.

    A deeply thought provoking exploration of mental illness and the troubling relationships that we can form with ourselves. Jean's intellect and attention to detail shine through her carefully constructed characters and historical allusions. She reminds us all that our dreams and struggles can, and should, coexist.

    ”
  • Brayden Frascone: Queen by Madhuri Shekar
    “

    I had the privilege of seeing Queen at its world premiere production at Victory Gardens and I was so impressed by the intricacies of the story. Madhuri Shekar is definitely a playwright to look out for. I can't wait to read more of her work!

    I had the privilege of seeing Queen at its world premiere production at Victory Gardens and I was so impressed by the intricacies of the story. Madhuri Shekar is definitely a playwright to look out for. I can't wait to read more of her work!

    ”