Recommended by Brian James Polak

  • Brian James Polak: Building The Perfect Chair by Lisa Kenner Grissom
    “

    Is there a more mundane object than a chair? (Maybe a stool) But in Lisa's play we learn there is nothing simple about such an object. It can be beautiful and complicated, like the relationships portrayed in this intriguing new play. "Building the Perfect Chair" shows us how both love and chairs can be fragile works of art.

    Is there a more mundane object than a chair? (Maybe a stool) But in Lisa's play we learn there is nothing simple about such an object. It can be beautiful and complicated, like the relationships portrayed in this intriguing new play. "Building the Perfect Chair" shows us how both love and chairs can be fragile works of art.

    ”
  • Brian James Polak: Pluto by Steve Yockey
    “

    Steve uses his trademark theatricality to tell a rich emotional story with a gut-punch ending. Humor, surprises, and heart meld with the mythological and supernatural in this powerful work.

    Steve uses his trademark theatricality to tell a rich emotional story with a gut-punch ending. Humor, surprises, and heart meld with the mythological and supernatural in this powerful work.

    ”
  • Brian James Polak: Rush by Callie Kimball
    “

    This play is certainly a period piece, but is in no way bogged down by historical exposition. It feels like a contemporary play while still feeling authentically 1800s. It's gorgeous and powerful and fantastically crafted, as all Callie's plays are.

    This play is certainly a period piece, but is in no way bogged down by historical exposition. It feels like a contemporary play while still feeling authentically 1800s. It's gorgeous and powerful and fantastically crafted, as all Callie's plays are.

    ”
  • Brian James Polak: Hooded or Being Black for Dummies by Tearrance Arvelle Chisholm
    “

    A remarkable and vital play for our time. You feel it, in the rhythm of the scenes, in the rhythm of the dialogue, in the story Tearrance is telling. I couldn't be more excited about the potential of a play to take off and have a life in the American theater. This play will soar.

    A remarkable and vital play for our time. You feel it, in the rhythm of the scenes, in the rhythm of the dialogue, in the story Tearrance is telling. I couldn't be more excited about the potential of a play to take off and have a life in the American theater. This play will soar.

    ”
  • Brian James Polak: Nerve by Adam Szymkowicz
    “

    There's no surprise why Nerve has been produced all over the country. It's beautifully complex with a veneer of simplicity that will surprise you when it cracks open. Dear world: keep producing this play.

    There's no surprise why Nerve has been produced all over the country. It's beautifully complex with a veneer of simplicity that will surprise you when it cracks open. Dear world: keep producing this play.

    ”
  • Brian James Polak: American Home by Stephanie Alison Walker
    “

    Stephanie's play American Home is a beautifully theatrical exploration of the complicated notion of "the American Dream." I love how she takes seemingly disparate people to explore the challenges of living in a consumerist society with the debt piling up, up up. This is certainly a play for our time.

    Stephanie's play American Home is a beautifully theatrical exploration of the complicated notion of "the American Dream." I love how she takes seemingly disparate people to explore the challenges of living in a consumerist society with the debt piling up, up up. This is certainly a play for our time.

    ”
  • Brian James Polak: Sovereign Body by Emilie Pascale Beck
    “

    In Sovereign Body Emilie Beck dramatizes a debilitating disease with great authenticity. This play takes you on a tumultuous ride as you watch the impact of this physically devastating situation on both the protagonist and her family. It's a powerful piece of writing.

    In Sovereign Body Emilie Beck dramatizes a debilitating disease with great authenticity. This play takes you on a tumultuous ride as you watch the impact of this physically devastating situation on both the protagonist and her family. It's a powerful piece of writing.

    ”
  • Brian James Polak: A Nice Indian Boy by Madhuri Shekar
    “

    Madhuri is fantastically skilled at juxtaposing the familiar with unfamiliar, ultimately presenting stories that creep up on you unexpectedly... A Nice Indian Boy is such a story. Hilarious and punchy and heartfelt.

    Madhuri is fantastically skilled at juxtaposing the familiar with unfamiliar, ultimately presenting stories that creep up on you unexpectedly... A Nice Indian Boy is such a story. Hilarious and punchy and heartfelt.

    ”