Recommended by Ricardo Soltero-Brown

  • Ricardo Soltero-Brown: He's Here

    This classic tale of a family reunited by death is made alive by Berry's focus on individual, delicate natures. Each member (and the entire unit itself) is an open wound; their ages, their relationships, Berry understands, like August Wilson, that authentic personal Drama, real domestic and social conflict is not found directly in politics but in circumstance. Berry is in tune with everything and the empathy, atmosphere, and insight on display here is exemplary. Heads butt, positions are revealed, found, taken, and we are able to reflect on blood in a communal manner, in a spiritual, and even...

    This classic tale of a family reunited by death is made alive by Berry's focus on individual, delicate natures. Each member (and the entire unit itself) is an open wound; their ages, their relationships, Berry understands, like August Wilson, that authentic personal Drama, real domestic and social conflict is not found directly in politics but in circumstance. Berry is in tune with everything and the empathy, atmosphere, and insight on display here is exemplary. Heads butt, positions are revealed, found, taken, and we are able to reflect on blood in a communal manner, in a spiritual, and even holy way.

  • Ricardo Soltero-Brown: From the Rubble

    I enjoyed this play so much that (for me) it was basically a respite from, well, anything else, really - even though it's about, well, everything. I've been doing a lot of reading and these are some of the loveliest characters I've come across in a long time. They're remarkably spirited, vigilant, witty, endearing, hopefull, inventive, and unceasingly genuine despite their circumstances, always trying whatever challenges lie ahead. These are two people I wanted to see succeed again and again, even though they often feel they won't; but I'd argue that that's the point and the sign of good...

    I enjoyed this play so much that (for me) it was basically a respite from, well, anything else, really - even though it's about, well, everything. I've been doing a lot of reading and these are some of the loveliest characters I've come across in a long time. They're remarkably spirited, vigilant, witty, endearing, hopefull, inventive, and unceasingly genuine despite their circumstances, always trying whatever challenges lie ahead. These are two people I wanted to see succeed again and again, even though they often feel they won't; but I'd argue that that's the point and the sign of good writing.

  • Ricardo Soltero-Brown: For California...With Love, Norma Jeane

    Bykowski's 'For California..." is a play that I've been wondering existed. The subject matter pits its heroine into timely and timeless socio-political and economic conflicts that test the boundaries of human perspective and judgment so boldly, the sheer task and completion of it is a moral and artistic accomplishment. A full and faithful production of this script would be hypnotic and breathtaking. Bykowski weaves commentary on not only humans but on technology and the education system as well. With humor then suspense, this reflection on fantasy and reality and the dreams connecting them...

    Bykowski's 'For California..." is a play that I've been wondering existed. The subject matter pits its heroine into timely and timeless socio-political and economic conflicts that test the boundaries of human perspective and judgment so boldly, the sheer task and completion of it is a moral and artistic accomplishment. A full and faithful production of this script would be hypnotic and breathtaking. Bykowski weaves commentary on not only humans but on technology and the education system as well. With humor then suspense, this reflection on fantasy and reality and the dreams connecting them will jolt audiences to their cores.

  • Ricardo Soltero-Brown: transfiguration

    How apt this play begins with a bedtime story. Henry takes our hand, guides us through a mystical, mythical, lyrical, Orphian-like journey that Sarah Ruhl or Vonnegut would, my guess is, buy a ticket for. Aristotle's token makes both a case and a comeback here and, boy, is it galvanizing to see. Henry again uses Time better than, or at least as well as, Arthur Miller ever did. Henry's greatest act is to stick with action and refrain from exposition. The play's all atmosphere, which builds to intrigue, into plot, then familial cataclysm; like Kubrick. This's a helluva'n original artist.

    How apt this play begins with a bedtime story. Henry takes our hand, guides us through a mystical, mythical, lyrical, Orphian-like journey that Sarah Ruhl or Vonnegut would, my guess is, buy a ticket for. Aristotle's token makes both a case and a comeback here and, boy, is it galvanizing to see. Henry again uses Time better than, or at least as well as, Arthur Miller ever did. Henry's greatest act is to stick with action and refrain from exposition. The play's all atmosphere, which builds to intrigue, into plot, then familial cataclysm; like Kubrick. This's a helluva'n original artist.

  • Ricardo Soltero-Brown: AGENT OF CHANGE

    Karma has caught up and come to collect, or so Vietnam veteran and cancer patient Tom Gardner suggests early on in this disarmingly moving work by Greg Burdick. The plot is so well handled that there actually is an air of fate at work here, nevertheless Burdick's bedridden pilot is drained, drugged, pushed, and taxed - and requires an actor of considerable skill. The most gorgeous component, however, is Dr Keo. It is a testament to Burdick's abilities how engaging this character is when, in her first scene, she's initially committing to bedside manner, but her journey is the heart.

    Karma has caught up and come to collect, or so Vietnam veteran and cancer patient Tom Gardner suggests early on in this disarmingly moving work by Greg Burdick. The plot is so well handled that there actually is an air of fate at work here, nevertheless Burdick's bedridden pilot is drained, drugged, pushed, and taxed - and requires an actor of considerable skill. The most gorgeous component, however, is Dr Keo. It is a testament to Burdick's abilities how engaging this character is when, in her first scene, she's initially committing to bedside manner, but her journey is the heart.

  • Ricardo Soltero-Brown: Sanctuary (a Texas song)

    Every piece for theatre written by Caridad Svich, you can go ahead and rest your bets, will be an awe-inspiring, humbling, and utterly stunning work of art, empathy, and standard. They are visceral, moving, exalted transceivers for the voices mankind minds us to spend time with. Svich's plays are a spiritual experience. 'Sanctuary (American Psalm)' gives us a "road play" traveled by characters who clearly had things to do, but nothing more important right now than taking a (yes, that's right) step. Svich's words, here the roots to movement and music, feel like Wallace Shawn in Sam Shepard...

    Every piece for theatre written by Caridad Svich, you can go ahead and rest your bets, will be an awe-inspiring, humbling, and utterly stunning work of art, empathy, and standard. They are visceral, moving, exalted transceivers for the voices mankind minds us to spend time with. Svich's plays are a spiritual experience. 'Sanctuary (American Psalm)' gives us a "road play" traveled by characters who clearly had things to do, but nothing more important right now than taking a (yes, that's right) step. Svich's words, here the roots to movement and music, feel like Wallace Shawn in Sam Shepard country.

  • Ricardo Soltero-Brown: I Lived, In Rancho Tehama

    A play so boldly about numbers you might forget who is telling the story: a child only instantly too wise about the world. The stasis of the child may be the stasis of our country, the U.S.A. Donna Hoke makes moves here that I haven't ever quite come across. This is stunningly deft, poignant writing worthy of any evening or anthology concerning gun control.

    A play so boldly about numbers you might forget who is telling the story: a child only instantly too wise about the world. The stasis of the child may be the stasis of our country, the U.S.A. Donna Hoke makes moves here that I haven't ever quite come across. This is stunningly deft, poignant writing worthy of any evening or anthology concerning gun control.

  • Ricardo Soltero-Brown: #matter

    Without doubt one of the best plays I've read about a chasm within the Left. Goodwin does an incredible job of illuminating the street lamps on the bridge which finds so many people on one side or the other. This is an astonishing, brave, charitable, insightful play for everyone with the capacity for patience and understanding. It reaches heights both existential and philosophical. The ultimate worth of the piece is beyond any poetry play I've read in a long time. Bravo to Mr Goodwin, who wrote this in 2015.

    Without doubt one of the best plays I've read about a chasm within the Left. Goodwin does an incredible job of illuminating the street lamps on the bridge which finds so many people on one side or the other. This is an astonishing, brave, charitable, insightful play for everyone with the capacity for patience and understanding. It reaches heights both existential and philosophical. The ultimate worth of the piece is beyond any poetry play I've read in a long time. Bravo to Mr Goodwin, who wrote this in 2015.

  • Ricardo Soltero-Brown: Carrot Sticks (5 min play)

    The characters Villanueva chooses to include here commits the play to the jarring loss a family experiences when a member is suddenly taken away. The construction here offers something visceral to the audience, both visually and emotionally. The most moving elements of this work will take hold immediately but last long after the lights go dark.

    The characters Villanueva chooses to include here commits the play to the jarring loss a family experiences when a member is suddenly taken away. The construction here offers something visceral to the audience, both visually and emotionally. The most moving elements of this work will take hold immediately but last long after the lights go dark.

  • Ricardo Soltero-Brown: Youth (1 Min Play)

    A straightforward breakdown of society's disparaging, disruptive, disgusting, and destructive stance on gender equality and cooperation, and the methods and language used to subjugate our youth into abiding exclusionary standards.

    A straightforward breakdown of society's disparaging, disruptive, disgusting, and destructive stance on gender equality and cooperation, and the methods and language used to subjugate our youth into abiding exclusionary standards.