Recommended by David Valdes

  • David Valdes: THE HOUSEKEEPER by Ginger Lazarus
    “

    The Housekeeper is a touching drama that wrestles with big themes--loss, grief, broken families, and how we shape our sense of self. But Lazarus never gets bogged down: the scenes flow along with grace and agility thanks to the sharp dialogue and the author's restraint. Treating the supernatural element as equal to the naturalistic material, the play feels round, rich, and moving.

    The Housekeeper is a touching drama that wrestles with big themes--loss, grief, broken families, and how we shape our sense of self. But Lazarus never gets bogged down: the scenes flow along with grace and agility thanks to the sharp dialogue and the author's restraint. Treating the supernatural element as equal to the naturalistic material, the play feels round, rich, and moving.

    ”
  • David Valdes: bread/blood by Cecelia Raker
    “

    Cecilia Raker demonstrates what makes theatre truly a distinct form here: what takes place in this fictive memoir-meets-baking class could only happen live in a theatrical space. Using the bread-making process as both metaphor and practice, she muses beautifully and with increasing intensity on identity, and the rare space in which she is "not being asked to give up any of myself for the other parts of myself."

    Cecilia Raker demonstrates what makes theatre truly a distinct form here: what takes place in this fictive memoir-meets-baking class could only happen live in a theatrical space. Using the bread-making process as both metaphor and practice, she muses beautifully and with increasing intensity on identity, and the rare space in which she is "not being asked to give up any of myself for the other parts of myself."

    ”