“It does suffer from some clunky plot elements. But it shows real strength in its depiction of Evan, brought richly to life through Jake Glassman's compelling performance…Unfortunately, the other characters are less carefully developed and fall into clichéd and predictable patterns…While director Scott Ebersold elicits excellent performances from the cast, the play itself would be much stronger if those in orbit around Evan had been more fully developed.”
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“Well written, with dark comedy, intense drama, and an intriguing plot arc…The main characters are complex and believable, with deep inner lives. The peripheral characters are less developed, occasionally falling into the realm of cliché. But overall the play keeps the audience captivated—that is, until the tension-filled climax resolves with a less than believable feel-good ending…Still, 'Rare Birds' checks off many of the boxes of a great play...A memorable emotional journey.”
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"If Adam Szymkowicz's story sounds familiar it's because it, well, is...Szymkowicz doesn't offer a new perspective on the theme. For the most part, the plot is predictable. The characters fit into common stereotypes...Director Scott Eberold needed to somehow infuse more humor at the start to avoid the weighty topic becoming too overwhelming...'Rare Birds' is a play that thrives on the emotional content. It unfortunately begged too hard for it."
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"'Rare Birds' proves that talent and skill can make an 'issue' piece a compelling work of art. What’s rare is Szymkowicz’s gift for naturalistic dialogue. Enacted by a cast with saber-sharp timing under the skillful direction of Scott Ebersold...The finely constructed and sharply executed dialogue makes us ride along eagerly even through some less ostensibly believable scenes...It’s a winner from start to finish."
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"The moment when one reaches out to help the other starts a chain reaction of understanding. But before the patch of blue sky is seen, the director Scott Ebersold suffocates the audience with adolescent violence, humiliation, and neglect. However, 'Rare Birds' is far from being black-and-white. The tight-fit cast takes us on a very real and emotional journey, where you sob one moment and laugh the next."
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“The production plumbs the depths of how cruel teenagers can be…It's a fascinating story, but also a rather bleak one…A ticking time bomb that leaves audiences cringing more often than smiling…What sells this show is the acting, a compelling performance by a core of six actors dedicated to telling every bit of truth in the script...It's unclear by the end of the play if 'Rare Birds' is just Evan's story, or an ensemble narrative...Still, it's an emotional and fitting ending for Evan himself."
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"The themes explored in 'Rare Birds' are heavy and often disheartening. The script does offer moments of levity and humor, but this production fails to let those moments shine, and so suffers from a constant weight on the shoulders of the characters and the audience...Szymkowicz’s script has a lot to offer, and director Scott Ebersold makes a noble attempt at bringing it fully to life. This production is effective, but doesn’t quite stand out as a must-see production."
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"The script is well crafted, never flagging, with carefully wrought dialogue...Scott Ebersold has directed masterfully. He keeps the stage fluid and dynamic, and he allows his actors to shine. The entire cast performs well, although the two bullies aren’t given much to do except to be mean...And so 'Rare Birds' is a well-executed production of a script that lacks cultural truth. In this topsy-turvy dramatic world, the gays bully the straights. Mr. Szymkowicz needs to rethink his concept."
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