"Where 'Kyle' succeeds the most is the physical comedy and witty dialogue, as Cassidy and James play off of each other well, under the direction of Emily Owens...Giving more of a glimpse into the psychology of an addict and what motivates one to seek out the constant chemical escape of drugs would strengthen this piece and provide more realism to the appealing comedy. Yet there is enough authenticity here due to the real-life experience at the core of this piece."
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"Hollis James has written something that is real. But rather than approach it like an after-school special, he implements a dark, foreboding spell...His script is quite colloquial, with a natural flow...Simplicity and storytelling were at the forefront of Emily Owens’ direction...It's hard to tell a new story about addiction but in our climate, 'Kyle' is an important play to produce. Hollis James has planted some brilliant seeds to succeed that will blossom into something substantial over time."
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"The slow pace of the production doesn’t do justice to the energy of the writing – something that can potentially be fixed as the show hits its stride. Emily Owens’ direction is simple and true to the slice-of-life feeling of James’ nonchalant dialogue. Hollis James and Nat Cassidy excel at playing the same person in unison of detailed gestures and matched energy...Despite its few faults, 'Kyle' delivers the truths of a serious problem through a comedic lens without dehumanizing or vilifying."
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"'Kyle' mines comedy from the depths of addiction and marks an impressive debut both for James as a playwright and for his and director Emily Owens' newly founded production company...'Kyle' seasons its humor with insight and grounded emotional moments...The increasingly unkempt Nat Cassidy is outstanding...An addiction comedy might itself sound paradoxical, but 'Kyle' walks the line between laughter and darkness with entertaining aplomb."
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