Kyle
About the show
FRIGID New York @ Horse Trade and Hot Tramp Productions present the world premiere of Hollis James' dark comedy inspired by the playwright's knock-down, drag-out battle with drug addiction. More…
It’s about a guy named Jack, his friend Kyle, and Kyle's friend cocaine. Thanks to his new friends, Jack's life quickly begins to spiral out of control. He loses his job, his girlfriend, his health, and all sense of personal hygiene. Will Jack find the strength to get his life back on track or will Kyle ultimately win?
"'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." Full Review
"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." Full Review
"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." Full Review
"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." Full Review
See it if You are interested in stories about addiction and the human condition. Enjoy heavy subject matter and plays involving psyche
Don't see it if You are looking for something light hearted or musical. This is about drug addiction and anger issues
See it if You are interested in a thought provoking play about the effects of addiction
Don't see it if You would not like to sit through a long play about addiction without an intermission that is slightly tedious.
See it if you can appreciate difficult subject matter, told in an unusual, direct way.
Don't see it if stories about addiction upset you.
See it if you into dark comedies about a dark subject.
Don't see it if you love light and whimsical.
See it if You enjoy a show with a smart idea of a man living with a non-existent person, or himself.
Don't see it if You don't like topics about drug addiction or depression, which is so resonant in our present world.
See it if Your interested in dramas that deal with what can become of your life and how you affect everyone in your life when you're an addict.
Don't see it if You are not interested in the life of a drug addict.
See it if You think cocaine can be just fun and stay strictly recreational and under control. You won't think that anymore after this play.
Don't see it if You are in early recovery from addiction. This will set off lots of triggers to pick up again. Be careful.
See it if appreciate the honesty in the writing.
Don't see it if you don't like plays about addiction.
Also Truthful, clever and honest. Somewhat repetitious but good writing.
See it if find drug use entertaining on a surface level and don't mind lengthy plays.
Don't see it if don't like plays that drag a bit or drug use on a superficial level.
See it if you find drug use interesting at a superficial level. Does not go deep. Lead character gives a good performance and is watchable.
Don't see it if you find drug addition to be repetitive and tedious. You really get that message from this show.
See it if You like dark comedy. You enjoy small casts. Like plots involving the human experience - both good and bad.
Don't see it if You are offended by drug and alcohol references or profanity. You want a quick paced one act play
See it if you enjoy offbeat dark comedies, and seeing off Broadway done well, especially if you can appreciate the highs and lows of cocaine use.
Don't see it if you don't want to watch a show featuring heavy drug use, or if you prefer highly polished productions.
Cast & Creatives (10)
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