Kyle NYC Reviews and Tickets

75%

(20 Reviews)

Positive

80%

Mixed

15%

Negative

Members say

Great acting, Funny, Clever, Edgy, Quirky

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.

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?

Member Reviews (20)

Disappointing, Excruciating, Overrated

See it if If you feel like you must see a show about drug use.

Don't see it if Cocaine use bothers you or if you are looking for a play with substance. This theater is very no frills. Read more

Ambitious, Great acting, Thought-provoking, Well-meaning indictment of cocaine addiction that becomes a little tedious like being around addicts does.

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.

Critic Reviews (4)

"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."
Read more

"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."
Read more

"'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."
Read more

"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."
Read more