new york city

“Lili/Darwin” – A Poetic Solo Show of Trans Identity- NYC

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New York, NY — I had the opportunity to attend Lili/Darwin, a powerful solo performance, at The Tank. This show was written and performed by the talented Darwin Del Fabro. I first discovered Darwin from the queer slasher horror film They/Them, and was thrilled to be invited to this show. If you didn’t have the chance to see Lili/Darwin yet, it runs through August 23, 2025 so you still have time to check it out!

Lili/Darwin brilliantly merges two intimate journeys: that of Darwin Del Fabro, and of Lili Elbe—the transgender artist whose diaries from 1907-1930 inspired the narrative. If you know who Lili is prior to the show, you’ll love the pieces of history from her diaries sprinkled throughout the show. If you don’t know who Lili is, this is a great introduction! Darwin portrays Lili and herself with sensitivity and strength, moving seamlessly between eras, personas, and emotional landscapes.

Let’s talk about the staging: it was cool to see how the identities were differentiated in a visual manner— Lili Elbe appears on one side with a vintage chair, Darwin on the other with a stool. There were also moments where the lines were blurred. It was visually stunning and I loved the use of lighting and shadow underscore shifts in mood. My eyes were also drawn to the beautiful Dior heels as a symbol of femininity.

The show was brimming with emotional honesty and I felt myself tear up multiple times during the performance. At its core, Lili/Darwin is a testament to the power of authentic storytelling. It’s a deeply personal tribute to visibility, resilience, and the often-overlooked courage of trans narratives—spoken directly by a trans artist herself.

Details & Ticket Info

  • Where: The Tank, 312 W 36th St, New York, NY 10018
  • When: Performances are Thursday to Saturday evenings through August 23, 2025.
  • Tickets: Available here.
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Hilarious Comedy “The Z Team” on Theatre Row in NYC until November 23

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I had the opportunity to attend the opening show for “The Z Team” on November 10th. “The Z Team” is a hilarious new off-broadway play, written by Jeff and Jacob Foy, a father and son playwright duo. They’ve always wanted to write a pure comedy together, and “The Z Team” is the result!

The play follows a failing advertising company’s creation of the Z Team, a team tasked with creating a commercial for a truly terrible product – the Bend and Blend (it’s a yoga mat with a blender stuck to it). The boss of the company, Jerry, assembles a team of the worst employees from each department to create the commercial. What ensues is a chaotic and hilarious journey filled with mishaps, misunderstandings, and unexpected camaraderie.

The show has a clever script, strong performances, and fun direction. I laughed out loud many times during the show, and the message of finding strength in unlikely places and the power of human connection resonated with me. I was also thrilled with the queer representation in this play. The ending was also super cute and fun (and with a sapphic surprise) — but I won’t say any more details since I’m keeping this spoiler free.

Don’t miss your chance to see this show!

“The Z Team”

  • Venue: Theatre Row (41o W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036)
  • Run Dates: limited engagement November 8 – November 23, 2024
  • Director: Jeff Whiting
  • Writer/Producer: Jeff Foy and Jacob Foy
  • Cast: Allie Trimm, Tyler Cruz, Ze’ev Barmor, Jakob Martinez-Cooper, Kaelee Albritton, Darby McDonough, Joe Mucciolo, Drew Starlin, Daniel Arana, Gabrielle Filloux
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The Opposite of Love

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As a huge fan of theatre, I was excited to be invited as a member of press to attend “The Opposite of Love,” presented by NewYorkRep. This play was staged at the Royal Family Performing Arts Space in New York City, a beautiful venue with an intimate setting in a restored landmark building.

Theatre has always been a space where complex human emotions are laid bare, inviting audiences to confront issues, reflect on meaning, and empathize with characters. “The Opposite of Love” is no exception. This powerful play dives deep into themes of love, intimacy, trauma, and healing, offering a poignant exploration that resonates on multiple levels.

Opening night photo – May 30, 2024, by Jeremy Varner

Trigger Warnings

“The Opposite of Love” tackles potentially triggering topics, including:

  • Sexual abuse, asssault, and non-consensual acts
  • Emotional and psychological trauma
  • Discussion of suicide
  • Graphic sexual language
  • Depictions of intimacy
Production photo by Jeremy Varner

The Story

“The Opposite of Love” is a contemporary drama set in NYC that centers around two characters: a young wealthy woman who is grappling with the aftermath of childhood sexual trauma and a down-on-his-luck male prostitute who learns more about himself and his own trauma. In the script, Eloise is described as a beautiful girl with tragic thoughts and Will is described as a tragic boy with beautiful thoughts. These descriptions ring true!

When we think about the opposite of love, the first thing that comes to mind is hatred but actually — the opposite of love is really indifference.

Production photo by Jeremy Varner

The Talkback with NYSCASA

Following the performance, there was an insightful and impactful talkback session with the cast of the play and a representative from the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NYSCASA). NYSCASA plays a crucial role in supporting survivors of sexual violence and advocating for systemic change to prevent future violence. They are working to create a world where survivors are believed, supported, and empowered to heal.

The talkbalk highlighted the importance of community support and resources for those affected by sexual violence. It was a reminder of the real-world implications of the play’s themes and the ongoing efforts needed to address these critical issues.

The Cast and Crew

The strength of “The Opposite of Love” lies in its exceptional cast and crew, who bring the story to life with nuanced performances and sensitive direction.

Written by Ashley Griffin
Directed by Rachel Klein

Starring Danny Gardner as Will
Starring Ashley Griffin as Eloise

Set: Brendan Mc Cann
Lighting: Zach Pizza

Intimacy Director: Crista Marie Jackson

Stage Manager: Kelly Merritt

General Manager: Kaylin Kellin

Human beings…we’re not meant to be alone. To never be touched.

Eloise

The Opposite of Love has limited engagement plays until June 15. If you attend this play, I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments!

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