←Recommendations of Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea

With all of the gravity of a folktale and fueled by the old-soul energy of its protagonist, this play is easily one of my favorites and one I keep returning to . As Dontrell journeys to discover his role in his lineage, which poetically becomes a place both past, present, and future, the story connects us to those we come from and those we will become all at once.

This play is so beautiful. It's full of poetry and life and joy and silliness and it's not enough to read it on the page. I want to see this big beautiful play staged over and over and over again.

I got to read this play for callbacks at the Phoenix several years ago, and it is such a beautiful, haunting work of art. The poetic and visceral nature of the work is 100% engaging and entrancing. Produce this! See this! Read this!

A stunning play, populated with compelling characters, and a story that rushes in and out of present, past and future, with tremendous joy and sorrow. There's something in the construction that immediately pulls you in, holding your imagination, the writing taking great care and yet making bold choices. This play is just unforgettable.

This play uses such a wonderful sense of lyricism and imagination. I'm immediately reminded of the City of Bones in August Wilson's GEM OF THE OCEAN. I was lucky enough to catch the production at Theatre Alliance, but even on the page Davis creates a palpable connection from beginning to end.

This is a perfect play. Nathan's use of lyrical language coupled with a desire to push the limits of theatricality make this play a contemporary classic. This is script that should be required reading for all theater students, regardless of their focus. These are characters that resonate, and themes that are so visceral and urgent it's as if this play was destined to be written. I have no doubt that Dontrell will find life onstage for a long time to come.

Beautiful script. Nathan has an amazing mastery of language, of rhythm, and of visual imagery, and it's brought together in a story that is both surprising and timeless. I've seen two NNPN Rolling World Premiere productions now, and would love to see more. And I can't wait to see what he writes next,

"Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea" is simply a beautiful piece of work. Read this play, attend this play, produce this play... do whatever you can to get into the same room with it. Nathan has a beautiful knack for toggling between the natural and the poetic, and he uses that skill perfectly to tell the story of a young man on the verge of adulthood who is searching for a long lost ancestor.

Gorgeously theatrical script with a tender, witty, very human story at its center. The NNPN Showcase reading was captivating. I can't wait for Theatre Alliance's production this spring in Washington, D.C.