Interview with Raul Garza

Raul Garza’s Men in Shorts, inspired by literary icon David Foster Wallace, is a cerebral and emotionally layered solo show that channels the voice of a brilliant, fractured writer grappling with legacy, perfectionism, and the elusive art of connection. I asked Garza about the play’s origins, his relationship to Wallace’s work, and what it takes to craft a monologue that wrestles with both intellect and vulnerability.

What first drew you to David Foster Wallace as a creative influence, and how did that evolve into the idea for Men in Shorts?

When I read David Foster Wallace’s epic novel Infinite Jest, I sensed a real-life talent and recklessness on par with his wildest fictional creations. I wanted to understand his deep passion for tennis, for winning, and his profound struggles with boundaries, expectations, and human relationships.

As a reader, I related to David Foster Wallace’s habit of ruthless self-critique, and his tendency to objectively classify things as either completely “in” or “out,” like a Chair Umpire calling a tennis match. I also related to his admiration of the effortless grace of tennis icon Roger Federer. This tug-of-war between struggle and ease inspired Men in Shorts. And the overlay of David Foster Wallace’s life and Roger Federer’s career presented a wild scavenger hunt I could not resist interpreting as a play.

Tennis and writing are central metaphors in the play; what do they represent to you in the context of identity, perfectionism, and collapse?

Both tennis and writing represent the cruel margins between genius and error. They share a common language of intensity, introspection, joy of winning, and self-indulgence. In some ways, both tennis and writing’s spiritual highs and crushing disappointments define our capacity to express our identity, strive for perfection, and reinvent ourselves after inevitable collapse.

What challenges or discoveries came up during the writing or rehearsal process of shaping such an introspective, intellectually rich monologue for performance?

A key challenge in shaping Men in Shorts was balancing introspection and action - or telling versus showing in theatre-speak. The “source material” of David Foster Wallace and Roger Federer’s presented endless opportunities to delve into details and antics too delicious to ignore in the script, but ultimately too complicated or convoluted to survive the editing phase of the play’s rehearsal process..

What do you hope audiences take away from Men in Shorts?

I hope audiences feel inspired to imagine what a “publicity tour” of their life would look like. I hope they reflect on their personal what-ifs about moments of glory. The play delves into the identities of two celebrities – David Foster Wallace and Roger Federer. With that in mind, I hope audiences think about the long-term benefits or costs of cheering somebody else’s life from the sidelines.

What’s next for you as a writer? Are there any upcoming projects or ideas you’re excited to explore?

I would love to explore an expansion of Men in Shorts to a more fully realized theatre experience presented during the US Open season. Up next for me is the development of a new cultural identity play called Frijolebeans at Santa Fe Playhouse in Santa Fe, New Mexico. After that, as you know well, it’s all about writing and rewriting.

Thank you, Raul, for taking the time to answer a few questions. Have a wonderful closing weekend!

Check out our review of Men in Shorts!

Men in Shorts

Written by Raul Garza

Directed by Tyler Crosby

May 8- May 24, 2025

The Producers Club ( 358 W 44th St, NYC) www.instagram.com/meninshortsnyc

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Yani Perez, M.F.A., is a poet, playwright, translator, and educator. Her plays have been presented in various theaters in the United States, such as La Mama and Yale University, as well as internationally in Bogotá, Colombia. She works at IATI Theater, one of the oldest Latinx theaters in NYC. She is currently working on translations of Latinx artists in hopes of introducing them to English-speaking audiences.