Men in Shorts
- Yani Perez
- 9 hours ago
- 2 min read
Raul Garza’s new solo play Men in Shorts, now running at The Producers Club, is a cerebral meditation on identity, memory, and legacy, delivered through the lens of “Dave,” a brilliant, fractured writer who shares more than a few biographical echoes with literary icon David Foster Wallace. Performed by John J. Concado and directed by Tyler Crosby, the piece attempts to channel Wallace’s voice and style through a theatrical monologue.
The play follows Dave as he reflects on the intersections of tennis and writing, perfection and collapse, fame and isolation. The play moves fluidly through time as he recalls childhood ambitions, tennis tournaments, creative breakthroughs, and personal unraveling. Threaded throughout are his musings on Roger Federer, presented as both idol and foil, a symbol of grace that Dave can admire but never become.
Men in Shorts captures the density and circularity of Wallace’s prose. The language is often lyrical, intelligent, and wry. Garza clearly understands the interiority that defined Wallace’s work and has embedded it into a character who feels believable in his contradictions. The success of this literary emulation is a double-edged sword. While the play may succeed as an homage, it struggles as a theatrical experience. The structure lacks dramatic urgency, the emotional stakes feel diffuse, and the pacing often drifts into monotone. There’s strength in the play's themes and vulnerability, alongside moments of insight but the script would benefit from clarifying conflict and more tonal variety.
Concado’s performance is committed, and he brings sincerity to the role, giving the character an earnest presence. He leans into the emotional core of the material, delivering his lines with conviction and physical confidence. However, with few tonal shifts or clear arcs to navigate, his delivery occasionally feels static. Even so, he gives the role his all, depicting moments where his energy and focus shine through, offering glimpses of emotional depth and versatility.
Men in Shorts hints at something more resonant when the language sharpens and the metaphors align. The themes Dave wrestles with and the authenticity he brings are relatable. If his emotional range were more fully explored, audiences might connect more deeply with Dave and experience a richer, more textured journey through the play.
Men in Shorts provides a contemplative and often tender experience, particularly for those drawn to David Foster Wallace’s legacy and the introspective complexities of artistic genius.
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
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.
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