The Kitchen Sink

It was the greatest privilege to be surrounded by such magnificent artistry, gracious sentimentality, and show-stopping storytelling when witnessing the brilliance of Nicole Tongue’s, The Kitchen Sink at Manhattan’s historic Theatre Row.

For a premiere of someone’s first-ever play, I was nimbly impressed by Tongue’s exquisite versatility. Her acting, dancing, singing, writing, and production were all accounted for and all were delightfully divine.

What drew me most during the show was Tongue’s magnetic stage presence. Then there was her agile ability to rapidly switch characters while embodying individual quirks and physicalities with precision and seamless ease. This was coupled with her beautiful display of dance and movement, followed along by a few creative rollicking original musical numbers, Tongue kept me and my fellow audience members captivated throughout the production.

It is no wonder of Tongue’s dexterous skillfulness. She is a sublimely accomplished performer of adaptability in the realms of dance, choreography, opera, and acting, having performed at several esteemed artistic venues such as The Birmingham Royal Ballet, the Globe Theatre, and Philadelphia's Kimmel Centre. Her talents shone during this splendid play which tenderly explored the complexity of mining one’s past to rekindle the purpose and passion for life when surrounded by previous seasons riddled with chaos, mundaneness, and uncertainty.

The Kitchen Sink was astounding in its dedicated delivery, precious sentiment, and clever use of lighting, staging, sound design, and, of course, a breathtaking leading lady who has monumental potential to continue her endeavor of writing great theatre. I was touched by its concluding message, urging us that we “are enough” as each of us are fully, uniquely, and wonderfully valuable and deserving of a life filled with zest and zeal. I hope Tongue continues to create work that inspires, invigorates, and spurs creation, ardor and earnest avidity for finding oneself and living in blissful authenticity.

The Kitchen Sink

Starring: Nicole Tongue

Performed on: October 23, 2026

at The 21st Annual United Solo Theatre Festival

October 19 - November 22, 2026

Reviewer: Grayson Sebert