Pugilist Specialist by Adriano Shaplin

"Sharp political theater... An engrossing, inventive dissection of the American military mind."

"The play leaves you with a disturbing insight into the systems and beliefs at the heart of America's obsession with anti-terrorism, and the confusing and contradictory opinions behind the reasons for going to war in the first place."

"A beautiful, horrifying play with an ethical, tragic heart. I was bowled over by the performances, the staging and most of all by the writing -- something new and exhilarating in the theater."

"The play is particularly timely -- and brilliant too."

"A visceral performance piece...an uncommonly bracing shot of political theater. Chillingly convincing, tautly suspenseful...a stunning final act."

"Pugilist Specialist is not a Pinteresque power play. It's a less genteel, more Maileresque view of men and women at war, the sexual thrills of killing, and the cerebral justifications of the animalistic. The four soldiers go at one another with a ferocity that, as in Pinter, is funny and frightening at the same time... Shaplin's bold style underscores that this is not your typical women-in-the-military story. In fact, there's nothing typical about it."

"A tightly constructed psychological drama -- its real theme is the minefield of military relationships."