reviews
To Protect the Poets [is] first-rate, timely and intelligent. Playwright John Doble’s keen sense of dialogue and character development enhances the balanced portrayal of two different points of view.
To Protect the Poets is a remarkable, thought-provoking and important addition which continues this Festival’s [FringeNYC] venerable two-decade tradition of selecting diverse and interesting worthwhile plays. [read more. . .]
Cynthia Allen, TheaterScene
To Protect The Poets is a beautifully written and crafted production that will stay with you days after seeing it. John Doble’s characters are masterfully written. [read more. . .]
Mary-Anne Wright, Theatre is Easy
. . . a taut drama. I couldn’t stop thinking about this play and all the issues it raised. [read more. . .]
Eva Heinemann, Hi!Drama
If you enjoy grappling with moral dilemmas, and if you want to see a modern rendition of Romeo and Juliet then To Protect the Poets may just be what you’re looking for. [read more. . .]
Karen Woodin-Rodríguez, How to Make it as an Actor
Read the Interview on the popular theater blog Call Me Adam.
Praise for John Doble’s other plays
Reunion Run, FringeNYC
“[In Reunion Run] there is much to learn from the struggle of these convincing characters. These friends and lovers are different in outlook and core beliefs and their differences provide the kind of moral ambiguity that sweetens dramatic plots. Their struggle for center and clarity is an extended metaphor for all reunion runs, individual, corporate, and political. Too often the race to enter combat recklessly is accompanied by the knowledge that death is likely to result. Yet we forge ahead exercising our humanity and our hubris. Thanks to playwright John Doble for the unsettling yet necessary reminder.”
David Roberts, Theatre Reviews Limited
“What works about this play is its ability to showcase post deployment reintegration. Jessica Myhr (Ronnie) portrays an Army officer dealing with post traumatic stress syndrome beautifully. . ..”
Mary Beth Smith, NY Theater dot com
Coffee House, Greenwich Village, LaBute New Play Festival, 59E59 Theater, NYC
“Coffee House, Greenwich Village by John Doble unravels a tale of intricately complex characters.”
Sophia Romma, Theater Pizzazz
Coffee House, Greenwich Village is an “uproarious black comedy reminiscent of the sensibilities of Elaine May, Jules Feiffer and Christopher Durang.”
Darryl Reilly, TheaterScene
The Mayor Who Would be Sondheim, FringeNYC
“Race relations are hardly a novel theme, but it's refreshing to see a play tackle the issue head on. "The Mayor Who Would Be Sondheim," by John Doble, has some striking things to say on the topic. Mr. Doble has worked in city government and on election campaigns, so the scenarios ring true.. . .”
Anne Midgette, The New York Times
Three Blind Dates (Previously titled A Serious Person and Then Some)
“John Doble's new collection of one-act plays takes on the subject of first dates with only five actors, two chairs, one table, and a handful of props...The three plays are uncommonly thoughtful for one-acts…Doble offers a bold if distinctly un-PC approach to first dates, which will undoubtedly spur conversation.”
Zachary Stewart, TheaterMania
“These plays are fun, offering unique viewpoints on that scariest of things, the blind date. Writer John Doble deftly avoids anything trite.”
Karen D’Onofrio, Electronic Link Journey
Tatyana and the Cable Man
Tatyana and the Cable Man “is a smoke break monologue delivered by Russian immigrant Tatyana (Jessica Ayers). She expounds on her love of CNN and a recent series of dates with the guy who installed her cable. Ayers illuminates the story, making it come alive on stage even though she's the only one out there.”
Zachary Stewart, TheatreMania
“Next up is the hilarious Tatyana and the Cable Man, written by John Doble. . . . If you looked up assertive Russian woman in the dictionary you'd get a picture of Tatyana; yet she's sympathetically and smartly fleshed out in a real person. We laugh along with her, enjoy her company and appreciate her intelligence. The gradual evolution of her confused, quietly infatuated cable man is also fun to hear, a detailed picture building in our minds of his behaviour. This was the best thing I saw all night, the humour perfectly dry and the tone precision nailed down.”
William McGeogh, London City Nights