The Rental

A gem of a play! Superbly acted! The complex (two) characters change in the course of their time together (50 minutes, real time) and call each other out on their BS. In doing so they raise many issues relating to class, consent, sex and more. Of the many plays I have seen this year -- this is hands-down my favorite!... full review

Absolutely brilliant! Writing, acting, directing...excellent! I loved every minute of this 50-minute play. Astin and Corvino were amazing! It delivered what it promised. From a shy, uncertain virgin and a caring, knows-her-stuff prostitute, to an angry, virgin-no-more, and a stand-up, right-on, full-on confident, no BS prostitute! Feminine power explodes! It's a significantly powerful, funny at the perfect times, awesome play. ... full review

Astin steals the show! From the moment you walk into the theater, she is in character and embodies an empowered escort. Throughout the show, her stage presence is commanding and she connects to the message of feminism flawlessly. Both actors had great chemistry, but I would watch it again for Ali Astin's performance. ... full review

The Rental artfully leads the audience through an array of emotions as you get an inside look at the life of elyse. Astin does a beautiful job enveloping the character and can not only utilize but masterfully create different emotions ranging from being vulnerable to disbelief and then outright hatred. ... full review

This is the most honest commentary on modern insecurity and emotion in today’s society embodied by precisely crafted characters. BRILLIANT!... full review

A touching, thought-provoking show about sex and relationships. The two leads give strong performances that require great emotional honesty. ... full review

As a playwright I have to admit I was very impressed the way this play was written. Very smart and real. It dives very deep into people’s mind. ... full review

What a thought provoking story superbly told by two great actors. I was thoroughly captivated by the ebb and flow of the plot, and the two contradicting lifestyles each of the characters led. It greatly explored the stereotypes of sexual encounters and consent/respect within that realm. It had just the right amount of balance of funny and drama. I would definitely see it again!... full review

Found a flyer for this exclusive run. Best $10 I have ever spent. I loved walking into the theatre space and seeing Elise, played by Ali Astin, on stage prepping for the show. I felt as if I was a fly on her wall watching. Once the play began, I truly enjoyed the comedy and connection between Elise and Keith, played by Jake Corvino. Ali Astin’s acting really made me appreciate the complexity of a modern sexual encounter. Jakes nervousness and determination portrayed what any 21-year-old virgin would do. Ali and Jakes acting would not have been cohesive without the brilliant writing and direction of Ben Ubiñas. ... full review

Thanks to stellar writing, direction and strong performances, I found myself transfixed by the dynamic between these two characters and the smart and surprising shifts of perspective and interplay between role-playing and biting self-revelation. Writer Ben Ubiñas is not content with merely entertaining, but cleverly sets the audience up to challenge any assumptions they may have dared to make. One of the most thought-provoking hours on the stage I've seen in ages. I highly recommend this show. ... full review