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‘Wendy House’ reminds Tampa that it’s lucky to have theater that focuses solely on new work

In a theater world that thrives on adaptations or revival, LAB presents world premieres every time out.

JON PALMER CLARIDGE

MAY 10, 2021 10 AM

The Wendy House at LAB Theater Project gets TWO THUMBS UP

If you get the chance I highly recommend going to see The Wendy House by Hector Melendez-Figueroa at Lab Theater Project. It’s a roller coaster of emotions. A meaty story with a lot of depth. There’s humor, intense moments, twists everything you need to capture the audience. Owen is a tremendous director. Come see it and support an up and coming playwright and up and coming theater. You won’t be disappointed!

~ Kyle Glatfelter

“The Wendy House,” written by my good friend Hector Melendez, Directed by Owen Robertson of Lab Theater Project, and featuring some other friends who I’ve had the pleasure of performing with Emma Hurlburt & Rick Fernandez, was F'ING incredible. I laughed, I cried... I laughed again, then cried.

The story written by Hector had a significant impact on me this evening as I very much related to the main character in the show. It makes sense that I cried several times... Curious? Go see this show!

~ Kevin Tydlaska-Dzeidzic

This show both breaks my heart and repairs my soul every night.

~ Kristy Pike

J.M. BARRIE told us, based on the legends of Pan, a tale of a boy who never grew old and his friends who did same. It was a wonderful tale about youthful zeal and escapism and how we must never lose that-- but we must temper it with the responsibilities of adulthood. HECTOR MELENDEZ-FIGUEROA has taken that basic thrust and put us all in a very sobering mystery that explores that and that ancient adage: Be careful what you wish for-- you may get it... His script is very tender yet tough and he is oh so careful as to what information he lets out and when, like a lion tamer. There are times with this mystery when we are sure we know where it is going and then WHAM!!! Right in the bread-basket. At no time is the tale ever tame, but we are lulled into a false sense of security which is essential to the very strong wrap-up and don't think you've got it all solved-- you don't... OH!!! Bring a hanky for the ending, my dears.... you will need it. If this is an example of Mr. Melendez-Figueroa's mind, we await further adventures and shall sleep with one eye open -- he is a graduate of LAB's Summer Workshop for Playwrights -- ask them about it when you order your tickets.

SEE THIS INCREDIBLE WORK, MY DEARS, and as I suggest, bring a hanky -- maybe two.

~ Joseph Parra of Stage, TV, and Cinema Art & Artists

I just watched The Wendy House. If you feel like you never quite banished your inner child, if you've ever worried about the things you left behind, wondered about the kids you'll never see again, if watching kids having a hard time getting adults to listen is like empathy punching you in the nose, WATCH THIS SHOW! It's not a kid's show, it's very much an adults' show, but it will appeal to your inner child on a lot of levels. This is the best play I have ever seen. Ever. Be prepared to cry. A lot, it's intense. And laugh! You'll want to catch it now, before it goes on Broadway and everybody's seen it, so you'll have bragging rights. Go buy tickets, they're only running for 2 more weekends. Make sure the actors can hear your reactions, and prepare to be rewarded!

~ Michael Horn

I just had a magical night at the theatre at Lab Theater Project. Well written, sensitively directed, and I love their new space too.

~ Bridget Bean