Awkward Silence
by Julianne Bernstein, Le Wilhelm, Catherine Pelonero, Jay Reiss, Edna Pelonero, Brian Shields, Jennifer Fell Hayes, Phillip Vassallo

"Vassallo orchestrates an intricate duel of wits between two embittered men struggling to validate their own bigotry."

— Steven Boone, Show Business

"Mr. Vassallo has taken an interesting approach. … There is some refreshingly honest talk from both characters—no political correctness here."

— Neil Genzlinger, New York Times"The strength of Vassallo’s 1995 playlet is that he balances griefs. Nothing … is black-and-white. Intolerance, the playwright observes, can sometimes grow from understandable resentments—but the problem with rational gripes is that they don't often lead to attempts at reconciliation. –  David Finkle, Theater Mania“A bitter sampling of bigotry and racial epithets … Most blatantly challenging and angry …hints at social conventions, political correctness in universities, and the genesis of bigotry among the average folks on the street… offers some poignant moments of heated exchange.” – Kessa De Santis, Electronic Link“A highly theatrical exploration of ongoing racial g Mark  Dundas Wood, Backstage