Bowl EP
2019 play by Bess Wohl
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bowl EP is a comedic stage play written by playwright Nazareth Hassan. The play debuted in 2025 at the Vineyard Theatre, featuring rap, live skateboarding and original music,[1] and was a 2026 finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.[2]
Quentavius da Quitter
Lemon Pepper Wings
| Bowl EP | |
|---|---|
2025 Off-Broadway production poster | |
| Original language | English |
| Written by | Nazareth Hassan |
| Characters | Kelly K Klarkson Quentavius da Quitter Lemon Pepper Wings |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Premiere | |
| Date | May 18, 2025 |
| Place | Vineyard Theatre |
Plot
The play follows two teenagers, Kelly K Klarkson and Quentavius da Quitter, in a small suburban town, spending their days skateboarding and writing rap music. Set in an old pool used as a skateboarding bowl, the play features freestyle rap sessions, and explores race, masculinity and the desire for connection in youth, as their friendship turns to romance. [3]
Production history
Off-Broadway (2025)
Bowl EP first premiered Off-Broadway at Vineyard Theatre in a co-production with National Black Theatre in May 2025.[4] The production was directed by Hassan and starred Essence Lotus, Oghenero Gbaje and Felicia Curry with original music by Free Fool.[5] The production received critical acclaim, with The New York Times calling it a "messy, poignant and memorable new work"[6] and TheatreMania praising it as "magnificently imaginative."[7]
The show was nominated for the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Drama,[8] along with three Lucille Lortel Award nominations[9], an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination,[10] and four Dorian Award nominations.[11]
Cast and characters
| Character | Off-Broadway 2025[12] |
|---|---|
| Kelly K Klarkson | Essence Lotus |
| Quentavius da Quitter | Oghenero Gbaje |
| Lemon Pepper Wings | Felicia Curry |
Awards and nominations
2025 Off-Broadway production
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Pulitzer Prize for Drama | Nominated | [13] | ||
| Outer Critics Circle Award | Outstanding Scenic Design | Adam Rigg and Anton Volovsek | Nominated | [14] | |
| Lucille Lortel Award | Outstanding Featured Performer in a Play | Felicia Curry | Nominated | [15] | |
| Outstanding Scenic Design | Adam Rigg and Anton Volovsek | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Sound Design | Ryan Gamblin | Nominated | |||
| Dorian Award | Outstanding Off-Broadway Play | Nominated | [16][17] | ||
| Outstanding LGBTQ Off-Broadway Production | Nominated | ||||
| Outstanding Writing for an Off-Broadway Production | Nazareth Hassan | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Design for an Off-Broadway Production | Nominated | ||||