Squire D. Rathbone, Esq.
Written & Directed by Vincent Marano
Presented by teatro oscuro - Bronx, NY, Presented by the New York City Fringe Festival
Thu April 2 at 8:10pm, Mon April 6 at 9:50pm, Sun April 12 at 5:20pm & Sun April 19 at 3:40pm, 2026
Under St. Marks boomed with mood music. I took my usual seat in the back row (I like to see a full bird’s eye view of the stage) and waited for Squire D. Rathbone, Esq. to begin.
When it began, the audience and I heard a voice off stage for quite some time. We were welcomed into Vincent Marano’s story by the voice of a Young Woman, Brittany Cioce, who also happened to be a mother of a little girl.
When Cioce graced the stage, we heard only her end of the current phone conversation – which we would soon find out is the case for the additional 2 characters we meet. Young Woman was getting ready for a trip away to paradise with Squire D. Rathbone, Esq., a man her mother didn’t approve of.
Cioce delivered an impeccably relatable performance. In this monologue, we sat and listened to the beginnings of Rathbone’s story, his character, and the scandals he had a hand in (or not).
In the next scene, we meet a Detective having a conversation with her Captain. Cecily Lyn Benjamin commanded the stage and brought us deeper into the bigger picture of Marano’s story. Dots are connected.
In this monologue structured play, the audience is along for the ride, learning bit by bit the tragedy and the Young Woman and her daughter, how it all ties together with a crooked, intelligent lawyer, and his involvement (or non-involvement) with a possible pedophile ring.
I must say that I've never seen a show structured quite like this, and it piqued my mystery-loving interest. James M. Armstrong delivered a chillingly intelligent performance embodying Squire D. Rathbone, Esq. His performance and Marano’s writing oozed with smart, menacing, hard truth energy.
What’s the bigger message? Humans can be inhumane. Karma and Dharma are not always what they seem.
Click HERE for tickets.
Review by Amanda Montoni.
Published by Theatre Beyond Broadway on April 6, 2026. All rights reserved.
