THE REAL DEAL
“Set in the Bronx shortly after Prohibition, this play is a behind-the scenes peek into a nightclub ruled by a sadistic Mob goon — a human zoo where the mighty hold sway. The writing has a no-frills muscularity that delivers a gut-punch from the very first scene, while the beautifully observed characters include a deliciously foul villain who never tips over into caricature. Tense, shattering, and richly satisfying, with nary a false moment in the mix.”
Kathleen Foley

FANTASTIC PLAY
“Such a good read. Made me want to sip a martini as I time travel back to NY in the 30’s. Characters are well fleshed out and the dialogue weaves a very compelling tale about life in the clubs almost 100 years ago. Enjoyed reading this very much and I look forward to what the author comes up with next.”
Rory Z

NONSTOP ROMP
“This is a fresh and fabulous dark comedy set in the back room of a mid-century, mob run strip joint. Two underdogs get the better of the evilest mobster ever. The language is precise and consistently written. With rhythm like “The Thin Man” and jokes that echo mid-century with a fresh spark of today’s cynicism. The ending is unexpected and satisfying.”
Liz Burdick

PERCOLATES AND POPS
“Saying Paul Stroili has a way with words would be a huge understatement. If you like weighty characters that snap, crackle, and pop and dialogue that cuts like a serial killer, you’re in the right place. He paints with mood, the sweetest vernacular, and the zeitgeist of the period with substance, humor, and zeal. Bravo.”
Oscar Jordan

A GEM
“Read AARDVARK twice to capture things I missed the first time. The dialogue is tight. The setting and feel for the period is spot on. The ending? Fuhgeddaboudit, know what I mean? Funny, touching, and a little scary. Actors will have a wonderful time filling in the spaces Mr. Stroili has artfully left for them. This is not a huge, complicated, production. It is a brilliant gem.”
Frank B

THIS IS A SHOW TO PRODUCE
“This script was a great read with fast pacing, tight dialogue and lots of little touches to put you in the world of The Aardvark and its inhabitants. If you are looking for a great three actor show that will keep the audience talking well after they leave the theater, this is the one for you.”
Joe Larkin

TERRIFIC PLAY WITH WONDERFUL CHARACTERS
“‘Last Call at the Aardvark” is a funny, clever, and ultimately very touching play about a group of vivid characters all facing, in one way or another, their “last call.” Strolli’s use of language, which embraces the poetry of 30’s New York crime slang, serves both the story and it’s people in many surprising and delightful ways. “Aardvark” draws the audience into a seedy post-Prohibition world of old speak-easys and burlesque reminiscent of “Guys and Dolls.” A great read and, with a cast of three memorable characters, highly performable.”
Paul Buxton

THIS PLAY JUMPS RIGHT OFF THE PAGE
“Visceral, funny, moving and original, Mr. Stroili has created a wonderful, three-dimensional world and the characters that inhabit it are alternately charming, menacing and hilarious. One set, three characters and a tight, lean writing style make this play ideal for a small, intimate theatre. Highly recommended.”
Kevin Theis

MORE TRICKS UP HIS SLEEVE
“Sure, the magician never actually appears on stage in LAST CALL AT THE AARDVARK, but playwright Paul Stroili keeps pulling the rabbits out of his hat until the Twist (you know, the dame, the frail) pulls a final twist. I’ll admit it, I’m a sucker for the Broadway rat-a-tat-tat talk of Hecht and MacArthur, Damon Runyon and the like, and Stroili’s ear is perfect for that patois. And he sets the audience up for a sucker punch, leading us along the garden path thinking we’re going to see a story about a half-baked comic trying to fix his flailing act with a help of a big-hearted stripper. But there is much more going on here — much, much more. The noose is tightened, but not the way you thought it would be, and the coup de grace is, well, what can you call it but a coup de theatre. Theaters looking for a dazzling showpiece for a trio of actors ready to play at the top of their game should really give a good hard squint at LAST CALL AT THE AARDVARK.”
Kerr Lockhart

SHAKEN, STIRRED, AND DREAMING OF THE 30s
“Stunning dialogue with quick paced action, then BOOM, it’s over… and all you want is more. It’s shocking to realize this story was told by only three characters. The world Stroili creates within ‘The Aardvark’ is so rich I was convinced I knew everyone on the block, and was ready to step out the door, grab a paper from my buddy at the local newsstand, then sit down at the diner for a five cent cuppa Joe. If only Stroili could translate my everyday life into 1930’s vernacular things would be so much richer. And that ending? You’ll never see it coming. Go get ‘em Honey!”
Cyrus Mirakhor

DIRECT HIT… BANG
“A direct hit from Paul Stroili! The atmosphere enveloped me from the first line and drew me right back in time. The sharp dialogue and vivid characters held me there in New York until the very last page. This play is perfection for live theatre, waiting to happen.”
Tracy Petry

ABSOLUTELY A MUST READ
“LAST CALL AT THE AARDVARK is one of those rare scripts- funny, full of suspense, heart felt -and endearing. Mr. Stroili’s characters leap from the page into our hearts from the get-go, taking us with them through every twist and turn. Mr. Stroili knocks it out of the proverbial park with this (single-set)compelling three-hander.”
Michelle Mountain

I SAW THE PLAY IN MY HEAD
“The play just jumped off the page to the point where I read through this twice – and honestly – I was able to picture the characters, the stage, the set, the drummer and bass player and instead of reading the script, I “heard” the dialogue and pictured each character almost as though as I watching the play. Funny, sad and shocking all at the same time. Paul Stroili shows you the magician he is with this play – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.”
Steve McGarry

LESS IS DEFINITELY MORE
“Mr. Stroili captures the urban grit of New York in the mid 30’s at a breakneck pace while presenting incredibly detailed characters and atmosphere with whip smart, lightning fast dialogue that combines humor and poignancy in the style of David Mamet. The final plot twist is on the money! Can’t wait to see this production!”
John Dalesandro