Bathhouse.pptx

by Jesús I. Valles, Jeremy O Harris (Contributor)

The sixteenth winner of the Yale Drama Prize, a big-hearted evocation of queer intimacy set in a bathhouse at the end of the world
 
In this love letter to queer bathhouse culture, the Presenter, a Mexican-American public-speaking student, is thrust into the landscapes of queer intimacy, colonialism, and erotic community when their class presentation on the history of cleanliness and bathing starts to unravel. What had been a single presentation soon becomes a chorus, joining student presenters with the ghosts of bathhouses past, present, and future, along with the cleaning staff, A Conquistador!, and officials from the Centers for Disease Control, to explore queer desire and the gleeful delights of messiness. Here in the bathhouse at the end of the world, Jesús I. Valles conjures the ever-present yearning for skin to touch skin, a place of connection that shimmers in the steam of the bathhouse and refuses to ever fully fade.
 
Bathhouse.pptx is the sixteenth winner of the Yale Drama Series prize and first winner chosen by Tony-nominated playwright Jeremy O. Harris.

Genres: Plays

160 pages, Paperback

Published November 19, 2024

Reviews

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, rounded up.

During roughly the first third of this play I thought it pretty dreadful and was bemoaning the fact this won the Yale Drama Award, even going so far as to suspect the ONLY reason it did so is because sole judge Jeremy O. Harris (of Slave Play fame) was determined it go to another queer playwright of color.

But then it got increasingly more assured and interesting, and by the end it had more or less won me over. I still have qualms - even the playwright suggests it might NOT even be produceable - and indeed, so far it has had three workshops, but no full-on productions (reviews of a workshop at NY's The Flea are below)

Another rewrite, a truncation of the beginning and cutting some of the less stage worthy elements would go well towards making this a very intriguing proposition for an adventurous queer theatre company. Should my SF-based NCTC ever do it, I'll be there to witness the result

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/29/th...
https://stageandcinema.com/2024/03/23...
https://newyorktheater.me/2024/03/23/...
https://www.theatermania.com/news/rev...
https://playbill.com/article/bathhous...

[Bea · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Imagine that smallest version of yourself, that teenage fury, terrified and terrifying. Imagine all that longing that small person held in their desk, in their body rebelling with and against them, imagine the moment that young person knew touch could feel good. Perhaps it is too much to imagine this…Imagine you are always moments away from the first time your heart broke.”

[Hector Ordaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bathhouse.pptx was not only a good read but felt as if I could really internalize myself in the work because it covers certain specific themes. The themes of the play deal with self identity, the body and technology, as well as both physical and technological spaces. The overall message of the play to the reader is that technology really plays a huge role in our everyday lives as well as having to deal with living in a digital world not really taking into consideration everything happening around us. The use of the Bathhouse was a great physical location used to showcase just how this location is used for pleasure hidden from the world but can also serve different purposes to different people utilizing it to their own benefit for a low entry cost. For example, some people use it to discover their internal hidden desires meanwhile others may use it as a place of shelter to spend a night in and freshen up for a low cost. Each character in the play serves a different role into further analyzing and developing the play. For example, Marta who is never really seen by the people who go there sees everything but keeps a low profile hiding like a ghost within the shadows since all people see is her sober shadow quickly slip in and out of the bathhouse. This character exemplifies the way in which every person who enters this location wants to not only keep this a secret but also slipping in and out like a shadow. Overall participating in going into places like this is frowned upon by society and can be seen as taboo but in reality it serves different purposes in self discovery or simply to just stop by. The play was well written and really has you think about discovering what your hidden desires could be in a positive manner free from criticism.

[Gabriela Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesús I. Valles’ Bathhouse.pptx is a brilliant, bold, and genre-defying play that blurs the line between performance, poetry, and historical reflection. Structured as a tenth grade PowerPoint presentation, it unpacks themes like cleanliness, queerness, shame, and the ghosts of spaces lost to time. The writing is urgent and electric, but deeply funny, while also portraying a sense of loneliness and longing.
Valles was able to carefully combine history- of bathhouses and other queer spaces under threat- with personal confession, and social critique.
One character that stood out to me was Chela, a bathhouse cleaner who’s tough on the outside, but hides a quiet kindness. She reluctantly decides to help Carlos, a lost and vulnerable young man. Their relationship demonstrates a genuine human connection despite the harsh realities of the world.
One specific line I liked was “You keep conjuring a series of invasive thoughts that manifest in the shape of authority figures and men taking up too much space, effectively rendering all of your anxieties into fractals of your own shame so that you can keep yourself from saying what you actually want to say, probably” (pg 37).
I would absolutely recommend this play to anyone who loves experimental theatre, or is interested in learning more about queer history. I think this play is definitely meant to be read aloud, and discussed with others. Overall, I really enjoyed this play!

[Alexa Pantoja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the introduction of the play because it explains what you are going to see and expect as you read along. I liked the description of the characters and how it tells you that these are adults playing 10th graders in which you can already imagine a cast. Then it also explains that it’s a messy play and it’s not supposed to make sense. I liked those explanations because as I was reading I kept pausing trying to understand what I just read but then I kept reminding myself that it’s not supposed to make sense so I just went along and tried not to get hung up on the details. Since the characters were well described then you can put yourself in their shoes or at least know what it likes to work along one of those characters when doing group presentations. To be honest, I’m not sure how I feel about the Bathhouse because it was all over the place and I prefer to read things that are streamlined. However, even though it’s chaotic I was compelled and perhaps even hooked to finish the whole thing. There were times I wanted to put it down but I was curious to know if the presenter was ever going to finish his presentation which is why I continued until the end. While the context was a little graphic somehow it felt wholesome in the end. Like a bit of nostalgia and just feeling trapped in your memories. With that, I definitely recommend for others to read!

[Cinthia Ambriz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going into the reading, I knew that it would involve some deep yet light hearted conversations with characters. Especially in the beginning where Jesus Valles is giving his explanation for the writing in the first place as well as how he hopes it is portrayed should the play be acted out on stage. However, once we started reading and I got about 50 pages in, I had to literally stop and re-read the page a few times because of how surprised I was with what was being told. Growing up, my family was pretty conservative and would always try to change the subject whenever sex was brought up. However, this play talked about it with no shame, no guilt, just plain truth and how they saw it. The term bathhouse wasn't necessarily a place one goes to shower, it was a more meaningful term, it showed the characters' lives and how they viewed certain sexual aspects among themselves. Although I may not personally relate to things that certain individuals were going through, it really made you stop and realize that this is a reality for many individuals, to them it is just another day. Jesus did an amazing job writing this play and I was captivated by every page and definitely think that others should take the time to read it because it might open up new perspectives that they had never even thought about.

[Samantha Fabila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This play explores themes of queer history, passion, and erasure by using a bathhouse as a literal and metaphorical way to examine community, grief and desire. This play is unique to traditional storytelling by having the audience witness and remember both the past and present. Valles' writing style is quite poetic, urgent and deeply self-analyzing. Their use of language is natural, yet intense in capturing the pain and beauty of queer. The PowerPoint format makes the play feel personal, like a confession that invites the audience into an intimate conversation. Valles includes a sense of humor, historical analysis, and deeply intimate storytelling. I would definitely recommend this play to those who are interested in queer history, and students who find interest in performance art, queer studies, or those who appreciate non-traditional storytelling. Personally, Chela, the bathhouse cleaning lady, is my favorite character. She represents care, resilience and the unseen labor that seems to hold queer spaces together. She is acts as more than just a cleaning lady, she's represents the backbone of the community, she offers tough love (which is something I'm familiar with), and she bridges generations. I don't have a specific favorite quote, but my favorite parts in the play were definitely the comedic comments, it made the play more engaging.

[Wilian Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bathhouse starts off messy and hard to follow, but as it goes on, the scattered structure starts to make sense. The play shows the presenter’s struggle with identity, memories, and desire, making it feel personal and real.
The writing feels all over the place but in a way that fits the story. It jumps between an academic presentation and deep, emotional moments, making the reader feel the presenter’s confusion and vulnerability. The sudden shifts in tone can be surprising, but they add to the raw and honest feeling of the play.
Mx. Vazquez was a strong character, keeping the presenter on track while everything else fell apart. One line that stood out was: “Memory is not a straight line; it loops, it jumps, it deceives.” (Page X). This really sums up the whole play—memories don’t always come in order, but they still tell a story.
I’d recommend Bathhouse to anyone who likes unique and emotional stories. It’s not for someone who prefers a clear and simple plot, but if you’re open to something different, it’s worth reading.

[Mallory Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bathhouse.pptx has been such a wonderful experience and read for me. One thing I really liked about this read was the variety of characters because there wasn't just one storyline and everything was something new. As for the writing style it is very blunt but in a very good way, it keeps the storylines entertaining and amusing. One of my favorite characters in this read was definitely the character of Chela, for me she felt like my alter ego with the way that she expressed herself and talked. Another thing that I highly enjoyed when reading this was when Laura Linney was mentioned, she is one of my favorite actresses and with the mention of the show Tales of the City, I felt a connection to the reading at that moment and got really excited. At first when I started reading I was a little confused and didn't really know what to expected, but it ended up being very interesting and the flow of the read was nice. I highly recommend this reading, it's a rollercoaster of emotions but a very good experience overall.

[Alejandro Burger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesús I. Valles’ Bathhouse.pptx is a bold and inventive work that blends humor, trauma, and history into a surreal theatrical experience. The play’s PowerPoint-style structure is both chaotic and purposeful, mirroring the fragmented ways in which queer and Latinx histories are remembered and erased. Valles’ writing is sharp, poetic, and deeply self-aware, shifting between biting satire and raw vulnerability. The play critiques institutions that police bodies through the language of cleanliness, making bathhouses a powerful metaphor for queer survival and state violence. My favorite character was Chela, whose no-nonsense attitude and reluctant compassion highlight the unseen labor that sustains queer spaces. One line that stood out to me was “You keep conjuring a series of invasive thoughts that manifest in the shape of authority figures and men taking up too much space” (p. 37), perfectly capturing the way shame and surveillance shape queer existence. I highly recommend this play to those who appreciate experimental theater and urgent, unapologetic storytelling.

[April Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought Jesus I Valles Bathhouse.pptx was a very interesting read because it was written in a freestyle that is not supposed to make sense. The introduction does a great job explaining that because I think without it I would've been frustrated as to why some parts don't make sense. I also loved how they included "First, no version of this play should exist with an all-white cast. Like, read the play." I love that they included this because we don't need another POC play to be white-washed, retold in their interpretation, and market off POC. Although the play was not supposed to make sense and parts of the story were scattered I thought it was a very creative way of writing because towards the end I think the story came together. It made that connection between the struggle of identity and desires that the presenter felt which made me feel a closer connection to the story because of my Chicana identity. I recommend this book, it's a fun read and it's worth seeing the story come together.

[Gladis Verdin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The bathhouse is a unique book to read, since it speaks about a place that not many people know of. The different themes and emotions it portrays stand out, especially when reading the different emotions that the presenter goes through. There is a variety of different slides, that each contain changes of scenarios. For example, one scenario could be the presenter speaking about baths while the next could be a sexual interaction. The visual description of certain statements will catch you off guard, since it speaks about sexual interactions with men for the main part of the book. One character that really caught my attention was teacher Mx Vazquez, since she motivated the presenter to keep going. Regardless of the emotion that the presenter was feeling, she never gave up on him and would correct him to build structure. I would recommend this book to people that are interested in these type of themes, but overall the book was very intriguing and displayed emotions well.

[Blanca · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a reason this play has gained the praise, it has. The passion and intensity that this is written by the author can be seen through the words and emotions posed in this book. Given the context of this play, specifically what it is that Bathhouses entail, I thought the character of 'Chela' was one of my favorite characters. This is simply because of her day to day mannerisms, being the cleaning lady of this bathhouse. Her role, while it might seem minimal, connects various other charcters together and through her creates community for those who attend this space. Of course, there are other main characters that have more involvement and main stream throughout. Yet, given the theme of this play is for queer longing, and queer grief, having a charchter like Chela brings the perspective of humanness. Good read, if you want to learn more about queer history with a twist into bathhouses.

[Andres Aguayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bathhouse was a novel that had many mystery and romance conflicts within the storylines. The narrative was very emotional and personal, which gave the audience a first-hand acknowledgment of the character's feelings. The dialogue between characters was raw and their journey was heartbreaking. The book provides a variety of themes such as love, identity, and acceptance of oneself. One quote that stood out to me was on page 29, stating "A clean child takes time, but when you don't have much, cleaning children must be done fast and rough, with hot water, because if you were a very, very poor person cleaning other people's homes, the best things you could have was a very, very clean child." This quote resonated with me because my mom would always clean other people's homes. She was also a big believer in hygiene and would always bathe me the same way. This book will have many insights and quotes that may resonate with you or it may help you learn something new about other cultures.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have had the pleasure to have been able to read this book in one of my Chicano Classes and having Jesus, himself, come into class and speak to us made the book much more interring and captivating than it already is. Throughout this book you will laugh, relate to character, see a little of history, and understand how poetry can be used in many different ways. My favorite character was Chela. She reminds me of all the older Latina women who clean and take children under their wing when they see that their life is hard. She was a fascinating personally in which, many Latinos can relate to seeing it in their own house hold. She’s very strong willed, tries to show no care, and be very straight forward, but in really you can genuinely see that she cares for Carlos. While reading this you will see that the character have much more than you can imagine. You will compare it very much to real life events. The reading itself is very straight forward and easy to follow along with.

[Dalilah Toledo-Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Bathhouse.pptx because of the way it deeply explores the complexities of being queer while exploring various parts of identity and connection with relatable characters. I appreciate the way Bathhouse.pptx describes the idea of bathhouses as someone who had no prior knowledge of what they are. After reading it, I really feel that I could paint a picture of what they are and how they look in my head. I also really liked the style and structure that it was written in, like the form of a PowerPoint presentation. I think it kept me engaged and made the time reading go by quickly. I would highly recommend Bathhouse.pptx to anyone seeking to read about the realities of finding identity unapologetically, regardless of the possibility of discomfort. I think this project was beautifully written and raw and even inspiring.

[Rina Anaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bathhouse.pptx is a must read. It is a bold, interesting and unique play about identity and self discovery. The play made me feel like I was scrolling through subconscious thoughts compared to traditional story lines. The writing is fast, and it can get really emotional. I will say there were times that I was left confused but that feeling actually fits perfectly in. The characters all hold different roles, Marta embodies secrecy and observation and Chela offers warmth. The play portrays how bathhouses serve different roles for different people. The bathhouse is shown as a place that means a space of pleasure, secrecy and survival. It really brought out a mix of emotions, I felt humored, sometimes saddened. It is a deep read that challenges societal norms but can be hard to read for those who are used to clear simple stories or those that have short attention spans.

[George Jeremiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bathhouse.pptx is messy, unpredictable, and completely gripping. The way it jumps between a ridiculous high school PowerPoint and a heartfelt reflection on disappearing queer spaces should not work-- but somehow, it does. The moment when the bathhouse ghosts start talking feels like memory itself pushing back against being forgotten, and it hit me hard. There is a balance of humor and real emotion that makes the whole thing feel alive, like it is unfolding in real-time rather than just being read. The dialogue is fast and messy, but in a way that feels purposeful, pulling you deeper into the story’s rhythm. It never loses its playfulness, but when it gets serious, it really lands. It is weird, funny, and surprisingly moving-- I recommend it to anyone who loves stories that refuse to be ordinary!

[Angel Patino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked Bathhouse.pptx it’s chaotic but in a way that keeps me hooked. The structure is all over the place but it works, especially when it shifts from a goofy high school presentation to something deeper about lost queer spaces. One part that really stuck with me was when the ghosts of the bathhouse start talking like memories refusing to be erased. The mix of irony and real emotion makes it feel alive, like it’s something you experience rather than just read. I also like how the dialogue is fast and messy because it makes it super intentional. It doesn’t take itself too seriously but when it hits, it hits. Overall it’s a fun, strange, and surprisingly emotional read I’d definitely would recommend it.

[Emelee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bathhouse.pptx is definitely a good read. If you have the time, I encourage you to read it. It is a unique and intense read that introduces new perspectives and ideas, especially about bathhouses as a space. I think this work can have an impact as it is a powerful play. I read this for one of my college classes, I also got the opportunity to listen to Jesus Valles about his work, both reading Bathhouse. pptx and attending class with him as a guest speaker was enjoyable, aside from his great personality, I enjoy reading this play and I think it's a great read that opens to unconventional storytelling. I believe that this work is emotional and has a strong impact on those who take the time to read it. It's a little messy at first, but worth pushing through.

[Juan Estrada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bathhouse.pptx takes its reader on a journey through a wide array of themes about identity. Jesus Valles uses unapologetic language in creating a wide array of characters that all add to the play's humorous nature. The humor comes from the character's interactions and their connection to real world issues that make the jokes stand out. The theme about finding one's identity amidst the humor and satire revealing the importance that community building has in identity. The Presenter and their interactions throughout the play captures societal problems through humor and a presentation that flows smoothly the more you progress into the play. Overall, I highly recommend checking it out when wanting to read something that can make you think and laugh!

[Ruben A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful and honest piece. I read the screenplay for a class, and it was something that I've never read before. You can tell by the way the writing is that bathhouses are important and have a beautiful significance in gay culture (male-on-male.) Something in which I've never experienced, but this play really shows you and immerses oneself in bathhouses, and it shows the beauty of them. To many, bathhouses seem as this taboo or looked down on, but to me this play shows the beauty of them, havens that protect gay men. Places that become safe spaces, homes, actual baths or showers to individuals who don't have that luxury.

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bathhouse by Jesus Valles is an extremely deep and powerful play. It challenges traditional forms of poetry as well as safety and desire within queer spaces. While it may feel uncomfortable or uneasy to read at times it brings to light some difficult questions that people shouldn't shy away from. My favorite character is by far the narrator as they are unfiltered and can be seen to be vulnerable at times. The use of language is also particularly interesting as it is at sometimes powerful and unwavering and in others can be calm and sensitive. I would highly recommend Bathhouse to readers who appreciate poetry and are interested in queer literate.

[Aaron Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This deserves three-and-a-half stars, rounded up. The thing is, its structure is a disaster. It opens with a really annoying series of prologues (akin to the way Branden Jacobs-Jenkins opens An Octoroon). These sections are awkward and frustrating and seem to revel in their awkwardness.

But then the play transforms into something really wonderful and sexy and heartfelt. The last half of the show works really, really well.

[David Marsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Positively atrocious first third. That's four or five Darlings to face a firing squad. Improves afterwards, with an amateur sexy/sentimental angle that's easy to connect with. I'm mostly tired of sex in late 20th/21st century Western writing, what of this relentless insistence on sex without love, without sensuality, without human purpose (sure, I sound prudish, whatever); Valles is commendable in, eventually, finding the latter two of these qualities in his subject(s). Neat!

[Mady Thetard]

Beautiful!!!

[zz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is the shower a gym? Is the rectum a grave? Is the mother a place?