Andre Amarotico as Clark- Mathew Kropschot, as Nolan
Central Works’ stirring world premiere of Push/Pull by Harry Davis artfully immerses audiences in a rarely explored theatrical setting—a gym—while remarkably tackling an equally distinctive subject: weightlifting and manhood. Under the deft direction of Gary Graves, two weightlifters perform just feet from the audience, leaving the audience to wonder: How much weight do we carry? How much much “bigger” do we need to be in all aspects of our lives?
Set designer Joseph Nemeth crafts a raw, bare-bones garage space, where weight bars stand among shelves of storage, perfectly framing the unfolding drama. Overlooking the gym is a photo of Zyzz—an iconic fitness figure whose influence looms over the play. Sound Director Gregory Scharpen’s experimental music fills the space, setting the atmosphere.
The play follows strength-obsessed Nolan, weight lifter Matthew Kropschot, whose dream is to “go pro,” after first winning an amateur title. His high-school chum, the anxiety-ridden Clark, Andre Amarotico, recently released from a mental health center, reconnects with him. Nolan encourages his slightly-built buddy to lift weights—no more women will leave him. Clark wants to “tone” his body. Nolan scoffs: “Tone does not exist—it never did.”
Matthew Kropschot as Nolan
Director Graves empowers the characters to explode into the pinnacle of their own madness. Through seamless and succinctly choreographed movements, Amarotico and Kropschot navigate the compact garage gym with precision. Kropschot’s striking physicality and body language, vividly convey the portrait of a weightlifter’s struggle with the meaning of masculinity.
Both characters question what it means to “be male,” and how genetics shape self-perception. As a result, they begin to wonder: What does a pull-up truly signify? Ultimately, the act of pushing oneself to complete five pull-ups becomes more than a test of strength. It’s a desperate attempt to emulate a hero like Zyzz, the fitness influencer who died at 22, and to forge a sense of worth. For Nolan, winning means “ripping apart your body” to get to the “proper shit inside me.” Even if he has to cheat. His intensity is palpable with every grunt and strain.
Andre Amarotico as Clark- Mathew Kropschot, as Nolan
Clark contrasts sharply to the relentless, brooding Nolan, who refuses to rest, his focus unwavering. Their dynamic keeps the audience engaged as the play continually shifts the possibility of success, keeping us on edge. Amarotico powerfully portrays the ambivalent and deeply troubled Clark as he wrestles with his role as Nolan’s coach. He questions the process of getting physically “jacked.” However, he soon becomes engrossed, letting go of his fixation on the woman who left him months earlier.
Andre Amarotico as Clark
Meanwhile, Nolan clings to an obsessive-compulsive fantasy of going pro, even as external forces chip away at him—like losing his menial job.
As their relationship blooms and wilts, their unspoken closeness deepens, as the pivotal amateur competition looms ever closer.
Central Works’ Push/Pull is a visceral ceremony of manhood—a raw exploration of what it means to push oneself to the brink, to seek validation through physical strength, and to wrestle with the feeling of being small by appearing larger than life.
“Push/Pull” is a thought-provoking experience-one that shouldn’t be missed.
“Push/Pull,” written by Harry Davis, directed by Gary Graves at Central Works, Berkeley, CA centralworks.org to March 30, 2025
cast: Matthew Kropschot, Andre Amarotico
PHOTOS BY: Robbie Sweeny