Every so often, a show comes along that reminds you why live theater hits differently. Ken Rex, now playing Off-Broadway in the heart of the Village near Christopher Street, is exactly that kind of show. I walked in, curious. I walked out, floored.
Jack Holden Carries the Whole World on His Shoulders
Let’s start with the obvious headline: Jack Holden is extraordinary. He doesn’t just play one character here. He plays a whole community, slipping in and out of multiple roles with a range and precision that left me genuinely amazed. Each person he becomes is fully realized and completely believable, and the transitions never feel like tricks or gimmicks. They feel like real people stepping into the light.
It’s an exhausting kind of role, the type that would sink a lesser performer. Holden makes it look thrilling instead of grueling. As things on stage grow tense and tangled, he holds it all together with a focus that never slips. I’ve seen a lot of theater this year, and he ranks among the best stage actors I’ve watched in 2026.
A Score That’s Funky, Fun, and Alive
The music deserves its own spotlight. It’s funky, playful, and packed with energy and excitement, and it does far more than fill the gaps between scenes. Musician Ed Stambollouin is a major force here, driving the production forward and giving the storytelling a pulse you can feel. His playing isn’t background. It’s part of the engine. Every time the show shifts gears, the music is right there pushing it ahead.
A True Story That Refuses to Let Go
At its core, Ken Rex tells a gripping true story about a man who terrorized and intimidated a community for years. The narrative follows him as he marries a 14-year-old girl who later becomes pregnant with a daughter, and the weight of that reality lingers over everything. It’s heavy material, but the production handles it with a grip that never loosens. From the first scene to the last, the show keeps you locked in. There’s no drifting attention, no slow stretch where you check your watch. It simply holds you.
The Verdict
Ken Rex is a rare combination of fearless acting, propulsive music, and a story that refuses to let go. Jack Holden’s performance alone is worth the price of admission, and Ed Stambollouin makes the whole thing soar.
Buy the ticket before the show leaves. It’s on limited engagement.
This is one of the best shows I’ve seen in 2026.