Bent Through Glass

Bent Through Glass

30^th Street Theater
April 3, 2026 

Photo courtesy of Bent Throguh Glass

Bent Through Glass, written and performed by Alex Koltchak, tells an amazing story of love, loss, and the journey toward healing.  Mr. Koltchak takes the audience through events leading up to and following a personal family tragedy.  He is honest and raw, genuine and clear.  Director Michael Sladek guides him through each moment, bringing his journey to compelling emotional closure. 

When Alex Koltchak enters the stage, he wastes no time getting directly to the point.  He immediately shares that, at fifteen years of age, his oldest daughter, Parker, took her own life.  He repeats it several times, almost as if he needs to hear it himself in order to believe it.  He goes back in time and talks about his daughter’s birth, then about the day he met his ex-wife, Deb.  The story continues to move backwards, as he recalls his father’s angry outbursts, his parents’ divorce, and his struggle being raised by an emotionally distant single mother.  He then moves forward, talking about his marriage and family life, raising three children, and the effect his sarcastic sense of humor had on Deb.  After he and his wife divorce, Parker is diagnosed as bi-polar.  She struggles through her early teens, moving from school to school.  When they find an out of state school for her, she begins to find her creative voice.  All seems well, until one early morning when he receives a phone call from her school with tragic news. 

Alex Koltchak
Photo courtesy of Bent Through Glass

The love Mr. Kotltchak feels for his family drives the telling of his story.  He truthfully shares events that are full of uncomfortable and challenging moments.  He never has an unkind word the people involved, and always addresses them respectfully.  This is what keeps the audience fully absorbed and caring.  That caring is not only for his wellbeing, but is extended to every person he talks about.

There are serious moments where Mr. Koltchak is overwhelmed by emotion.  He allows these feelings to fill him up.  As he moves through them, you start to wonder if he has gotten passed the grief and loss from this tragic experience.  Then he shares a story of when he took his two younger children to a Yankee game.  In one moment, they connect as one, and the journey toward healing begins. 

Bent Through Glass is playing at 30^th Street Theater (259 W. 30^th St., NYC) through April 25.  It is a poignant, personal story, skillfully crafted and openly shared.  Don’t miss it. 

Domenick Danza