Press

“His Twitter bio says, “Copywriter by day, playwright by night.” His production of HOLD at this year’s Planet Connections Theatre Festivity proves he should quit his day job.”
–ReviewFix’s Top Ten Off-Off Broadway Professionals in New York City

The Gifted Program

“You saw The Breakfast Club and Heathers. So why see Ruben Carbajal’s revisitation of the war between high-school burnouts, popular people, and dorks? Because Mike Shapiro’s direction crackles, Joey (Brenton Popolizio) is one sexy nerd, and the outrage of Lester Suh (Aron Yoo) at his dungeonmaster’s misuse of elves will convulse anybody who has ever known a D. & D. obsessive. Carbajal’s humor alternates between lacerating and indulgent, and never slackens.”
– The New Yorker

“This goodhearted, often hysterical production is far more than That ’80s Show meets Revenge of the Nerds. . . . Endearing and witty.”
– Citysearch.com

“Staff Pick”
– The Leonard Lopate Show

“…sensationalizing high school while still showing the serious themes of popularity, love, friendship, and power. Perhaps none of us were recluses in the gifted program, but we can all relate to the issues of adolescence that The Gifted Program evokes so well.”
– The Columbia Daily Spectator

“Teenaged angst isn’t what it used to be.”
– Interview with NYTheatre.com

Subdivison

I love stuff that pushes boundaries. I like being placed off-center, challenged, scared.
–Interview with Adam Szymkowicz

HOLD

One of ReviewFix’s Top Ten Off-Off Broadway Productions of 2011

“In just 25 minutes, Ruben Carbajal’s Hold is able to make you laugh and think about your life.”
–Review Fix

“Filled with wit and humor”
–Pedestrian Theatre Blog

“Ruben Carbajal contributed this scathing dark comedy about a nameless man trying to get help through a suicide hotline.”
–Connect Savannah

“Something dark and funny. Chocolate Mousse?”
–StageBuzz Interview

“James Lentini is nothing short of stellar in this performance.”
–Podcast Interview with Review Fix

The Man Who Stopped

“Explorations of Angst, Though Not Hamlet’s”
–The New York Times