Revenge may be a dish that is best served cold, but in the case of someone who has dealt with resentment and recrimination for no fathomable reason, it becomes less about revenge and more about reclaiming their own self-confidence without becoming a losing battle against someone who perhaps doesn't understand their own reasons for what they've done. As this monologue makes very clear in no uncertain terms, the comeuppance is not about revenge but reclamation. They have earned it. So there.

Julie Brandon has brough us another monologue that rips family politeness off its adhesion. It is all the things a monologue should be: well-written, an interesting character and a connection to so many people (we all hear stories) -- It dares to say what few families say to each other. It is chilling. Breathtaking. Human. Well done, Brandon.

A gripping and emotionally complex monologue, Tough Luck delivers a raw exploration of resentment, identity, and moral reckoning. Julie Brandon crafts a vivid, authentic voice that draws us into a deeply personal history, culminating in a chilling and thought-provoking choice. The final turn is both haunting and human, leaving a lasting impression.