FLOWERS IN THE DESERT (the play)/EIGHT DATES (the audio series)

After 14 years of marriage, Britt and Joe called it quits, so Joe is surprised when three years later, Britt asks him to try again. Cheater Joe still loves his ex and their boys, so he’s willing to go along with dates nights and counseling which seem to be going well—until he realizes that Britt has a very specific agenda.

This play was a finalist in the inaugural contest of the American...
After 14 years of marriage, Britt and Joe called it quits, so Joe is surprised when three years later, Britt asks him to try again. Cheater Joe still loves his ex and their boys, so he’s willing to go along with dates nights and counseling which seem to be going well—until he realizes that Britt has a very specific agenda.

This play was a finalist in the inaugural contest of the American Association of Community Theaters.

EIGHT DATES is an serialized audio series of this story. You can find these episodes under "Script sample."
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FLOWERS IN THE DESERT (the play)/EIGHT DATES (the audio series)

Recommended by

  • Rachael Carnes:
    7 Dec. 2020
    A deeply-felt, brutally-honest portrayal of a relationship on the rocks. The want has faded, the need between the characters bullied by their relentless obligations, to children, work, family. This is a couple stretched and tethered by time, yet between them is a surprising depth of humanness, a balance of internal and external pressures that make this one of the most relatable, and dynamic, depictions of couples dysfunction I've had the pleasure to read. Hoke's a master of magnetic dialogue, and the story and its unforgettable characters, pulled me in and held my imagination, for every twist and turn.
  • Mason Golden:
    22 Jan. 2020
    This is a wonderful play with a surprising twist in the story. I think Donna Hoke wrote a wonderful play about a mature couple's relationship, and the hardships that it can sometimes entail. I thoroughly enjoyed my read and sure anyone who read this will laugh out loud with enjoyment as well!
  • Asher Wyndham:
    13 Jul. 2019
    Hoke's play isn't your perfect reconcilation story, and that's what makes it so perfect.
    Anyone who has tried to make up for lost time, struggled to find happiness and redemption with someone from the past, like a former lover or partner, will be able to identify with these complicated characters.
    Their journey to trust again, to communicate better, to confide, to care for reach other is so entertaining. And funny.
    These characters are so well-developed, it's a marvel.
    PRODUCE THIS!

Character Information

  • Joe
    41,
    Any
    ,
    Male
  • Britt
    39,
    Any
    ,
    Female

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Road Less Traveled Productions
    ,
    2012
  • Reading
    ,
    Alt Theatre
    ,
    2012
  • Reading
    ,
    Atlantic Theatre
    ,
    2012
  • Reading
    ,
    Humble Festival of New Plays, Athens, OH
    ,
    2012

Production History

  • Community Theater
    ,
    The Anglian Players, UK
    ,
    2019
  • Community Theater
    ,
    Cotuit Center for the Arts
    ,
    2019
  • High School
    ,
    Grayslake High School
    ,
    2018
  • Professional
    ,
    And Toto Too
    ,
    2017
  • Community Theater
    ,
    Midnight Sun
    ,
    2017
  • Community Theater
    ,
    Elite Theatre
    ,
    2015
  • Community Theater
    ,
    Western Door Playhouse
    ,
    2015
  • Professional
    ,
    Actors Repertory Theatre Luxembourg
    ,
    2015
  • Community Theater
    ,
    Open Eye
    ,
    2014
  • Professional
    ,
    Open Eye Theater
    ,
    2014
  • Community Theater
    ,
    Readers Theater of Ithaca
    ,
    2014

Awards

Finalist
,
The Local
,
Threadbare Theatre Company
,
2017
Semi-Finalist
,
Theatre 503 Playwriting Award
,
Theatre 503
,
2016
Semi-Finalist
,
Silverthorne New Play Competition
,
Silverthorne Theatre
,
2015
Finalist
,
AACT New Play Contest
,
American Association of Community Theaters
,
2013