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SAFE by Donna Hoke

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  • Nick Malakhow:
    31 Mar. 2020
    “ What a beautifully-constructed play that makes such excellent and poignant use of double-casting. I loved how repeated gestures/tics were employed across generations. Donna Hoke explores homophobia and other kinds of prejudice, societal structures that keep us in cycles of oppression, and redemption in a briskly-moving 90-or-so minutes! I appreciated the way the play wound back and forth through time, yet always felt as if it was structurally moving forward at a steady clip. Hoke has rendered some very three-dimensional and vividly-realized characters here. The final stage image is gorgeous and well-earned. I'd love to see a production! ”
  • Doug DeVita:
    27 Dec. 2019
    “ Powerful, gut-wrenching look at homophobia and bullying, and what has, and more importantly, has not changed in 30 years. What makes it even more touching is how it’s told through the memories of one person, and how she reacts to what she did, and didn’t, do at two key stages in her life. Compelling dialogue, seamless time shifts, and recognizably human characters make “Safe” a worthy addition to the LGBTQ canon. ”
  • Siegmund Fuchs:
    16 Jul. 2019
    “ SAFE is a great piece about homophobia and bullying, leading up to a wonderful and haunting climax that is both theatrical and dialogue-driven. SAFE would be a great pick for a queer festival or for Pride Month. ”
  • Scott Sickles:
    19 Aug. 2015
    “ SAFE is a powerful piece about the multi-generational pervasiveness of homophobia told from the point of view of a woman whose past mistakes with a gay friend come back to haunt her decades later when she encounters similar prejudices and circumstances. The narrative presents a gripping puzzle that slowly reveals itself as the weight of her memories and regrets bear down on her. Eternally topical yet intimately personal, SAFE reminds us that bigotry and abuse can still hide within the most outwardly friendly people. The graveyard confrontation between two mothers is extraordinary.
    ”
  • DC Cathro:
    10 Aug. 2015
    “ Great dialogue, important, topical, and real punch-in-the-gut emotions. ”
  • Stephen Kaplan:
    1 Aug. 2015
    “ Using the two time settings, the play beautifully and sadly captures the effects of bullying and societal pressures on teens and their long-lasting aftermath. Easily relatable to audiences of all ages and important to see by mixed audiences as well. ”
  • Jon Elston:
    11 Feb. 2015
    “ Road Less Traveled Productions (Associate Member, NNPN) is proud to announce our world premiere production of Donna Hoke's SAFE in March 2016, and we hope other NNPN members will join us in producing this vital new play.

    For us, SAFE addresses themes even more universally resonant than those of bullying, domestic violence, or teen sexuality. This is a play about the slow process of recognizing and confronting intolerance, in our community as well as in our hearts.

    SAFE is the winner of Naatak’s Playwriting Contest 2015 (Santa Clara, CA) and the Todd McNerney National Playwriting Contest (2015). Read it! ”