In this quietly beautiful story, beautifully told, Lauren Smerkanich demonstrates how much power can be packed into a short play.

Where certain holiday traditions feel necessary and others feel performative, Smerkanich's Halloween reminds us to never assume our traditions translate. In this play, there is room for scoffing and room for learning how to communicate again. Wry yet heart-forward, I found this piece deeply reminiscent of people I know, which perhaps is a testament to Smerkanich's excellent carving of characters. I worked as a festival coordinator for the OOB Festival with this piece and would love a chance to work with this playwright, too!

The play starts on a well-trod path that you think you've seen before, but then ends on a stunningly beautiful note of humanity and heartache that will catch you by surprise and make you realize that none of the "normal" conversations were "normal" at all. A lovely, deftly written piece!