BEST LAID PLAN(t)S by Donna Hoke

IN DEVELOPMENT: FEEDBACK WELCOME!!

Bennett won't believe what his best friend and sister keep telling him: his girlfriend Nina is maybe a little abusive. Bennett also won't believe what Nina is telling him: that his best friend Jason has feelings for him.
After a jealous Nina maybe accidentally sets fire to Bennett's apartment, Bennett reexamines his feelings and is stunned...
IN DEVELOPMENT: FEEDBACK WELCOME!!

Bennett won't believe what his best friend and sister keep telling him: his girlfriend Nina is maybe a little abusive. Bennett also won't believe what Nina is telling him: that his best friend Jason has feelings for him.
After a jealous Nina maybe accidentally sets fire to Bennett's apartment, Bennett reexamines his feelings and is stunned to discover that labels lose and love wins--if only someone other than his plants will believe him.



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BEST LAID PLAN(t)S

Recommended by

  • John Mabey:
    7 Jun. 2021
    “ This delightful play resonates with such romance and longing, complete with insightful plants. In BEST LAID PLAN(t)S, Donna Hoke crafts fascinating characters who commit and collide as they discover what they truly want. And the addition of talking plants makes for a truly unique play about sexuality and love in a world where labels don't always fit. ”
  • Enid Cokinos:
    9 Mar. 2021
    “ A well-told story by Donna Hoke about friendship and lessons of love (often learned the hard way). Distinct characters, relatable interactions, and snappy dialogue make for a delightful romantic comedy. I especially enjoyed Xyler and Anthis–houseplants that add an interesting perspective about what is happening around them! This play is sure to be a hit with audiences everywhere. ”
  • Jacksonville State University Department of Theatre and Film:
    18 Oct. 2020
    “ What a delightful play! We chose this as a Staged Reading to celebrate Gay History Month, and the student actors overwhelmingly loved the work. They were excited to see such real relationships represented in honest ways that were both humorous and heart-felt. And the added element of the plant characters gives the play an insightfulness in the most unexpected ways. It was a great choice! Thank you, DH, for your funny and thoughtful work! ”
View all 9 recommendations

Character Information

  • BENNETT
    mid-thirties,
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • JASON
    Mid 20s to mid 30s,
    Male
    Bennett's best friend
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • NINA
    Early twenties to early thirties,
    Female
    Bennett's girlfriend
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • WENDY
    fortyish, about six or seven years older than Bennett,
    Female
    Bennett's sister
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • XYLER
    Depiction of the non-binary plants is flexible, i.e. can be played with costumed actors, puppets, or voiced. Ideally, they are cast with genderqueer actors/puppeteers. Actors voices should not be such that would encourage audiences to assign gender.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Non-binary
  • ANTHIS
    Depiction of the non-binary plants is flexible, i.e. can be played with costumed actors, puppets, or voiced. Ideally, they are cast with genderqueer actors/puppeteers. Actors voices should not be such that would encourage audiences to assign gender.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Non-binary

Development History

Awards

Finalist
,
Carlo Annoni International Playwriting Prize
,
Premio Carlo Annoni
,
2023