BEST LAID PLAN(t)S

by Donna Hoke

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...

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: BEST LAID PLAN(t)S

    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.

    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: BEST LAID PLAN(t)S

    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.

    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: BEST LAID PLAN(t)S

    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!

    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

  • NINA
    Bennett's girlfriend
    Character Age
    Early twenties to early thirties
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • WENDY
    Bennett's sister
    Character Age
    fortyish, about six or seven years older than Bennett
    Character Gender Identity
    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.
  • 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.
  • BENNETT
    Character Age
    mid-thirties
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • JASON
    Bennett's best friend
    Character Age
    Mid 20s to mid 30s
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization First Look Buffalo, Year 2024
  • Type Reading, Organization Second Generation Theatre, Year 2022
  • Type Reading, , Year 2020

Awards

  • current
    Trustus
    Finalist
    2025
  • Carlo Annoni International Playwriting Prize
    Premio Carlo Annoni
    Finalist
    2023