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

by Donna Hoke

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 date 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...

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

    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...

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

    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!

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

    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!

    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!

View all 14 recommendations

Character Information

  • Britt
    Character Age
    39
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Joe
    Character Age
    41
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

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

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization On and Off, Year 2024
  • Type Professional, Organization Naatak, Year 2020
  • Type Community Theater, Organization Cotuit Center for the Arts, Year 2019
  • Type Community Theater, Organization The Anglian Players, UK, Year 2019
  • Type High School, Organization Grayslake High School, Year 2018
  • Type Community Theater, Organization Midnight Sun, Year 2017
  • Type Professional, Organization And Toto Too, Year 2017
  • Type Community Theater, Organization Elite Theatre, Year 2015
  • Type Community Theater, Organization Western Door Playhouse, Year 2015
  • Type Professional, Organization Actors Repertory Theatre Luxembourg, Year 2015
  • Type Community Theater, Organization Open Eye, Year 2014
  • Type Community Theater, Organization Readers Theater of Ithaca, Year 2014
  • Type Professional, Organization Open Eye Theater, Year 2014

Awards

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