←Recommendations of 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 and turn.

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!

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!

After their marriage is no longer a marriage, Britt and Joe want to try again. Britt can’t help but look back, while Joe wants to move forward. Hoke finely crafts seven progressive scenes which allow us to do both. It’s a strong lesson in negotiation, concession, playing the angles, and covering your bases. Neither of these people are perfect, but they’re struggling to be- for themselves, and for each other. And when we see that in our partners, even at their lowest moments, sometimes that’s enough. A smart, poignant two-hander that will make you laugh too.

The play riffs like a Springsteen song, exuberant yet charged by a driving melancholy; and it expands like an O'Keeffe painting, pressing outward against the audience's expectations. Joe and Britt are alive in ways that some of the greatest onstage couples are - George and Martha, Brick and Maggie - passionate and contradicting. Their love is at once daring and endangered, and their story is deeply affecting.

This is a really fascinating two-hander. It's full of Hoke's fantastic dialogue--and Britt and Joe jump right off the page in all of their wonderful qualities, and all of their horribleness. Their relationship is a strange and complicated one, but there is such beauty and such deep love between them. As always, Hoke excels at writing plays that are so beyond what you might initially expect--and you are so glad they went beyond your expectations when you finish reading. I'd so love to see her work on stage--and I have a feeling I will soon.

Donna Hoke's strong story and endearing characters pulled me right into the world of a couple trying to define their relationship so they can decide what they can live with/put up with in order to have that relationship. The honesty with which they assess themselves is hilarious and at times, heartbreaking. I loved how this play moves along into its tensions, complications and truths so smoothly and powerfully with such nuanced simplicity.

Flowers in the Desert is a beautiful journey of growth and redemption as Britt and Joe discover who they are, as a couple and as individuals, while trying to rebuild their relationship. Hoke has created real, flawed people in this moving and funny two hander.

One of the most admirable aspects of the craft of this play, is its expert ability to weave exposition into the scenes, without ever sacrificing the moment to moment life of the two characters. I love that! The characters are heartfelt and believable, and their mismatch both funny and painful. Writing a two character play is a great and noble feat which this sweet play considerable achieves! Congratulations, Donna Hoke!

This wonderful play reminds us that past relationships are forever interwoven into the fabric of who we are. Donna created characters and a world that are immediately identifiable. The dialogue flowed beautifully and I was along for every second of the ride. Great choice for theaters to produce!