←Recommendations of peerless (aka untitled high school macbeth, hsmb)

Instantly absorbing, ruthlessly smart, mordantly funny, brilliantly verbal, uncompromising in its refusal to moralize. A vibrant collision of Shakespeare and this morning's culture-war headlines.

I was lucky enough to see a recent production of this by 59E59 Theatre and it was awesome! First of all, it has so many twists and turns and the tie in to the inspiration is super clever. The way the dialogue is written has so much movement to it. I forget the character's name, but I especially like the first recipient of the scholarship, his character was incredible! I'd see it again for sure!

Whenever I discuss the value of rhythm and pacing to a script, I point to Peerless. In these characters’ voices, Jiehae Park’s poetic dialogue style morphs effortlessly between stream-of-consciousness panic; rollicking, bitingly funny back-and-forths; shy, halting awkwardness; and hypnotic psychological manipulation. The stage directions — always open-ended, frequently magical — present directors, actors, and designers alike with an invitation to explore the wild limits of their crafts. The First Floor Theatre production rose to this challenge fabulously.

This work is challenging-- in an exciting way. It's jarring and uncomfortable when the murderous attitudes with tragic consequences that are present in Shakespeare's work (which we're willingly entertained by and accepting of) are present in a world that feels recognizable and in closer proximity, somehow the response is different. I had fun processing why. Also, incredibly smart/fun/bizarre use of pace and language.

An ingenious updating/riff on its source inspiration, PEERLESS bursts with electric energy and moves at a frenetic and exciting pace. The deliciously rhythmic dialogue between its central protagonists and off-kilter, dark humor kept me invested throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed the C1 production of this I saw several years ago.

If you liked the movie Clueless or Mean Girls, you will love this dark comedy of high school behavior and riff on Macbeth. It intelligently examines ambition in respects to the admission process and pursuit of higher learning. Ridiculous, but never superficial, this play goes deep, dark deep when you least expect it, and it's so much fun. Highly recommended!

Jiehae Park’s “peerless” is a high-tension spring waiting to snap, a thrill ride from cover to cover. The plot pulls just enough from the Scottish Play to lay a simple foundation before bolting on its own vibrant, fresh path. The story travels at a breakneck pace, but it never becomes volatile or unbalanced—every moment is steered with a thoughtful, honed precision toward escalating the stakes, right down to the final confrontation. Fast, funny, and dangerously sharp.

This is my kind of play! Fast paced, witty, magical, a little bit absurd. It kept me on my toes, it freaked me out, it’s shocking in all the right ways, it made me laugh, and I didn’t want to put it down.

Perfect, and fast! A really fresh take on MB, while also a really original fresh voice. Totally new story which alludes to a classic.

This play is hilarious, horrifying, delightful, and the stuff of nightmares. I will say no more. Read it, see it, produce it!!"