←Recommendations of A HUMBLE PATH [A MONOLOGUE]

Steve Martin has given us a terrifying, dark psychological thriller. As the story drew me in, I was thinking, “Don’t do it. Don’t do it!” And that thought sounded with even greater urgency when the ending took an expected turn. A wonderfully compelling monologue.

STEVEN G. MARTIN has written a superb play of the deep, dark, hidden emotions we may have from a traumatic past event. I was moved by the gripping fear of the person to whom a sheepish man speaks and the inner turmoil of the person speaking. “A Humble Path” is usually seen in a positive light. I am not sure it will ever have the same meaning after reading this powerful short play. Well done!

A dark and surprising observation of human nature, taken to an extreme. Violent thoughts becoming reality are also becoming commonplace, which makes this piece all the more tragic. A psychological thrill ride in just a few pages.

I was shocked, to say the least, at where this went. Not that where I thought it was going was any more palatable. This was one of the most heart-breaking examples of a no-win scenario I've ever read. Abe's rationale for his actions was both dark and inevitable. A wonderfully realized character study. Powerful stuff.

What I love about Steven G. Martin’s plays is their heart. There’s always a delicate yet profound sense of love and connection versus loneliness and disconnection. And that’s still true here... even though the heart is a dark, vast abyss. A Humble Path is a complex examination of evil borne from mismanaged expectation and rage, an inablity to find a middle ground between extemes, of overcorrection and repression. Every word of Abe’s history, every breath he issues to utter it, is of the utmost urgency. An extraordinary monologue, full of loneliness, rage and loss.

A fascinating exploration for an actor, a rare piece that truly digs into the darker side of human nature. Outstanding!

It's wonderful to discover new facets of a writer whose work you admire, and this monologue explores a rich and challenging territory, with a character both compelling and repulsive. Martin's craft is so finely-tuned in this dynamic piece.

This is an unexpectedly dark and riveting monologue! I was vaguely horrified and disgusted through the set up, and couldn't look away. And then, at the end, I smiled with cold satisfaction. I really enjoyed this!

I cheered the ending of A Humble Path and then felt bad that there are people like this in the world, and yet Martin presents such a fascinating and conflicted character on stage that you are drawn into their madness and their world and feel sick for watching but cannot turn away. Theater offers us the chance to step out on limbs and test their stability and this is a play where I feel Martin has done just that and like all of his work, that limb holds up and supports this dramatic turn for this playwright I so admire.

Steven has created a darkly compelling look into the heart of a troubled soul. At first glance, it seems we know where this play will lead us, but as the character takes us on his own harrowing, internal journey we are drawn in and can even — dare I say — relate. A tremendous piece that will give an actor the opportunity to connect with an audience on a deep level. Also, has one of my favorite descriptions of a person's heart I've ever come across. But I'll leave that as a surprise. Would love to see this play live!