←Recommendations of /ärt/

This short play is an absolute skewering of competitive art and self-important artistic "evaluators." It takes big ideas and wields them for maximum satirical power. My high school theatre students had a blast performing this piece and it was a huge hit with the audience. Wonderful comedic roles for female performers!

The opportunity to serve as a critic of anything (the word 'serve' here being ironic) tends to bring out the worst in people, and Steven G. Martin has expertly captured this in a delightful ten minute play. The character's sad motivations, emphasized by Mrs. Notting's line: "If we didn't have this competition, we would have nothing else," gives this play a twist of empathy, enriching the grandiose humor and hilarious visual images. I would love to see this staged and watch the audience's reactions to the increasingly out-of-control 'art critics!'

Adults take art far too seriously sometimes, and in this blisteringly funny ten minute play tackling pretentions amongst critics, art by literal children is on the line. Very fun and incisive, with a great ending.

Steven Martin skewers adult pretension and bias in hilarious fashion. What a fun way to teach some important lessons we should all learn. Highly recommended!

This was a hilarious play that somehow exaggerates while also smacks of being very real. Anyone who has ever worked in a school will recognize the characters Martin has created--and will revel in their comeuppance!

A witty cautionary tale about taking yourself far too seriously, especially when the stakes are so low. I am willing to bet that more than a few people who have read or seen this play will either nod sagely -- or squirm uncomfortably -- with the understanding of having been in this situation, either on the giving or the receiving end of it. It's a great reminder that maturity doesn't always bring wisdom, often with hilarious and meaningful results.

This was a delightful read. A silky veil of silliness over a poignant warning about taking one's self too seriously. Love it!

Steven Martin makes fools out of the alleged sophisticated grownups in the room in this delightful sendup of art, criticism and adulthood.

I enjoyed this play very much. What wonderful parts and dialogue for the main characters. This would be a terrific play for any 10-Minute festival. Good job!

This play made me smile. That is how this work of art touched me. Perhaps it may have frustrated another judge. But it made me smile. And that is okay. Somehow in life we have a desire to determine what is the best and what is...not the best. But art should, and does go beyond that. Once art leaves the artist's hands, it becomes the property of the world. And how the world reacts will be different with different experiences. But obviously, no boys allowed. :) See, I'm still smiling! Great work of art, Mr Martin!