Recommendations of FRIENDS WITH GUNS

  • Ross Tedford Kendall: FRIENDS WITH GUNS

    In the playwright's note, Walker writes that she is "tired of the outrage." This play remarkably reflects that point of view. It's easy to write an anti or pro-gun screed that masquerades as a play. This play isn't that. It provides no easy answers. No comfort. No manufactured outrage. What it does provide is real characters. With their points of view. And their flaws that go deeper than the surface issue. Are guns the problem? Walker doesn't claim to have that answer in her work. Instead, she asks questions, and asks us to ask questions. What a challenging work!

    In the playwright's note, Walker writes that she is "tired of the outrage." This play remarkably reflects that point of view. It's easy to write an anti or pro-gun screed that masquerades as a play. This play isn't that. It provides no easy answers. No comfort. No manufactured outrage. What it does provide is real characters. With their points of view. And their flaws that go deeper than the surface issue. Are guns the problem? Walker doesn't claim to have that answer in her work. Instead, she asks questions, and asks us to ask questions. What a challenging work!

  • Emma Goldman-Sherman: FRIENDS WITH GUNS

    Great skill. Friends with Guns is so illuminating. The discomfort that unfolds is so masterfully crafted. A play I'd love to see produced. I am in awe. It is the honesty that does it for me. A rich and authentic experience.

    Great skill. Friends with Guns is so illuminating. The discomfort that unfolds is so masterfully crafted. A play I'd love to see produced. I am in awe. It is the honesty that does it for me. A rich and authentic experience.

  • Nick Perry: FRIENDS WITH GUNS

    I really loved this script and concept. The journey that each character goes on is fantastic and the climax had me right on the edge of my seat. Highly recommend.

    I really loved this script and concept. The journey that each character goes on is fantastic and the climax had me right on the edge of my seat. Highly recommend.

  • Ben F. Locke: FRIENDS WITH GUNS

    Such a great and topical play! Love the ways that violence and weapons are portrayed and explored. There are definitely arguments on both sides and I enjoyed the journey, especially in today's society. People scare me way more than any weapon, especially people like Josh.

    Such a great and topical play! Love the ways that violence and weapons are portrayed and explored. There are definitely arguments on both sides and I enjoyed the journey, especially in today's society. People scare me way more than any weapon, especially people like Josh.

  • Kate Busselle: FRIENDS WITH GUNS

    Thoroughly enjoyed this work. Challenges the audience/reader along with finding ways to make you laugh in the discomfort of conflict. A great scene study piece for acting students!

    Thoroughly enjoyed this work. Challenges the audience/reader along with finding ways to make you laugh in the discomfort of conflict. A great scene study piece for acting students!

  • Cheryl Bear: FRIENDS WITH GUNS

    A spectacular explosion of everything you think you know about one of the most contentious issues in our country that couldn't be more brilliantly handled! Absolutely fantastic.

    A spectacular explosion of everything you think you know about one of the most contentious issues in our country that couldn't be more brilliantly handled! Absolutely fantastic.

  • Eric Rudnick: FRIENDS WITH GUNS

    This play is loaded with everything that makes for great theatre. Each of the four characters comes fully to life with attitudes and opinions, yet heavily burdened by things they thought they knew about themselves and the world at large. One of this piece's great strengths is that it gives no reassurances to anyone, no matter the stand on the issues beforehand. Make time for one of those great post-show discussions after seeing this play - you'll have plenty to talk about.

    This play is loaded with everything that makes for great theatre. Each of the four characters comes fully to life with attitudes and opinions, yet heavily burdened by things they thought they knew about themselves and the world at large. One of this piece's great strengths is that it gives no reassurances to anyone, no matter the stand on the issues beforehand. Make time for one of those great post-show discussions after seeing this play - you'll have plenty to talk about.

  • Jerry Polner: FRIENDS WITH GUNS

    Stephanie Alison Walker pushes all the buttons in our head that make us recoil when we meet people who disagree with us about firearms in America. This brilliant play hits so hard because it’s not about the policy. It’s about the people. Read it!

    Stephanie Alison Walker pushes all the buttons in our head that make us recoil when we meet people who disagree with us about firearms in America. This brilliant play hits so hard because it’s not about the policy. It’s about the people. Read it!

  • Michael Shutt: FRIENDS WITH GUNS

    Friends With Guns achieves the near impossible.It's a play about a huge, timely, and contentious issue that makes you forget you're watching an Issue Play. Walker's strength lies in telling her story in the most microcosmic and human way possible. She focuses on her characters, not the issue. She gives us four rich, complicated, and completely relatable characters, that at first you think you know, but who eventually reveal themselves to be not so easily pegged. The only thing more surprising than the ending was the fact that I walked away from this questioning my own beliefs.

    Friends With Guns achieves the near impossible.It's a play about a huge, timely, and contentious issue that makes you forget you're watching an Issue Play. Walker's strength lies in telling her story in the most microcosmic and human way possible. She focuses on her characters, not the issue. She gives us four rich, complicated, and completely relatable characters, that at first you think you know, but who eventually reveal themselves to be not so easily pegged. The only thing more surprising than the ending was the fact that I walked away from this questioning my own beliefs.

  • Kyle J. McCloskey: FRIENDS WITH GUNS

    An expertly crafted exploration into a complicated issue. Never felt overdramatic, but rather this plays leans into the truth on both sides of the debate regarding gun violence, the right to protect one’s self, and other issues that I won’t list out of potential SPOILERS. What an ending. One of the best endings to a play I’ve read in a while. A perfect play for the moment we are in now, where we constantly must engage with the question: What is the Right to Life?

    Produce this play!!!

    An expertly crafted exploration into a complicated issue. Never felt overdramatic, but rather this plays leans into the truth on both sides of the debate regarding gun violence, the right to protect one’s self, and other issues that I won’t list out of potential SPOILERS. What an ending. One of the best endings to a play I’ve read in a while. A perfect play for the moment we are in now, where we constantly must engage with the question: What is the Right to Life?

    Produce this play!!!