←Recommendations of Cookie Cutter Christmas

While the holidays are a happy time with cookies, presents, and french toast shaped like Christmas trees, it’s also a yearly reminder of who we used to share them with. In Cookie Cutter Christmas, Partain beautifully captures all the emotions of loss and moving forward.

This play is beautifully tragic. The emotional depth of it is evident in the complex behaviors and conversations the characters have, and it makes them seem like real people. The progression of time in the play is brilliant, and the character relationships are fascinating.

Reading this play gutted me. Lindsay Partain expertly dramatizes grief and holding on, the ghosts that haunt us and the ties that keep us from moving forward. So affecting and perfect a play. I have personal experience with a family member dying suddenly and unexpectedly, and Partain brilliantly and effectively captures all the emotions around that loss. A powerful ten minutes that will haunt you too, for much longer.

There is no time limit for grief. In a span of 18 years, we watch a young boy grow up but still hold on to this mother's ghost who visits every Christmas Eve. It may be comforting at first but as he matures, he's in limbo wanting to move on but paralyzed. Partain's play packs a wallop in a scant ten minutes. Grief is explored in a tender and poignant way.

An interesting and enjoyable read. Very heartfelt. In-depth characterization. Interesting use of the mother's memory and repeating the same lines to different effect. Highly recommended.