←Recommendations of The Orchid

An awkward and seemingly insurmountable visit with a friend who has attempted suicide is beautifully portrayed in this moving 10 minute piece.

Emily Hageman does a great job with two characters and an elephant in the room. There are fine lessons here about the use of language here, how we can speak without thinking, the sentiment of orchids, and other victims of toxic masculinity. Empathy doesn't choose who it applies to, that's not how it works, and in that sense, Hageman has written a brave play. Strength needs to be redefined, Hageman knows this and shines a light on one of the first steps to doing just that: acknowledging pain. Too many parents, even, refuse to acknowledge their sons' pain.

A really solid little character piece that says a lot without ever getting on-the-nose about it. Emily has an enviable feel for writing these types of male characters.

It's easy to fall into the traps of being preachy or giving cookie cutter answers to complex questions that mark the human condition. The decision to end your life is a topic that is often romanticized to a point of fetishization or altogether silenced and never spoken about in polite company. Emily Hageman falls into neither of the traps that plague this subject matter in this moving play exploring masculinity, friendship, and all the doubts and hopes we have when confronted with a confusing and chaotic existence. Read and witness the story blossom like an orchid. It's well worth it.