←Recommendations of Here's Hoping

"Here's Hoping" by Philip Middleton Williams is a powerful play that packs intense emotions in sixteen short pages. Although (thankfully) medical science has made advances since this play was written, the story of the human condition -- the fears and need for human connection -- are just as relevant today.

PHILIP MIDDLETON WILLIAMS is one of the best playwrights I have come to know. “Here’s Hoping” brings to light what some know, others not so much: The pain and suffering of the person with the disease and those who are their parents, lovers, friends, and others who come in contact with them. The saddest thing, besides the horror of getting AIDS, I would think, is the belief by some that AIDS is a punishment from GOD. I highly recommend this play.

Though written in 1994, Williams' play still packs a punch. Thankfully, there are now treatments for HIV/AIDS that prolong life significantly. The play also reminds us of our current pandemic and the need to be united and smart about the ways to handle the virus and mitigate its damage. The dialogue is realistic and haunting - well done, sir!

It's easy to forget how serious the AIDS crisis was/still is. This is a powerful piece that shows how hard it is to accept when things are out of your control. Very informative and educational. Williams knows how to take a hard topic and inform in a very real and touching manner.

"Perhaps if you heard all our stories you might…understand as well."

I love this statement because it could summarize the entity of theatre, and just as any play asks of its audience, it is used here as an appeal for an open-minded approach to the subject. This is a delicate piece with some difficult moments, but it is informative, educational, and reassuring. An emboldening challenge to continue living and loving one another by creating a dialogue about something we are uncomfortable with/fear.