←Recommendations of 153

We are all made up of our past, our present, and our future. Martin eloquently explores the “three ages of man” with depth and insight as different incarnations of the same man converse, argue, and weight the choices and mistakes he has made. Against the backdrop of a journey through a barren landscape, 153 is both unencumbered and universal in its message, even as Martin finds telling details to delineate the specifics of this particular life. A recent online production by Winding Road Theatre Ensemble incorporated stark visuals and memorable music to underscore Martin’s thought-provoking vision.

If you could speak to your younger self, what advice would you share? What grudges would you hold? What choices would you forgive? Martin’s play unfolds unexpectedly, revealing its poetic premise with elegance and emotion. Beautifully magical but grounded in a reality to which we can all relate, 153 explores the challenges we face, the choices we make, and the changes we seek in our journey to accept and embrace who we are. Read and produce this play! 153 might easily become your audiences’ favorite number.

What a beautiful, well-written prose. "153" eloquently deals with grief and regret, and ultimately acceptance, in such a moving way.

As well written as Martin's synopsis of this play is I encourage you to go into this play "blind". Experiencing what this play is truly about the way an audience would is a true treat.

To deal with such heavy themes and concepts in a 10 minute is a gift, one Martin no doubt has. I teared up a little reading this. It is at once universal and specific, and above all a lovely play.

Oh my gosh, this play is beautiful. Three manifestations of one man (at ages 18, 45, and 90) talk, argue, and learn to accept each other. It's such a beautiful allegory for our journey through life, and so powerfully told in only ten pages! I'm going to be thinking about this one for a while.

We go through many stages of life and the awareness of it, but Steven G. Martin has chosen three that are moments that stand out because at each of these three stages, we foolishly think we have reached the peak of knowledge and wisdom. But if it were so, then we haven't learned a thing, and in this play we see how much we have yet to learn. The metaphor of packing and preparing for journey ahead is a subtle reminder that not everything we cherish needs to be taken along. Thank you, Steven.

Martin has done it again, elicited strong emotions of regret, grief, and forgiveness in the short play, "153." This would be an interesting play to stage with the three ages of the same character.

Growing up and growing older - Martin gives us meaningful examples of this. What we’re left with is the wonder of getting to age. Life comes at you in stages and if we’re lucky we’re here for it - all of it. And we like ourselves. All our selves.

I loved the concept of Martin's play as well as its execution. A chance to look back at your mistakes (and baggage one carries around) and look ahead with some hope. I also get the title, but will let readers figure it out...well done and should be produced!

Steven G. Martin creates a meaningful, loving ode to self-forgiveness in his '153', where the version of a character at 45 lectures his own self at 18 as though he now has all the answers, only to be told by his own self at 90 that he hasn't even begun to learn yet. An ode to self-love and care, to accepting that mistakes make us who we are this world, and to realizing that we have never quite finished learning. Lovely and heartrending. 90 hugging 18 and forgiving 45 is a theatrical moment of beauty.