←Recommendations of Ashes To Ashes

Ashes to Ashes is such a compelling play for its flawed characters in the midst of a life challenge, one of those hinge moments that will change them both - I love work like this where the exposition becomes the ammunition that moves the relationship forward. And the ending gives us a chance to experience (through unsentimentally clear language) the possibilities for these characters, their healings and ours.

A tense and funny family drama where siblings argue about how to fulfill their mother’s final wish. The well-drawn hurt and confusion behind the argument goes deep. Well done.

A beautiful play that draws you in from the top moment. Emily’s characters are so well developed and likable that you really want to know why they are the way they are. One of the great charms of this piece is watching as she peels away the layers to reveal their depth and pain. An emotionally compelling piece that leaves you feeling how imperfect we all are but how much we need each other -- and how beautiful the complexities can be. A great two-hander that actors will LOVE to play and audiences will love to watch.

Sibling rivalry (well, half-siblings) about their mother’s last wishes propel this play into an exploration of parental responsibilities and the psychological ramifications of having imperfect parents. The brothers have a very yin-yang vibe which fuels the humorous dialogue, despite some heavy subject matter, and the final solution to their problem is hysterically perfect as I picture it in my head. Great fun!

A hilarious tsunami of truth about siblings, the long term affects of unskilled parenting on adult children, and scattering said parent’s ashes.

McClain introduces us to these brothers through their temperaments before stealthily laying their lives and vulnerabilities bare. It's "why are you still upset" vs "why aren't you furious?" and we simultaneously empathize with each position while being challenged by the other. The ebb and flow of emotions is a beautiful ride.

If you've been in this situation, this will hit you hard in the heart and the funny bone! If you haven't, you'll know what to expect!

EMILY MCCLAIN’s play tells of the questions we may still have of our parents, but cannot ask them because they have died. Our parents can, and do, leave a strong emotional impact on our lives for better or worst. Sometimes their secrets and actions can haunt us. Half-brothers Bryan and Charlie have their emotional scars, and they also have a last-wish of their mother to fulfill. “Ashes to Ashes” gives the brothers a chance to ‘let go and move-on’. The dialogue is well-written. This is a wonderful play.

The adage "you can't pick your family" isn't really true anymore, what with extended families and step-brothers showing up. In this both hilarious and touching moment, Emily McClain brings together these two disparate brothers with one simple job ahead of them - what to do with Mom's ashes - and we get to see just how different they are... and how much they share.

This is a dark comedy with heavy emphasis on the comedy. The interplay between Byron and Charlie, two polar opposites as brothers, is grounded in reality yet incredibly funny. I also like that Emily McClain doesn't let up on the jokes in the play's final moments. This would be a great addition a short-play festival.

Spot on characters and truly delicious black humor give Emily McClain's ASHES TO ASHES a wonderful sense of lightness that illuminates, and gives strength to, the underlying sadness of these two brother's lives and the task they must undertake. Beautifully written, with two great roles for actors. I'd love to see this staged.

A darkly humorous piece about family and unfinished business. I loved the dialogue between the brothers and their eventual solution to their problem! Great script!