←Recommendations of The Apothecary

An awesomely ambiguous piece! Each line thoughtfully serves to move the story and intrigue forward. A wonderfully dark piece that leaves room for lots of hope at the end. I will be thinking about this play long after writing this recommendation.

Dark and gothic, I see this as a worthy scene in Sleepy Hollow or His Dark Material. Daniel sets the scene swiftly and expertly, so we are drawn into this short play instantly. Strong characters make it believable, but the stage directions really set it off, especially the last at the end of the play, which makes me wonder just what will happen the next morning. Excellent!

This is a chilling and atmospheric piece clearly written by a playwright with complete trust in the audience. I was fully engaged from start to finish as I wove the strands together and determined the truth hidden between the lines. Every character is motivated - and if those motivations aren't clear at the beginning, they come into stark relief by the end. I found myself hungry for more stories from this village - and it only took me a few short pages to conjure the whole world of the play in my mind!

Daniel Prillaman comes through again with an atmospheric period piece that raises more questions than it answers - in the best way. Prillaman employs the unsaid beautifully, right from the opening stage directions that set us in a village "too small for a name", and hints at a pivotal point in the lives of his characters, on precipice of disaster or salvation. Impressively, he never tips over into the temptation of taking the audience by the hand, but rather allows us to wonder about what will be revealed when the sun finally rises.

A riveting short play. Compelling characters and an interesting premise. I also love the way Daniel Prillaman writes stage directions. He knows what he wants the audience to see, but he leaves it open enough to directors so they can make their mark on it. Well done!

Creepy, ethereal, and vivid in imagery, this haunting short piece will quickly draw you in. Fascinating characters, specifically the women, propel the mystery and dark aspects of the work. The climax is emotional and leaves much to the imagination. Perfect for a stormy night.

Great subtext here. You think Daniel is going in one direction, then he had me scratching my head. Daniel, you must be a feminist. Good job.

There’s a dark effervescence to THE APOTHECARY that lightly infects the heart then fills it with a malicious joy. Elements of melodrama (which I love) keep the stakes high, yet Prillaman grounds the proceedings with direness and cunning while deftly juggling a few weighty conflicts. Especially impressive are variations of pace and tone, like a short symphony of overt action and hidden intention. Ultimately, I found the women in the play brave in the face of adversity and ultimately hopeful. The titular apothecary especially is a great character and she made me smile, particularly at the end.

Daniel Prillaman's "The Apothecary" is a haunting work, eerie and darkly layered, almost operatic in scope, yet intimate and filled with a sense of dread and fear that's both off-putting and delicious.

The APOTHECARY by Daniel Prillaman is a deceptively chilling piece that takes us to another time and place. The beauty of this play resides in its subtle surprise and focused storytelling. Just when you think you have this figured out, these characters surprise us with the truth that lives in their own, individual hearts. Simple yet elegant. With such nuance Prillaman portrays the foibles of man. There’s a lot for actors to sink their teeth into here. Bravo.