←Recommendations of A THANK-YOU NOTE TO MATTHEW WEAVER

This meta-delight is very specific in cast and story, but also universal enough for any playwright who ever had a shred of doubt in themselves to enjoy. We all tell stories in different ways, with different purposes, for different reasons and people… This play is a wonderful love letter to whatever inspires you as a writer. I hope someday these two get to be in it on stage. I volunteer to be Voice #3.

A Vocal Few: Get a room, why don’t you?

Narrator: They did not get a room.

AVF: They surrender! We win!

Narrator: Instead, Steve and Mathew got two rooms.

AVF: Two rooms? We’ve separated them! Success!!!

Narrator: Two theaters, in fact.

AVF: What?!? Why?!? Still not sexy…

Narrator: Theaters connected by their minds and souls, where they could celebrate and inspire one another as playwrights and friends.

AVF: Boring! Pretentious! I hate this form of direct address.

Narrator: It was a perfect birthday gift-

AVF: SCHMALTZ!!!

Narrator: Worthy of Scott Sickles’s 1000th Recommendation.

AVF: Who?

FIN

This play captures the way a vocal group can easily overwhelm your own creative vision, influencing us in ways we don't want. But the play points out the remedy for those unhelpful-yet-impossible-to-ignore-completely voices: the support of a fellow artist. Martin's (very accurate) portrayal of Matthew Weaver reminds us of the power of an understanding voice and the importance of surrounding yourself with artists who care about you as a fellow creative. It's a love letter to the playwriting community. May we find it for ourselves and may we be it for others. Read this beautiful and uplifting play!

Wonderfully uplifting play about finding your people and finding yourself in play and art.

Quite possibly the greatest crossover event of all time - or maybe that's just one playwright's humble opinion. I love this play - it's a powerfully illustrative piece that speaks to every writer who has wrestled with self doubt and every person whose creative spark has been fanned into a flame by the bonds of friendship. I am so glad that this play and so many other plays were written. Thank you, Steve Martin and thank you, Matthew Weaver. I am eternally inspired and moved by you both.

This is a strong, succinct, wonderful reminder of what it means to make art in the world, a story that sheds light on the deeply human struggle between meeting expectations and finding our true selves. A triumph!

From the moment I started reading I found it earie how I recognised the voices. This piece perfectly emulates all of those feelings a writer goes through and creates a lovely friendship between Steve and Matthew. All of the characters are very believable and I can almost picture Steve in a very claustrophobic environment when its just with the voices and then when Matthew opens the door with his support it allows his imagination to expand and his confidence to grow (of course that’s just me!). A great piece to read.

The self doubt that can rob the world of creativity and artistry is overpowered by the support of friends marvelously! Lovely!

Prolific Steven Martin has written a wonderfully creative short play. How does one overcome self-doubt and the inner voices that surely plague every writer? With talent, persistence, and – importantly – the support of a friend, a kindred spirit that serves as muse and moral support. Who can’t identify with the inner voices? Just a few gems… “You’re going to embarrass yourself.” “No one will ever produce this.” And, my favorite, “You grew up on a hog farm in West Central Indiana.” Read this play!

The audience wll be looking up wondering when the paper trail will end. A short play about friendship and the selfless way playwrights are there for each other.