←Recommendations of The RAKEoning

A quick and witty piece about watching a breakdown from afar. Sometimes, others get caught in the fall-out of a personal collapse without reason or explanation... And all you can do is pour yourself a drink, and enjoy the ride.

This piece had me from the opening stage direction. That promise of humor is fulfilled throughout as Kurt and Naomi are anesthetized to Ashleigh's demented mid-life crisis.

Best ending stage direction ever. Ashleigh (who I have decided is the same Ashleigh from “Ashleigh Says Out Loud the Thing She Meant to Say in Her Head”) is up to bizarre shenanigans in her neighborhood, and her neighbors take it all in stride. My favorite thing about this two-minute play is that no explanations are given to the audience or sought by the characters. Five stars. Read this play, but hide your rake- Ashleigh’s coming.

DANIEL PRILLAMAN’s short play puts a spin on addictive behavior in a very witty way. “The RAKEoning” is a fun look at the trials and tribulations of being neighbors, enjoying alcohol and drugs, and dealing with midlife crises. You will definitely enjoy this piece!

A typically delightful Prillaman slice of life that gives its audiences enough credit that it doesn't feel the need to explain... anything. An unhinged neighbor roaming backyards burning rakes is a form of civil disobedience that has a root worth exploring, but Prillaman's smart enough to know that the reward is in the wondering. A killer final line, too, followed up by a delightful final stage direction. Great stuff.

A short funny play. Daniel Prillaman wastes no time diving straight in and going for the laughs. I could see this being a hit at all the 10 minute play festivals. Well done!

A short play packs a lot of tension into a brief span of time! Suburbanites experiencing existential crisis has been explored by plenty of different writers, but there is something so dark and fresh about Prillaman's perspective on Ashleigh's mental bRAKE down (sorry I couldn't resist). Wonderful subtext and the looming menace of an unhinged housewife makes for an exciting window into life in the 'burbs.

A tidy play with tidy characters whose tidy lives may soon shatter, as hinted at by the chaos instilled in Prillaman's fine end stage direction. Something's going to happen ...

The plight of suburban ennui is brought to vivid yet muted life, like a portrait of autumn in dark pastels, in this theatrical confluence of Edward Hopper, Norman Rockwell, and Better Homes and Gardens.

There’s a mystery. It’s disconcerting. Even menacing.

Or is it?

Maybe it will be later but for now, the Solises have other more urgent priorities.

Or do they?

A truly delightful short play that surprises and provides a perfect touch of insight into the human condition.