←Recommendations of #Blessed

A deft commentary on social media and parenthood--only this time it's the mother that's mugging for the camera -- to her teenage daughter's chagrin. What's more, the mom is a pastor, trying hard to project the perfect image of her and her family. I heard this play read at the 41st Annual William Inge Festival. Well done, Lainie.

Phenomenal. Vansant expertly leads us into one story (incredibly perceptive and dead-on work), reveals another, and that's when you realize she's dropped three huge societal questions in your lap. This also has the most effective use of projection I've seen yet. Good luck with your conversation with the folks you came with on the way out of the theater.

So painful. So real.

Lainie Vansant shines a much needed glaring light on the artificial world of faith, social media, and family and the fall out once reality taps them back on the shoulder. This mother and daughter interaction will ring honest to many who know these characters. I hope audiences start real dialogues after seeing this thought-proving short play.

Loved this play. Creative, clever, and moving, while addressing questions of faith, social media, and how these intersect in the lives of a mother and daughter. I could recognize these characters, and I appreciate how Lainie treated them with compassion and nuance. Great play!

In #BLESSED by Lainie Vansant, we're treated to a powerfully heartfelt play that combines humor and faith in new perspectives. The impact of social media frames the relationship between mother and daughter, a point of contention that evolves into the spark of newfound honesty and change. I saw a wonderful reading of this play at the William Inge Theatre Festival and the responses were incredible.

I feel rather #Blessed for getting the chance to see this play read at the William Inge Theatre Festival. Such a fun and heartfelt piece about how we want our lives to appear to others. Really makes you want to take a step back and examine how we all portray our lives online.

I cannot recommend this play enough after seeing it at the 2024 William Inge Festival. An honest and unflinching look at American evangelical "megachurch" Christianity that is more about how we deal with and adjust to small, personal family situations, all under the guise of what it really means to be #Blessed! This is an amazing piece for two female identifying actors of certain ages to really showcase.

I was punched in the gut toward the end there. Loved the layers of recognizing privilege and how difficult it is to share, even with the best intentions. I really liked Beth as a character, too. Sweet, fun, and most importantly, trying.

This story went in a direction I wasn’t expecting, which is what gives it its power and charm. As Kaylee points out to her mom the faux perfection of her social media presence, it seems she has an ulterior motive. Their family may not be the ideal presented online, but the relationship between mother and daughter ultimately leaves us hopeful. Lots of fun to be had creating the visuals of the online posts. I would love to see this brought to life.

In #Blessed, Lainie Vansant deftly tackles sensitive topics without a heavy hand. Beth and her daughter, Kaylee, bump up against each other and the issues of social media, teen pregnancy, social status, and self-promotion. Beth might not impress Kaylee with her tech savvy, but in the end, perhaps she redeems herself. Nicely done.