←Recommendations of THE LAZARUS CLUB

The Lazarus Club gathers the recently returned in a surreal corner of the world—somewhere between Tim Hortons and limbo. The play floats through time and space, toggling between quiet confessions and collective myth-making. A flexible, fluid ensemble piece that centers trust, belief, and the patchwork of meaning we cling to when the miracle is over and the paperwork begins.

A group of people with nothing in common other than the fact that they all died, and then they all came back to life, start meeting as a (not support! don't say support!) group. I loved the unique voices of each of them and watching their relationships develop as they slowly, almost seemingly against their will sometimes, became friends. I especially loved their discussions of what makes a life worth living. What a lovely play!

Near death experience, atheism, belief - these are heady themes for a play. Hoke gives them all such a human connection that what could be a philosophical treatise is instead a heart-filled, funny (even irreverent) exploration on our journey trying to figure out what it is to be human. Just follow, wide-eyed, and let the characters lead you on the journey that is a life.

An original, warmly human, funny, and atmospheric piece that explores huge existential questions in an interesting manner. Hoke has assembled an eclectic, rich ensemble that is populated by real and fully developed humans who are also representative of larger ideas and questions in a fascinating way. Most potent to me was the examination of whether or not it is "enough" for life to be made up of compelling experiences, or if one needs other humans to truly be fulfilled. It also has unique audio/visual and design potential and a clever structure; I'm excited to follow its development trajectory...

Asking big questions in a warm, relatable, smart way, Hoke's exploration of the almost-afterlife is a keenly theatrical, deeply-felt ensemble piece. Like 'Bus Stop' -- with donuts. Another gem - with a strong lead role for a woman - from a master writer. Check it out!

A group of very different people come together seeking to understand their near-death experiences, but the connections they forge ultimately demonstrate that what you do with your here-and-now is more important than what might be coming “after”. I enjoyed this play! Hoke’s dialogue is so sharp. Her characters have such clear voices and points of view, but they never become annoying archetypes. This is a topic that could easily get bogged down in philosophy, but it avoids those traps without sacrificing the big ideas. It’s a play that deserves attention.

A true Hoke play, this one kept me guessing, laughing and turning the pages. The characters have depth, the dialogue is quick, realistic and funny and, just like HEARTS OF STONE, she spins the supernatural perfectly for the stage. I was delighted, intrigued, surprised and made to wonder. Like most of Donna’s plays, this one ticks all my boxes!