←Recommendations of SOPHIA HAYDEN DESERVES BETTER

A fascinating tale of talent and ambition deferred by a society that's all too comfortable deciding who gets to be called "genius," and any display of emotion is used as justification for women's "unfitness" for traditionally male roles. In Walker's hands, it's no dry history lesson, but rather a beautifully constructed and deeply engaging piece of theatre. Despite its heavy themes, it's written with a light touch, making plenty of room for sly humor. A terrific work all around!

SOPHIA HAYDEN DESERVES BETTER by Stephanie Alison Walker was a finalist for NNPN's 2022 National Showcase of New Plays, and we are pleased to recommend it.

The themes of this engaging historical docudrama reverberate from 1891 until modern day. To experience Sophia go from so much hope and promise to the inevitable conclusion based on the circumstances is heartbreaking and Walker does a great job of telling that story. Using memory and jumps in time is an effective device for the play. And lots of great parts, especially for women!

Ooof. What a punch to the gut. I love the integration of memory and the quickness in which we move through time and space. The characters are distinct, and at times, totally heartbreaking. What society did to women for so long! And simply for emotions! What society still does to women. A brilliant history play that demands better for women.

Not only was this play delightful to read, but the story of Sophia Hayden proves to be absolutely fascinating! Walker handles the delicate balance of historical information with plot beautifully, and also conveys the challenges faced by women during the era...especially within the confines of a sanitorium. A wonderful ensemble piece to share a story lost to history!

You gotta love an entertaining play that shares a little-known historical nugget and brings it fully to life. Much more than a play about one woman in a certain time, this play paints a rather devastating portrait of what it must have been to be any woman during that time. Engaging and powerful.

A brutal and beautiful play that told with so much heart and humor that you will find yourself captivated, enraged, and activated. These roles are actor's dreams. Every actor in this piece has a standout moment all while in total service to the story. What starts out as historical drama reveals itself to be a cautionary tale about the destruction and damage done by chronic invalidation. Sophia Hayden may deserve better, but I honestly can't picture it getting any better than this.

Though Sophia’s story forms the heart of the play, the struggles and dreams of many other women are layered into the narrative, creating a feminist theatrical epic about the extraordinariness of ordinary women. This rich, expansive historical drama offers exciting production possibilities, from architecture-inspired design to diverse ensemble casting. It’s enlightening and lively, tragic but full of humor.

This brand new play travels into history with smart, smart humor and tons of heart to shed a light on one remarkable woman and her sad fate. But it's a story which is constructed in such a way that it not only honors Sophia Hayden and her work, it gives us a new perspective on women in America, an artist's struggles and the role we all play in a society that all too often rewards the expected and fears the extraordinary.

I was so lucky to get to see an early online presentation of this new work. A fascinating (and clearly unfairly overlooked) historical figure, a riveting time in American history, and big questions about autonomy and integrity and feminism all come together beautifully in Stephanie Alison Walker's smart, sad, and surprisingly funny play.