←Recommendations of Sugar

Taut and tense -- in the best possible ways. There's an eerie feeling to the early going that is more than paid for by the turn the story takes. Excellent writing, a deep well of feeling masked by what sounds like the most mundane conversation. Just great.

Immaculately constructed, O'Grady seamlessly transforms a mundane scenario into a moment of gorgeous, humanity-affirming connection. The dialogue is spare and realistic, with just enough quiet subtext to clue the audience in that something is not quite typical about this interaction between neighbors. The reversal will take your breath away and make you believe in the kindness of strangers. Gorgeous, important, empowering, and impressively efficient, this short is a moving, affecting powerhouse!

What starts out as an…overly friendly neighbor(?) encounter slowly and gradually becomes something altogether different. Thank God for Jaden’s persistence. Without spoiling anything, the actual subject at hand is incredibly complex and difficult to navigate, no matter your role. So again, thank God for Jaden’s persistence. Excellent short play.

If only there were more Jadens in the world and less of Lilia's boyfriend. This is powerful and hopeful and perhaps will give audiences the tools and ideas to look out for one another like Jaden did for Lilia.

Not a beat is wasted in this elegantly written thriller of a 10-minute play. I was fortunate to attend a performance and SUGAR held the audience spellbound while it drew us a map to a necessary and real escape route. Wonderful, useful work! Deserving of many productions.

Beautiful. Builds beautifully. It's hard to know where the piece is going until you're there and in tears of anger and joy. Lovely work.

I was fortunate enough to see Sugar performed live over a year ago, and still find myself affected by its simplicity and perfection. Two strong roles for women, check. Skillfully crafted plot, check. Ultimate high stakes and urgency? Double check. It gave me fear and brought me hope.

Strong dialogue, packs a punch (if I can use that word?). A play that works in ten minutes--quite an achievement.

A play that is mostly 2 women talking on both sides of a door establishes intrigue - both Jaden and Lilia know much more than the audience until the reveal and it's fascinating trying to figure out what's going. The symbolism that harkens back to a neighbor borrowing a cup of sugar and in so doing begins a communal bond - is very powerful in this desperate context. SUGAR by Jennifer O'Grady is an important play and I feel fortunate to have read it.

Wow! I did not expect that at all. An important play that is well told and convincing. We need more like this to make people aware.