←Recommendations of Saturday Mourning Cartoons

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Saturday Mourning Cartoons” by Iraisa Ann Reilly as a Semi-Finalist for the 2023 Premiere Play Festival. “Saturday Mourning Cartoons” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 40 Semi-Finalists out of 701 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the play’s vivid characters, beautiful and complex interpersonal relationships, and theatrical style of setting. Our congratulations and thanks to Iraisa.

With shades of "Ordinary People" and "Rabbit Hole," "Saturday Mourning Cartoons" is a sly, yet tender exploration of grief, loss, and family. I've never heard the loss of faith as articulately or poetically described as I have here. This play also begs the question: When we experience a tremendous loss, how do we trust ourselves (or those still with us) to pick up the pieces? Even at their ugliest moments, I loved spending time with Reilly's characters, and wanted to see them through to the end of their healing journey. A gorgeous play that I can't wait to see!

I loved the journey this play took us on as we met the family, learned about their struggles, and witnessed their vulnerabilities. The passage of time was handled deftly as we reached the climax of the play. The ending contained one of the most beautiful moments in the play.

Had the pleasure of watching this during BAPF45 and sobbed throughout the entire piece. It is a beautiful work about grief, familial pressures and parents, children, and when you are a caregiver. Love the use of the couches and the space to tell this cathartic story.

A beautiful, subtle, and vividly-drawn portrait of a family in mourning as the world slowly slides into the early stages of the pandemic. I really appreciated that the play captured nuanced elements of the first year of COVID without drowning in them. To see seasons pass and Jessica's world transform and evolve along with the needs of her abuela, mother, brother(s), and the world was to observe a masterclass in fine character-defining brushstrokes. I'd love to see the visual conventions of the piece realized onstage! The ending is cathartic, beautiful, and yet a satisfying "ellipsis" of sorts.

A fantastic family play!!! I NEED to see this produced with ALL THE COUCHES!!!

As a reader for #BAPF22, this piece was a gift to read. I felt so much promise in the story of Jessica *trying*. I thought this piece captured the overwhelming feeling of wanting to be able to fix everything for your family and it all be okay, and not being able to... that's the beautiful heart of it. A great flow of story and a strong style, as seen in the theatrical imagery used with the couch set. A cathartic read during a time of mourning the way things were and could have been.