←Recommendations of Madame Medusa Would Prefer a Chardonnay

A sublime exploration of the loneliness of a cursed gorgon. Madame Medusa's wry voice is compelling and seductive as she leads us through her history and to the big decision she is about to make.

If I can indulge in a little cross-medium marketing speak: if you liked Madeline Miller's novel CIRCE, you will love this Nora Louise Syran solo piece. Here Medusa is reimagined with a dry, weary wit and rich inner life -- one shaped by a too-long history of curses, potential assassins, fraught reproductive choices, unfulfilled dreams & wishes, and more. A lovely meditation on stagnation and the hope of change.

As a Chardonnay person myself I was drawn to this title instantly and I absolutely loved it! Madame Medusa is a character I'd love to play simply because she is so fabulous! By the end of the piece you feel for this poor woman simply trying to relax and enjoy a lovely glass of wine! Nora has expertly flipped the expectation to cheer the hero and boo the villain on its head in this piece. It would make a stunning piece for an actress to add to her performances! Its an empowering and brilliantly constructed piece. Bravo!

I love works that riff on mythology, and here, we get a perspective that we haven't seen much before -- Medusa's. I found Nora Louise Syran's portrayal of the cursed gorgon to be very moving. How tiresome would it get having all these heroes out to get you? So tiring that you'd let it happen? I'm convinced! This is a really fascinating monologue and would be great for an actress who wants to show range. Loved it!

A Gorgon’s lament. Bittersweet revelation that not all monsters are monstrous. A delightful monologue that any actress would kill to perform!

This is an incredibly atmospheric solo piece about a character from mythology that we all think we know - and based on the contents of this monologue, might even know better than we think! As we enter year three of the pandemic, I can't help but relate to poor Medusa, who is waiting for the solution to a problem that never arrives. I loved all of the details about distilling wine in the cave, and her vivid, hopeful, and ultimately fruitless daydreams. Gorgeous language mixes with compelling, complicated desires to create alchemy - a fantastic monologue for any actress!

The thoughts of the Gorgon, the tortured musings of a wronged woman (as so many were in those bestial tales of random violence). Almost makes you wish you could wield the sword yourself and do her the kindness of releasing her. A powerful mono, perfect for auditions or strong-woman themed evenings.

Just like Tina Turner, Madame Medusa don't need another hero, well unless he brings a bottle of Chardonnay. This would be a great audition piece for an actress, such is the detail and emotion Nora puts into this piece. I would certainly like to see it performed!