←Recommendations of After Another (Full Length)

AFTER ANOTHER is brilliantly constructed in nine scenes, each a complete and connected two-hander utilizing a character from the preceding scene. But there’s much more to marvel at than just the clever structure. The depth of character and the various relationships, each at a critical turning point, leave you hanging on every word. This is Paul Donnelly at his finest.

Donnelly does an exquisite job of giving us the nuances, the foibles, and the graces of relationships. He brings more to the front than LaRonde - he brings love and acceptance and and a sometimes bitter-sweetness that will stay with you. It’s a thoughtful, honest and ultimately charmed look at this puzzle we call “love.” Theatrical, playful, and honest, it’s a treat for the actors and audiences.

Rather than a mere slice-of-life drama, Paul Donnelly serves up a full pie with After Another. I'm not familiar with La Ronde, but if Donnelly hasn't invented this relay race approach where one character from the previous vignette passes the baton to the newly introduced character of the current one, he should at least be congratulated on using it so effectively. Each of the ten characters feel like living, breathing human beings going through different chapters of their lives. Filled with compassion and humanity, this is well worth the read and would be a pleasure to see produced!

Paul Donnelly's AFTER ANOTHER is appropriately titled given that the characters are interwoven together to give the audience multiple perspectives on how love and relationships look different to each person. This play raises a lot of questions audience members will ask as they reflect on their own experiences with love. I thoroughly enjoyed this play and would love to see it performed on stage. It has a lot of beautifully written scenes for actors to sink their teeth into.

"After Another" is a compelling play that delves into the intricacies of relationships, exploring themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the challenges of communication in marriage, parenting, and all challenges in life. The authentic dialogue and unexpected twists add depth to the narrative, making it an engaging and thought-provoking piece.

With After Another, Donnelly has given audiences many tantalizing glimpses into contemporary romance, with humor, tenderness, and a deep empathy for these many characters. By casting a wide net, exploring many types of relationships across a large range of ages, the play invites audiences to think deeply about the nature of love, sex, and romantic relationships. It would be wonderful to see an ensemble of actors perform these deftly written scenes.

Consider the possible two-person permutations of gender and sexual orientation. Paul Donnelly has captured nine of those permutations in vignettes that are linked in a series of steppingstones that carry the audience on a journey exploring relationships. After Another is about much more than the impact of gender and sexual orientation on relationships. Sex is an undercurrent, if not a central issue, in each vignette, but After Another goes much deeper into meaningful thematic permutations dealing with love, fidelity, parenthood, loss, and more. Well done.

PAUL DONNELLY’s play, “After Another (Full Length)”, is a well-written look at relationships with a beautifully woven texture, which is interesting, provocative, engaging, sentimental, witty, and much more. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this play and would love to see it performed. There were so many intriguing questions raised, and the audience is sure to be engaged watching a performance and then talking about it well after leaving the theater.

A modern look at relationships - similar to Schnitzler's La Ronde (upon which it is based) - with nine winding, interwoven scenes in which nine pairs consider the relationships in one or more of their lives. While La Ronde was considered provocative and controversial, this After Another is more contemplative and considerate. And that's not a bad thing. not at all. All the characters presented are well drawn, with recognizable and affecting interactions for the audience to consider. Highly successful. Bravo!