←Recommendations of Manes Before Dames

  • Steven G. Martin: Manes Before Dames by Sam Heyman
    “

    Come for the bawdy humor in "Manes Before Dames," stay for the highly emotional core. The boys-will-be-boys humor among anthropomorphized lions made me laugh out loud, but Sam Heyman knows the true impact of this story is that Dave makes a choice to stand up for himself and what he needs. [24/10/12]

    Come for the bawdy humor in "Manes Before Dames," stay for the highly emotional core. The boys-will-be-boys humor among anthropomorphized lions made me laugh out loud, but Sam Heyman knows the true impact of this story is that Dave makes a choice to stand up for himself and what he needs. [24/10/12]

    ”
  • Julie Zaffarano: Manes Before Dames by Sam Heyman
    “

    "Manes before Dames" is a beautifully layered play -- very funny and heartfelt. The struggles are real and human. Love that the characters are lions and lionesses (the pride community metaphor is fantastic). Well done.

    "Manes before Dames" is a beautifully layered play -- very funny and heartfelt. The struggles are real and human. Love that the characters are lions and lionesses (the pride community metaphor is fantastic). Well done.

    ”
  • Brent Alles: Manes Before Dames by Sam Heyman
    “

    Sam should take much pride in writing such a funny piece based on this premise. (OK, sorry, got that out of the way.) Just imagining the staging of this put a smile on my face, and then there were many laugh-out-loud moments throughout. That being said, there's also actually some real insight in terms of relationships, societal expectations, and responsibility to be found here. Pretty masterful work for a 10-minute. This is going to be a great entry into any 10-minute festival that chooses to have it.

    Sam should take much pride in writing such a funny piece based on this premise. (OK, sorry, got that out of the way.) Just imagining the staging of this put a smile on my face, and then there were many laugh-out-loud moments throughout. That being said, there's also actually some real insight in terms of relationships, societal expectations, and responsibility to be found here. Pretty masterful work for a 10-minute. This is going to be a great entry into any 10-minute festival that chooses to have it.

    ”
  • Adam Richter: Manes Before Dames by Sam Heyman
    “

    Few people write about the complexities of human relationships as deftly as Sam Heyman does. Now add "lion" relationships to that skill set. "Manes Before Dames" is a lovely, often humorous and always heartfelt look at two lovers/friends and what happens when a woman (excuse me: lioness) comes between them.

    Bravo, Sam!

    Few people write about the complexities of human relationships as deftly as Sam Heyman does. Now add "lion" relationships to that skill set. "Manes Before Dames" is a lovely, often humorous and always heartfelt look at two lovers/friends and what happens when a woman (excuse me: lioness) comes between them.

    Bravo, Sam!

    ”
  • Philip Middleton Williams: Manes Before Dames by Sam Heyman
    “

    If I didn't know better, I'd swear this was a conversation that I've overheard or even been a part of many times in the past: a coming-of-age moment that we all go through, whether we're human or leonine. By casting it the way Sam Heyman has and giving it the setting that he has, we are able to remove ourselves from our own experiences and see it objectively... and truthfully. The comic twist of making this about anthropomorphic lions adds to the insight: which one are we, and does pride goeth before the fall?

    If I didn't know better, I'd swear this was a conversation that I've overheard or even been a part of many times in the past: a coming-of-age moment that we all go through, whether we're human or leonine. By casting it the way Sam Heyman has and giving it the setting that he has, we are able to remove ourselves from our own experiences and see it objectively... and truthfully. The comic twist of making this about anthropomorphic lions adds to the insight: which one are we, and does pride goeth before the fall?

    ”