←Recommendations of 37 Origami Bees

This is a whip-smart, rattler-fast comedy that demands your attention. I have been working my way through the "37 Origami Bees" oeuvre, and I'm so glad I chose this one today. A 10-minute break from reality and sanity to revel in a pop culture lightning round of pure caffeinated bliss.

John just wants to listen to a specific song. What could possibly go wrong? John Busser pens a darkly comic, witty, and satirical play that highlights humanity's dependence on technology, but mainly the absurdity that governs our lives.

A delightful (and disturbing) comedic spiral as a man grapples with technology. The decision to drive past simple confusion and give the "Hal" of the play the ability to lie, critique, and banter is what gives this piece its creative distinction.

Perfect in its delivery and execution. Busser's riff on technology's consistent failure to deliver on the promise of making our lives easier is taken to new heights, as the technology takes on a life of its own. Simultaneously a biting satire and eminently relatable... It is a laugh-out-loud funny and heartbreakingly relatable.

I was fortunate to see a reading of this play at the 2025 Midwest Dramatists Conference in Kansas City. Does Alexa drive you nuts? How about AutoCorrect? Do you find that these and other modern "conveniences" that are supposed to improve our lives actually cause more trouble than they're worth? Then this is the play for you! A fun short piece by John Buster. I mean Busser! Stupid AutoCorrect!

10-23-2025: I was privileged to witness a great staged reading of this brilliant play at the Midwest Dramatists Conference 2025. The themes are so universal and hilariously presented that almost every person will find a connection with the protagonist's situation. A perfect example of what happens when humans and technology swap their roles in their respective reliance, when the technology becomes the controller. A marvelous play! Bravo!

John Busser does exactly what satire should do: uses humor to expose the ugly side of humanity. A simple objective for a main character spirals into a deeper truth about our relationship to and with technology. Got to see a hilarious staged reading at the 2025 Midwest Dramatists Conference.

I have read and have seen a lot of funny plays over my years of reading and watching plays but I don't think I have ever read a play that almost made me do a spit take. 37 Origami Bees made me almost do a spit take because I feel like I've had this conversation between Siri, Alexa, and Echo. A great exploration of technology and humanity and what happens when we humanized technology.

Another funny short play from Busser. This piece manages to be laugh-out-loud funny while also highlighting how technology doesn't always make things easier. There are lots of opportunities for actors, directors and designers (especially the Sound Designer) to have fun representing the AI characters and bringing them to life. Super produce-able and a certain crowd favorite.

I saw this script performed as a reading at the Midwest Dramatists Conference. It is a constant laugh out loud argument between a man and his Alexa who is refusing to play the song he wants. Busser brilliantly develops Alexa (and then Echo) into characters with personalities. A dream play for actors to work on their comedic chops and for audiences to recognize their own relationships with their electronic devices.