←Recommendations of The Prime Cut

It turns out Darcy's "stress' isn't related to her new job or her impending wedding. Wise seamstress Lena helps her get to and beyond the root of her problem. This delicious comedy makes a serous point about body image and the damage it can do. The delightful twist is the cherry on the sundae of this emotional banquet.

Audiences will find much healing in this as funny as it is dramatic/wholesome/honest short play from Kantor, a vibrant voice and inspiring presence in playwriting. Her plays never go entirely in the way you expect, they always wind up going some place much, much better. Expect to see THE PRIME CUT - erstwhile ERSTWHILE- in many festivals and competitions, deservedly so.

If there's one thing a bride needs - it's her "swoosh." And when you find out why Darcy's losing it - your heart cracks a little. Cows and mothers and pockets and swoosh somehow produce a beginning, middle and end that goes from quirkiness to sweetness, to abrupt sadness and finally to an ending that is also a beginning. It all makes sense but you never see any of it coming - which is why you stay connected until the very end.

The comparison between a wagyu cow awaiting slaughter and a bride approaching her wedding day is brilliant. Aly Kantor's The Prime Cut skillfully illustrates how, despite whatever progress society has made, the wedding is an ancient custom, carrying with it a lot of ancient (i.e. "outdated") expectations.

"I meant, everyone’s been telling me how good I look. My mom said she’s never seen me look so beautiful. So, maybe it’s worth it." And with that line, Aly Kantor shows us Darcy is trapped. But in "The Prime Cut" the audience and readers see the moment Darcy escapes and it's beautiful, even more than a wedding with embellishments, pockets, and a swoosh. This short play will be performed everywhere and will have a robust production history.

This play pulled me in instantly! Aly Kantor takes a dep dive into the world of body types and weight loss while also taking a deep dive into Darcy's struggles. Lena is there as her companion and her biggest supporter. I'm hungry for sliders now. Nice work Aly!

Aly Kantor's relatable ten-minute play pulls you in immediately with the sense that we're starting in the middle. Thus, we care about the characters and the troubling weight loss. It's compelling watching Darcy rationalize her weight loss as Lena gently reminds her what is actually important. Kantor does an excellent job at showing the impact of the societal pressure created by body shaming. By the end of the play, you will want Darcy eating more sliders, named or otherwise. Well done! (see what I did there?)

03.15.26 - Aly Kantor has a way of immediately sucking you in to whatever world she's fashioning and getting you invested in the characters right away. And she did it while teaching you about naming cows. I don't know how she does it, but she does it. And while Darcy's erstwhile heavier body is both the bane and the allure of this play, she tells it in a way that makes it relatable to everyone, regardless of body type. And it's funny enough to keep you in stitches. See what I did there?

At first I thought I knew exactly who Darcy was making herself smaller for, but that detail doesn't matter. The details of what make Darcy Darcy and her dress HER dress are what matter. I hope she finds her voice and her joy at her wedding! Lena is a good ear and this will be delightful to stage.

Yes, there are real, dimensioned people inhabiting the tiny world of this play. Characters so real that one can only be lulled by their beating hearts. In the case of the main character, a heart on the verge of breaking. Aly Kantor's "Erstwhile (or, The Prime Cut)" is a vivid, rapturous snapshot of a play that can only serve as a great ride for actors and audiences alike.