←Recommendations of 19 Excellent Reasons to Date Matthew Weaver (a monologue)

I'm screaming. What starts out as a silly, tongue-in-cheek monologue about rizz, evolves into a profound testament to unconditional love for oneself and the world around them; a lesson in consent; a poem about the people we love and why we love them; a healing journey; an invitation. New audition monologue alert(?) I'm a fan.

Quite a few people would be able to relate to the idea of not giving ourselves enough credit for the good things about ourselves. In this monologue Matthew explores this idea but listing the qualities in...well himself. You'd think from the title this would be a piece all about ego but it's far from it. Its wonderfully honest and presents the audience with a wonderful image of what it is to really look inside at your good qualities and then present them in a fabulously original. This could make a wonderfully powerful and funny performance with a great end!

As someone who struggles with not giving himself enough credit (as told by my partner who wishes I would see myself the way they see me), I understand this piece. It's not just funny, it is relatable on many, many levels.

Funny, sure, on the surface, but actually a play of real depth, feeling and insight. The struggle for self-knowledge and self-acceptance subtly undergirds the entire piece.

Tons of humour but also a lot of reality which makes it funny, yet relatable. I do believe that every creative artist can see oneself reading, watching or performing this piece as it brings an underrated moral to the surface we should all practice more. Props to the author for casting Matthew as a female - a captivating decision that brings an intriguing twist to it!

I kept seeing this monologue pop up on the front page so I decided it was time to check it out - it's highly praised for good reason. This is an introspective, honest piece with a nice sense of humor, and the casting directive that Matthew is played by a woman is a wrinkle that brings really fun texture to the work. A nicely self-aware piece.

I can't imagine any actor who wouldn't want to perform this monologue. Why not stand up and tell the world why you're worth dating with comic bravado and a few hilarious doubts? Then you get to blast off at the end. Sounds like fun to me.

The entire reason this play exists (and SHOULD exist) is for the 19th reason. This is one of the most important things any creative person should do. Hell, ANY person, creative or not, should do. I won't say what it is. This way, if you are at all curious, you have to read this. Or see it done. Or better yet, make your own list. Matthew Weaver has shown you the way to do it right.

I smiled all the way through reading this monologue, and paused a couple of times to re-read lines and let them truly sink in. It's so charming and funny, but also so wonderfully vulnerable. I would be delighted to watch this!

I love the multiple ways to read the final line: it reflects the myriad of approaches Matthew Weaver uses to tell the piece, balancing the urge to present our 'best selves' in dating with the authenticity of an artist. Weaver deconstructs each point in a familiar 'list' of qualities, bringing his true self - and some wonderful humor - to each until we receive an empathetic portrait of the speaker. A terrific concept, well-executed!