Recommended by Monica Cross

  • Monica Cross: Tropes I Hate: The Title of the Play We're In by Scott Sickles
    “

    Scott Sickles presents a scathing send up of irritating theatrical tropes. In this iteration, we are given everything we need to know to know that we don't want know anything more. The Title of the Play We're In is in fact the title of the play we are in, and Scott makes us dread every minute of it. WELL DONE!

    Scott Sickles presents a scathing send up of irritating theatrical tropes. In this iteration, we are given everything we need to know to know that we don't want know anything more. The Title of the Play We're In is in fact the title of the play we are in, and Scott makes us dread every minute of it. WELL DONE!

    ”
  • Monica Cross: Buckets of Rain by Douglas Gearhart
    “

    I had the honor of seeing Buckets of Rain in the Hippodrome Theatre's New Works Festival in Gainesville, FL. In this play, Douglas Gearhart gives us two snapshots into a couples lives. Full of tension and conflict, we get two lifetimes of hope and regret in each sentence and half uttered thought. The dialogue feels very real and raw.

    And excellent challenge for two actors. Highly Recommended!

    I had the honor of seeing Buckets of Rain in the Hippodrome Theatre's New Works Festival in Gainesville, FL. In this play, Douglas Gearhart gives us two snapshots into a couples lives. Full of tension and conflict, we get two lifetimes of hope and regret in each sentence and half uttered thought. The dialogue feels very real and raw.

    And excellent challenge for two actors. Highly Recommended!

    ”
  • Monica Cross: Treason at the Globe
    “

    TREASON AT THE GLOBE is combine the suspense of Noir Detective Stories with the grandiosity of Shakespeare's England. Francis Boyle knows his history and uses it to masterful effect in this tale of intrigue. If you are looking for a play in the larger Shakespeare Dramatic Universe, this is a show for you.

    TREASON AT THE GLOBE is a wonderful script, and I would love to see it staged!

    TREASON AT THE GLOBE is combine the suspense of Noir Detective Stories with the grandiosity of Shakespeare's England. Francis Boyle knows his history and uses it to masterful effect in this tale of intrigue. If you are looking for a play in the larger Shakespeare Dramatic Universe, this is a show for you.

    TREASON AT THE GLOBE is a wonderful script, and I would love to see it staged!

    ”
  • Monica Cross: 4 Words of Advice (5 minute play) by Elisabeth Giffin Speckman
    “

    I have 4 words of advice: GO PRODUCE THIS PLAY!

    Elizabeth Giffin Speckman tells us a complete story 4 words at a time. The open-endedness of this piece gives actors the freedom to explore each line and make bold vibrant choices. Great for any short play festival, and ideal for an ensemble looking for a text to devise with.

    I have 4 words of advice: GO PRODUCE THIS PLAY!

    Elizabeth Giffin Speckman tells us a complete story 4 words at a time. The open-endedness of this piece gives actors the freedom to explore each line and make bold vibrant choices. Great for any short play festival, and ideal for an ensemble looking for a text to devise with.

    ”
  • Monica Cross: How to Talk to Your Child About Psychedelics by Daniel Prillaman
    “

    This is the third installment in the HOW TO TALK TO YOUR CHILD ABOUT ... series, and it continues Prillaman's comic perfection! I got to read Amy in a table read and it was .... Far Out!!! I would love to play her on stage. In fact, all of the characters are great!

    Well paced, and delightfully funny. Read this play, PRODUCE THIS PLAY!

    Disclaimer: an endorsement of this play does not constitute an endorsement of recreational use of illegal substances.

    This is the third installment in the HOW TO TALK TO YOUR CHILD ABOUT ... series, and it continues Prillaman's comic perfection! I got to read Amy in a table read and it was .... Far Out!!! I would love to play her on stage. In fact, all of the characters are great!

    Well paced, and delightfully funny. Read this play, PRODUCE THIS PLAY!

    Disclaimer: an endorsement of this play does not constitute an endorsement of recreational use of illegal substances.

    ”
  • Monica Cross: The Eyes, The Nose, The South of You / The East, West, North, and the Mouth of You (two parts of the one-minute play series Destination: Wedding) by Scott Sickles
    “

    I can't think of a better person to write awkwardly romantic characters than Scott Sickles. These two plays are about people who are absolutely IN LOVE and we can feel it though every awkward metaphor and every improper response. The titles are stunningly breathtaking and the plays are silly and sweet. I would want to be at this couples wedding and I am sure they are well suited because Scott has given us this gloriously awkward glimpse into their lives.

    I can't think of a better person to write awkwardly romantic characters than Scott Sickles. These two plays are about people who are absolutely IN LOVE and we can feel it though every awkward metaphor and every improper response. The titles are stunningly breathtaking and the plays are silly and sweet. I would want to be at this couples wedding and I am sure they are well suited because Scott has given us this gloriously awkward glimpse into their lives.

    ”
  • Monica Cross: Letter to my Brother by Franky D. Gonzalez
    “

    This boxer is tough. He is skilled, he is methodical, and he is a champion. But as an older brother, he is full of caring, love, and nostalgia. These are not contradictions in Franky Gonzalez's play. They are the complex tapestry that make the events that the boxer is about to face one of the hardest nights of his life. And we are invited in to the most private moments before the public showdown in LETTERS TO MY BROTHER.

    It is a powerful short play, with an amazing monologue for an actor to dive into.

    This boxer is tough. He is skilled, he is methodical, and he is a champion. But as an older brother, he is full of caring, love, and nostalgia. These are not contradictions in Franky Gonzalez's play. They are the complex tapestry that make the events that the boxer is about to face one of the hardest nights of his life. And we are invited in to the most private moments before the public showdown in LETTERS TO MY BROTHER.

    It is a powerful short play, with an amazing monologue for an actor to dive into.

    ”
  • Monica Cross: ACCIDENTALLY UNLIKE A MONSTER by Charles Scott Jones
    “

    ACCIDENTIALLY UNLIKE A MONSTER moves the way the songs it is based on feel. Ah-hoo! A hazy hotel room, a chance encounter, and a moment of introspection, Charles Scott Jones offers a glimpse into the messy life our rock star protagonist. This play would be fun to see staged!

    ACCIDENTIALLY UNLIKE A MONSTER moves the way the songs it is based on feel. Ah-hoo! A hazy hotel room, a chance encounter, and a moment of introspection, Charles Scott Jones offers a glimpse into the messy life our rock star protagonist. This play would be fun to see staged!

    ”
  • Monica Cross: THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO, adapted from Edgar Allan Poe's short story of the same name by Steven G. Martin
    “

    Steven G. Martin has written a gorgeous adaptation of THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO! Steve takes Poe's story and heightens its intensity by dramatizing it. From the deathbed confession that leaves us wondering how remorseful Montresor truly is to the foreboding repetition of "Amontillado", it is fast paced and yet we still feel like we are watching a trainwreck happen in slow motion with no way of stopping it as we watch in horror as Fortunato is obliviously lured to his doom.

    Highly Recommended!

    Steven G. Martin has written a gorgeous adaptation of THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO! Steve takes Poe's story and heightens its intensity by dramatizing it. From the deathbed confession that leaves us wondering how remorseful Montresor truly is to the foreboding repetition of "Amontillado", it is fast paced and yet we still feel like we are watching a trainwreck happen in slow motion with no way of stopping it as we watch in horror as Fortunato is obliviously lured to his doom.

    Highly Recommended!

    ”
  • Monica Cross: YOU DON'T OWN MY SOUL ANYMORE by Adam Richter
    “

    What a riveting 10 minute play! Middle school can feel like the highest stakes environment we will ever find ourselves in.... but then again Outer Space raises the stakes even more. Yet sometimes it doesn't matter that the fate of humanity hangs in the balance, all that matters is confronting that one person who tormented you. This is fun and somewhat comic in the absurdity of the situation while also getting at a deeply tragic feeling so many can relate to.

    BRAVO!

    What a riveting 10 minute play! Middle school can feel like the highest stakes environment we will ever find ourselves in.... but then again Outer Space raises the stakes even more. Yet sometimes it doesn't matter that the fate of humanity hangs in the balance, all that matters is confronting that one person who tormented you. This is fun and somewhat comic in the absurdity of the situation while also getting at a deeply tragic feeling so many can relate to.

    BRAVO!

    ”