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Daniel Prillaman

Recommended by Daniel Prillaman

  • GROWTH IN ISOLATION by Monica Cross
    8 Feb. 2021
    “ Cross' drama will take root in your heart! There's some lovely magical realism in here that pops up with a delightful twist (as well as a beautiful reminder that zoom/virtual plays can be fantastic too, they need not be just talking heads of dialogue). The beauty in this one lies within the central metaphor for the long distance relationship, but where it shines is the many ways you can interpret how it affects us for better or worse, as individuals or as a couple. I feel like I could unpack this for hours in the best of ways. ”
  • Down Cellar by Jordan Elizabeth Henry
    8 Feb. 2021
    “ Horror is so difficult on stage because you can't cut away. You have to consistently build and pace your tension down to the second, and Henry does this masterfully. "Down Cellar" is a dark, horrific poem packed to the brim with sick, scary visuals that would both fascinate an audience and give them nightmares. Most frighteningly, the story is all too real, and as the characters reveal more and more of their true selves, our terror grows. A brilliant piece. ”
  • The Coffeehouse Monologues by Austin Hendricks
    7 Feb. 2021
    “ No matter how you like your coffee, you'll find Hendricks' monologues dole out sweetness and bitter taste in equal measure. Part Twilight Zone, part purgatory, part body horror, this strange collection of customers and retail workers (many of whom seem to have problems specifically in line with some deadly sins) will suck you in as they regale you with their plights. This piece is charismatic and fun, and you could stage it in oh so many ways. Well done. ”
  • WASH by TJ Young
    7 Feb. 2021
    “ With masterful strokes of worldbuilding, Young gives us a deeply theatrical sci-fi that provokes an anguished fury against history and the evils of slavery and racism. Tenith is a phenomenal character, anchoring a layered cast amidst opportunities for designers of every medium to work at the top of their craft. Like the best sci-fi, Young (who has such a gift for story construction) examines a small, tightly composed story with massive implications, asking primal human questions and blurring the line between companionship and ownership. This is exactly the kind of piece we don't see on its feet enough. Produce this. ”
  • Tea Town by Gretchen Suarez-Pena
    6 Feb. 2021
    “ We know something is dangerously off from the outset. We just don't know what. Suarez-Pena deftly builds the tension with each line of dialogue until we finally do discover what's wrong. And what's wrong is chilling. This is a deadly little short that will burrow deep beneath your skin, and, much like the tea, you'll find it delicious. Well done! ”
  • Second Act Second Helpings by John Mabey
    6 Feb. 2021
    “ A funny and thoughtful exploration of the short and long-term effects of making it through 2020. Through a loving, semi-adventurous couple (a lovely opportunity for a pair of older actors), Mabey gives voice to an uncanny survivor's guilt shared by all of us still here. What do we do now? Especially staring down the rest of what we have in front of us? Also, the ending has just that perfect comic touch.
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  • For Leonora, or, Companions by Hayley St. James
    4 Feb. 2021
    “ It's hard to put into words just how wonderful, magical, exciting, freeing, romantic, and damn good St. James’ play is. Nora and Stephanie’s adventure into realms real and imaginary is an eye-opening portrayal of living on multiple spectrums and how it impacts the struggle to find yourself (as well as your chosen companions). It is also an inherently THEATRICAL play, the kind I forever long to see and see with endless obsession. It is a thunderous, gorgeous piece of writing and has enough puppetry and design elements to let the techs run wild. Highly recommend. ”
  • Dancing Lesson by Adam Richter
    2 Feb. 2021
    “ Forget dancing like no one is watching. Dance like someone is. Richter's play is delightfully wholesome, and is a powerful meditation on the healing and affirming power of dance (as well as trying something new and the adventure that comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone). With some choice moments for choreographers to work their craft as well, this short two-hander would satisfy at any festival. ”
  • A Sunday Morning in Richmond, VA by DC Cathro
    2 Feb. 2021
    “ Cathro's play hits brutally hard, balancing the fine line of not just condemning his characters' overt white supremacy, but the subtle ways in which some of them have allowed it to spread and flourish. It brilliantly draws a visual of the dangers of inaction and apathy, and attempts to ignore the obvious signs until they're right in front of us. And by that point, it's too late. How do we save people from that? How do we save loved ones? Or can we even still love them? ”
  • Forget About Me (The Breakfast Club Play) by David Hansen
    18 Jan. 2021
    “ I DEVOURED this play. Hansen's dialogue is deceptively simple and naturalistic, lulling us into what almost seems to be a slice of life play until we hit that one reveal (one of the best I've ever seen) that changes everything. I could unpack Dots and Moms for ages and still gain new insight, and frankly those are the most lovely kind of characters. All that amongst the commentary of how well have those 80s movies really aged (and by association, how drastically the world has changed since our childhoods), and you've got an amazing intergenerational comedic drama. ”

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