Recommended by Paul Donnelly

  •

    What fun! A delicious noir parody in which even the corpse gets an inner monologue. Rife with noir tropes and double entendres, this spoof would be a delight to see staged.

    What fun! A delicious noir parody in which even the corpse gets an inner monologue. Rife with noir tropes and double entendres, this spoof would be a delight to see staged.

  •

    This gripping two-hander grows eerier and eerier as the story progresses. It offers a riveting portrait of a complete unravelling. It's impossible to say more without introducing spoilers. Suffice it to say that the build from funny beginning to horrific ending is executed brilliantly.

    This gripping two-hander grows eerier and eerier as the story progresses. It offers a riveting portrait of a complete unravelling. It's impossible to say more without introducing spoilers. Suffice it to say that the build from funny beginning to horrific ending is executed brilliantly.

  •

    Lavender Blue offers a poignant and powerful depiction of two men whose love is overwhelmed by ambition and the mores of their time. It is ironic that the restrictive rules of the bar in which they meet turn out to be the unspoken code of the Hollywood in which they work. Hearing their backstories in ravishing monologues gives additional heft to their seemingly mutually exclusive quests for both love and professional recognition. The narrative builds to a final image that is heartbreaking.

    Lavender Blue offers a poignant and powerful depiction of two men whose love is overwhelmed by ambition and the mores of their time. It is ironic that the restrictive rules of the bar in which they meet turn out to be the unspoken code of the Hollywood in which they work. Hearing their backstories in ravishing monologues gives additional heft to their seemingly mutually exclusive quests for both love and professional recognition. The narrative builds to a final image that is heartbreaking.

  •

    Fun with giant rats and trapped humans, what's not to love? Mildred and Ernie are trained as rescue rats, but Mildred resists her training when she recognizes one of the humans as a research tormentor. Will Mildred believe Carro's self-serving apology? Will eager Ernie get to press the rescue button? The journey to these questions is most enjoyable and the resolution is ... well ... see for yourself.

    Fun with giant rats and trapped humans, what's not to love? Mildred and Ernie are trained as rescue rats, but Mildred resists her training when she recognizes one of the humans as a research tormentor. Will Mildred believe Carro's self-serving apology? Will eager Ernie get to press the rescue button? The journey to these questions is most enjoyable and the resolution is ... well ... see for yourself.

  •

    A lyrical mediation on the anxiety and exhilaration of realizing a trans identity that artfully uses origami leaves as a metaphor for the resilience that informs the process of transitioning. This is a beautiful and affirming work.

    A lyrical mediation on the anxiety and exhilaration of realizing a trans identity that artfully uses origami leaves as a metaphor for the resilience that informs the process of transitioning. This is a beautiful and affirming work.

  • Paul Donnelly: Cathedrals (a monologue) by Scott Sickles
    “

    What a subtle, sinuous, artful depiction of unrequited love. Our narrator tries to escape through art and travel, but the longing endures. What makes this narrator particularly engaging is the rueful humor that informs their recognition of the absurdity as well as the poignance of their situation. This is a true work of art springing from a pained response to art.

    What a subtle, sinuous, artful depiction of unrequited love. Our narrator tries to escape through art and travel, but the longing endures. What makes this narrator particularly engaging is the rueful humor that informs their recognition of the absurdity as well as the poignance of their situation. This is a true work of art springing from a pained response to art.

    ”
  • Paul Donnelly: ONE PHONE CALL (a ten minute play) by Marj O'Neill-Butler
    “

    Melinda has a shocking secret, the revelation of which shatters her marriage in this taut, captivating drama. The reveal is devastating and brings down a darkness from which there is no escape. The skill on display in bringing these characters and this narrative to life is truly impressive.

    Melinda has a shocking secret, the revelation of which shatters her marriage in this taut, captivating drama. The reveal is devastating and brings down a darkness from which there is no escape. The skill on display in bringing these characters and this narrative to life is truly impressive.

    ”
  • Paul Donnelly: The Lady With A Laptop by Dominica Plummer
    “

    This play sure didn't end up where I thought it was going. The shock of the final cascade of revelations is riveting and deeply unsettling. Martha's journey from annoying little old lady to steely agent of vengeance is the chilling core of the narrative. Not a play for a queasy flyer, but a dark and slyly funny treat for the rest of us.

    This play sure didn't end up where I thought it was going. The shock of the final cascade of revelations is riveting and deeply unsettling. Martha's journey from annoying little old lady to steely agent of vengeance is the chilling core of the narrative. Not a play for a queasy flyer, but a dark and slyly funny treat for the rest of us.

    ”
  • Paul Donnelly: EXHALE by Steven G. Martin
    “

    Six struggling and isolated men are gradually led to moments of connection and unguarded intimacy. We are taken on quite a journey in this brief, powerful vignette.

    Six struggling and isolated men are gradually led to moments of connection and unguarded intimacy. We are taken on quite a journey in this brief, powerful vignette.

    ”
  • Paul Donnelly: CHIMNEY MONSTER by Debra A. Cole
    “

    What a sweet and uplifting Christmas fable! Santo restores Ash's faith in his own magic and together they set out to restore family connections sundered by technology. I wish them much success in their wonderous endeavor.

    What a sweet and uplifting Christmas fable! Santo restores Ash's faith in his own magic and together they set out to restore family connections sundered by technology. I wish them much success in their wonderous endeavor.

    ”