Recommended by Paul Donnelly

  • Paul Donnelly: Quack by George Sapio
    “

    What could be more touching than a couple quacking "their" song? There is much humor mined from Jack's some might say excessive dedication to his craft and from long-suffering Cindi's fraying patience. This play offers a funny set up and deliriously witty execution.

    What could be more touching than a couple quacking "their" song? There is much humor mined from Jack's some might say excessive dedication to his craft and from long-suffering Cindi's fraying patience. This play offers a funny set up and deliriously witty execution.

    ”
  • Paul Donnelly: Today's América by Zareh Artinian
    “

    Wow. This play leaves its protagonist and the audience on the horns of a gripping moral dilemma. The opening and closing monologues are powerful and resonant, but it's the scene in between that gives this play its very real and gut-wrenching punch.

    Wow. This play leaves its protagonist and the audience on the horns of a gripping moral dilemma. The opening and closing monologues are powerful and resonant, but it's the scene in between that gives this play its very real and gut-wrenching punch.

    ”
  • Paul Donnelly: Arti Doll by Mike Byham
    “

    Yikes, this play is both creepy and funny as it develops an ever more disturbing narrative. Or does it offer a cautionary tale about the evolution of artificial intelligence and extraterrestrial communication? In any case, it is a supremely gripping and engaging work.

    Yikes, this play is both creepy and funny as it develops an ever more disturbing narrative. Or does it offer a cautionary tale about the evolution of artificial intelligence and extraterrestrial communication? In any case, it is a supremely gripping and engaging work.

    ”
  • Paul Donnelly: First Date 2099 by Mike Byham
    “

    This is a fresh and funny farce about controlled dating in the future. Despite the contractual hurdles at each stage of a rapidly evolving relationship, there is still a place for chance and spontaneity to prevail. It also wittily captures the transactional subtext of much contemporary dating.

    This is a fresh and funny farce about controlled dating in the future. Despite the contractual hurdles at each stage of a rapidly evolving relationship, there is still a place for chance and spontaneity to prevail. It also wittily captures the transactional subtext of much contemporary dating.

    ”
  • Paul Donnelly: Mick and Ernie go to Therapy by Mike Byham
    “

    What a hilarious farce about two dim-witted thieves and a case of seemingly mistaken identity! The characters are a hoot and the dialogue quite colorful. Their initial confusion builds into moments of revelation that are equally amusing. A surprising final twist leads to their getting their just deserts. But what really matters is that this is a very, very funny play.

    What a hilarious farce about two dim-witted thieves and a case of seemingly mistaken identity! The characters are a hoot and the dialogue quite colorful. Their initial confusion builds into moments of revelation that are equally amusing. A surprising final twist leads to their getting their just deserts. But what really matters is that this is a very, very funny play.

    ”
  • Paul Donnelly: Two-Timing Loaf of Bread by Ryan M. Bultrowicz
    “

    Absurdism at its funniest and most accessible. Gives a whole new meaning to "a loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and thou!" The premise and the execution are both very, very funny.

    Absurdism at its funniest and most accessible. Gives a whole new meaning to "a loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and thou!" The premise and the execution are both very, very funny.

    ”
  • Paul Donnelly: Ten Things I Hated Growing Up: A Monologue by Cole Hunter Dzubak
    “

    Oh to live in a world where such a list isn't necessary. But since we don't, I am grateful to Cole Hunter Dzubak for bravely compiling such a resonant and compelling list.

    Oh to live in a world where such a list isn't necessary. But since we don't, I am grateful to Cole Hunter Dzubak for bravely compiling such a resonant and compelling list.

    ”
  • Paul Donnelly: A Long Overdue Talk With Henry by John Busser
    “

    The late Henry gets his comeuppance in Gayle's darkly comic explosion of grief and pent-up rage. Gayle's anger is sympathetic, if carried to extremes, and her resolution is disturbingly satisfying.

    The late Henry gets his comeuppance in Gayle's darkly comic explosion of grief and pent-up rage. Gayle's anger is sympathetic, if carried to extremes, and her resolution is disturbingly satisfying.

    ”
  • Paul Donnelly: The Trouble With Cashews by David MacGregor
    “

    Who knew that a bowl of mixed nuts could become a harbinger of the apocalypse? The escalating hysteria of two siblings watching their aunt select out the cashews is riotously funny.

    Who knew that a bowl of mixed nuts could become a harbinger of the apocalypse? The escalating hysteria of two siblings watching their aunt select out the cashews is riotously funny.

    ”
  • Paul Donnelly: The Big Sneeze (or Much Achoo About Nothing) by Morey Norkin
    “

    Who knew that the way to a man's (metaphorical) heart was through his (literal) ribcage? The course of true love may not run smooth, but it runs hysterically in this screwball comedy.

    Who knew that the way to a man's (metaphorical) heart was through his (literal) ribcage? The course of true love may not run smooth, but it runs hysterically in this screwball comedy.

    ”