Recommended by Paul Donnelly

  • Paul Donnelly: Exit Strategy

    This is an extremely witty depiction of the lengths to which one man will go to sustain a relationship. And how those lengths fail him. The reversal in the final scene is especially funny and leaves us with a little hope that Sean might learn to just be himself. I have to say the humor in this play is off the charts on my personal Likert Scale.

    This is an extremely witty depiction of the lengths to which one man will go to sustain a relationship. And how those lengths fail him. The reversal in the final scene is especially funny and leaves us with a little hope that Sean might learn to just be himself. I have to say the humor in this play is off the charts on my personal Likert Scale.

  • Paul Donnelly: Admission Impossible

    This darkly funny satire turns the concept of "helicopter" parenting on its head. Mark's effort to sabotage his daughter's pretty much guaranteed college admission neatly parodies the desperate lengths to which some parents will go to gain their offspring admission.

    This darkly funny satire turns the concept of "helicopter" parenting on its head. Mark's effort to sabotage his daughter's pretty much guaranteed college admission neatly parodies the desperate lengths to which some parents will go to gain their offspring admission.

  • Paul Donnelly: Human Resources

    A beautiful and unique look at forming human connections in an inhumane environment that encompasses matters of real life and death, of loss and betrayal, of mercy and decency. Alan and Kate are rich and complex characters and it is heartening to watch their relationship evolve. Even Justin, the slimeball CEO who is truly only out for himself, is vividly drawn. The commentary on corporate culture inherent in the narrative is trenchant and biting. This is a rich script working successfully on so many levels.

    A beautiful and unique look at forming human connections in an inhumane environment that encompasses matters of real life and death, of loss and betrayal, of mercy and decency. Alan and Kate are rich and complex characters and it is heartening to watch their relationship evolve. Even Justin, the slimeball CEO who is truly only out for himself, is vividly drawn. The commentary on corporate culture inherent in the narrative is trenchant and biting. This is a rich script working successfully on so many levels.

  • Paul Donnelly: A Tragedy Of Owls

    This is a vital reclamation of an important part of LGBTQ history. Even as he faces death, Willem refuses to let the truth of his love be suppressed. The courage he brought to resisting the Nazi's extends to affirming his identity. This spare, moving play brings Willem's courage into true focus and leaves us in awe of that courage.

    This is a vital reclamation of an important part of LGBTQ history. Even as he faces death, Willem refuses to let the truth of his love be suppressed. The courage he brought to resisting the Nazi's extends to affirming his identity. This spare, moving play brings Willem's courage into true focus and leaves us in awe of that courage.

  • Paul Donnelly: CRISIS ON A BENCH (a 10 minute play)

    Poor wounded, heartbroken Ella actually needs to see that she dodged a bullet. Cora is the perfect friend to bring her out of the slough of despond into which she has fallen. This is a charming, funny play that is a delight to read and would be a delight to see staged.

    Poor wounded, heartbroken Ella actually needs to see that she dodged a bullet. Cora is the perfect friend to bring her out of the slough of despond into which she has fallen. This is a charming, funny play that is a delight to read and would be a delight to see staged.

  • Paul Donnelly: Bluebonnets

    June sits in a beautiful field of bluebonnets overcome with grief. June and her father are both real, grounded, and compelling characters. How June is lead out of the overwhelmedness, if not the grief, is the subject of this lovely reflection on the process of healing.

    June sits in a beautiful field of bluebonnets overcome with grief. June and her father are both real, grounded, and compelling characters. How June is lead out of the overwhelmedness, if not the grief, is the subject of this lovely reflection on the process of healing.

  • Paul Donnelly: I Am He

    A sweet father/son game of catch advances to a reveal that is moving and heartfelt. The father's confession of his fear is truly shattering. So much real emotion packed into a short piece.

    A sweet father/son game of catch advances to a reveal that is moving and heartfelt. The father's confession of his fear is truly shattering. So much real emotion packed into a short piece.

  • Paul Donnelly: What's Up Pig?

    Bob uses an unusual collaboration to solve his annoying sibling problem. A classic fairy tale gets a dark spin in this deliciously macabre spoof.

    Bob uses an unusual collaboration to solve his annoying sibling problem. A classic fairy tale gets a dark spin in this deliciously macabre spoof.

  • Paul Donnelly: Boys Will Be...

    This seemingly gentle coming of age story builds to gut-punch of an ending. Every word rings true from their first interactions as five year-olds (well, two five and one six), through adolescence, to the struggle for identity that fractures their bond. Always thoroughly engaging, this story has a gripping and shocking, but thoroughly earned conclusion.

    This seemingly gentle coming of age story builds to gut-punch of an ending. Every word rings true from their first interactions as five year-olds (well, two five and one six), through adolescence, to the struggle for identity that fractures their bond. Always thoroughly engaging, this story has a gripping and shocking, but thoroughly earned conclusion.

  • Paul Donnelly: Performance Anxiety [Or, On Being Late To A Virtual Work Call]

    This giddy farce builds from a seemingly mundane workday Zoom call to dazzling meta madness. The juxtaposition between stage Josh and Toni and video Josh and Toni is hysterical. The surreal conclusion is a fitting, but surprising, button to all that came before. All-in-all, this is a most entertaining short play.

    This giddy farce builds from a seemingly mundane workday Zoom call to dazzling meta madness. The juxtaposition between stage Josh and Toni and video Josh and Toni is hysterical. The surreal conclusion is a fitting, but surprising, button to all that came before. All-in-all, this is a most entertaining short play.