Recommended by Kris Thompson

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    Reading this timely two-hander, I could see it playing out on stage. Tension building, one character completely aware and in the moment, the other living in his own fantasy world of hate and arrogance. The dialectic restraint is effective. The release, exquisite. Brava Wirsansky!

    Reading this timely two-hander, I could see it playing out on stage. Tension building, one character completely aware and in the moment, the other living in his own fantasy world of hate and arrogance. The dialectic restraint is effective. The release, exquisite. Brava Wirsansky!

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    I loved intimately witnessing friendship blossom between two very different characters. Seeing them grow to appreciate their differences and acknowledge important commonalities was completely gratifying. There are lessons to be learned here...but they're perfectly subtle. Houk paints amazing possibilities for staging this story. I can see it. And his dialogue lifted the characters right off the page, giving them dimension. I can imagine how fantastic they would be represented on stage. Bravo!

    I loved intimately witnessing friendship blossom between two very different characters. Seeing them grow to appreciate their differences and acknowledge important commonalities was completely gratifying. There are lessons to be learned here...but they're perfectly subtle. Houk paints amazing possibilities for staging this story. I can see it. And his dialogue lifted the characters right off the page, giving them dimension. I can imagine how fantastic they would be represented on stage. Bravo!

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    Plumridge gives us a hilarious modern-day retelling of an Old Testament story we all know, a stubborn character (Samuel) who believes his wisdom exceeds all others (including his wife, the meteorologists, and a virtual slew of other professionals), an unexpected outcome during which Samuel is surprised to meet his maker, and finally a lesson on faith learned. It would be amazing to see this play staged!

    Plumridge gives us a hilarious modern-day retelling of an Old Testament story we all know, a stubborn character (Samuel) who believes his wisdom exceeds all others (including his wife, the meteorologists, and a virtual slew of other professionals), an unexpected outcome during which Samuel is surprised to meet his maker, and finally a lesson on faith learned. It would be amazing to see this play staged!

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    Mandryk's understanding of community theatre struggles are clear in his delightful, sharply paced satire "Venus Needs Men". Repeating the same old shows over and over, begging for set pieces, and...most importantly...the lack available male actors. And all on another planet! Hilarious. Additionally, is it chock-full of colorful characters, clever dialogue, and an opportunity to go nuts on set and costuming. From lights up to end of scene, fabulous. I'd love to see this one produced.

    Mandryk's understanding of community theatre struggles are clear in his delightful, sharply paced satire "Venus Needs Men". Repeating the same old shows over and over, begging for set pieces, and...most importantly...the lack available male actors. And all on another planet! Hilarious. Additionally, is it chock-full of colorful characters, clever dialogue, and an opportunity to go nuts on set and costuming. From lights up to end of scene, fabulous. I'd love to see this one produced.

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    Family drama that's fresh, interesting, and full of surprises? That's not easy to pull off and so well done here. O'Connell gently lulled me into believing the title "Man, Child" tipped its hat to Stan but look out, because when he skillfully peels back the layers with witty dialogue and compelling action we also find Jeremy...awake but not yet fully grown. Would love to see this one produced.

    Family drama that's fresh, interesting, and full of surprises? That's not easy to pull off and so well done here. O'Connell gently lulled me into believing the title "Man, Child" tipped its hat to Stan but look out, because when he skillfully peels back the layers with witty dialogue and compelling action we also find Jeremy...awake but not yet fully grown. Would love to see this one produced.

  • Kris Thompson: Phillie's Trilogy by Doug DeVita
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    The characters in Phillie's Trilogy feel so real, the dialogue so natural, that you are left with a vague impression that playwright Doug DeVeta might just be sifting through your own memories, sharing bits of your own reality. DeVeta's ability to seamlessly pull back the curtain of life, guide you through the nitty gritty of memory, and shine a light on both the vulnerability and the strength of life-long relationships is amazing. I really hope I one day have the opportunity to see this one staged.

    The characters in Phillie's Trilogy feel so real, the dialogue so natural, that you are left with a vague impression that playwright Doug DeVeta might just be sifting through your own memories, sharing bits of your own reality. DeVeta's ability to seamlessly pull back the curtain of life, guide you through the nitty gritty of memory, and shine a light on both the vulnerability and the strength of life-long relationships is amazing. I really hope I one day have the opportunity to see this one staged.

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  • Kris Thompson: The Lipstick (a monologue) by Lindsay Partain
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    Oh my...I have chills reading this poignant piece. Of course I've watched (with waaaay too much glee) all the zombie movies and shows. But this drills down to one girl, to her life, to her love, to her end and it's surprisingly beautiful.

    Oh my...I have chills reading this poignant piece. Of course I've watched (with waaaay too much glee) all the zombie movies and shows. But this drills down to one girl, to her life, to her love, to her end and it's surprisingly beautiful.

    ”
  • Kris Thompson: Phone Friend by Jonathan Josephson
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    I happened upon Josephson's blog and was hoping to find his "If Only, a Tale From a Thursday" but perhaps not yet fully developed. I was rewarded, however, with this short which poignantly demonstrates the downright necessity we all have for human connection and personal growth. Lovely...

    I happened upon Josephson's blog and was hoping to find his "If Only, a Tale From a Thursday" but perhaps not yet fully developed. I was rewarded, however, with this short which poignantly demonstrates the downright necessity we all have for human connection and personal growth. Lovely...

    ”
  • Kris Thompson: Stress for Success at Our Lady of the Bleeding Heart, Mind and Spirit - Once Reformed by Terence Patrick Hughes
    “

    What a hoot! Lovely, unexpected, elevated banter. Would love to see on stage.

    What a hoot! Lovely, unexpected, elevated banter. Would love to see on stage.

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  • Kris Thompson: Are You One of Those Robots? by Deirdre Girard
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    I love that this play acknowledges the possibility that love can overcome prejudices, that some prejudices really are simply born of ignorance, and that some relationships are worth trying to save. It is clever, warm, and sweet.

    I love that this play acknowledges the possibility that love can overcome prejudices, that some prejudices really are simply born of ignorance, and that some relationships are worth trying to save. It is clever, warm, and sweet.

    ”