Recommended by Mark Loewenstern

  • And Be Gay
    27 Jun. 2021
    Charming, visually memorable, funny and fun. IMHO, also deeper than it may appear. The dialogue hints towards violence, summons memories of Charlottesville. Buried, unspoken anger and fear charge the humor driving this story, and Cathro leads us, quickly and skillfully, to a glorious catharsis.
  • EVERYDAY AVIATION: A Play for Videoconference
    5 Jun. 2021
    I love that this play conjures magic from the latest technology, and I love that it is, all at once, a coronavirus play, a play set in different times in both the past and the future, and finally an evergreen story of a person at his wit's end finding some comfort and peace. Highly relatable, trippy, fresh and charming.
  • Shylock's Beard
    16 May. 2021
    This play presents the best argument I've ever heard for the continuing relevance of the character Shylock. Set against an enlightening story about the soul-destroying nature of pride, Mazer shows us a protagonist whose descent is entirely believable and relevant to us. While giving fair due to Shakespeare's treatment of Shylock's Jewishness, Mazer's script then delves beneath it to explore Shylock's own individual choices, and what we can learn from them about the mingling of love and money, and the transcendent nature of mercy.
  • Caesar's Blood
    26 Apr. 2021
    Was lucky to catch a Zoom performance and was much impressed with how Rubin conjures this historical moment making it credibly of that time, and also usefully relevant to ours. It is an engrossing backstage drama that is also a vigorous exploration of America's original sin. Worthy of more productions.
  • THE YELLOW WALLPAPER
    10 Apr. 2021
    Saw a performance of this play 7 years ago and it stays with me, how the Wallpaper was itself another antagonist in the eyes of Jane. Bodine skillfully makes inanimate objects seem sinister, while showing us how the loving treatment of Jane's husband is in fact cruel and torturous. When retribution comes, it is layered, cathartic, satisfying. A plum role.
  • Jagged Journey
    9 Apr. 2021
    Gartner takes us on a theatrically fresh journey through a fascinating world, where people literally negotiate with the unloved parts of themselves they might prefer to forget about. An honest, innovative, well-realized and insightful story that vividly depicts the protagonist's personal struggles while being wholly relatable to audiences. Would love to see a full production.
  • THE JUGGLER - MONOLOGUE
    9 Mar. 2021
    This is a relatable, useful monologue about setting boundaries and self-care. In a few flourishes Lilly comes into her own and grows healthier. Many audience members will find it empowering, good advice.
  • Sometimes a Sandwich is Just a Sandwich
    7 Mar. 2021
    A treat full of irresistibly funny lines. PB&J are here a believable couple and also denizens of a foodtopia that we immediately understand and enjoy. Naughty sweet fun.
  • Runtime Error
    3 Mar. 2021
    This incisive exploration of power and abuse serves up a compelling and useful answer to the perennial question of why the abused don't leave, don't speak up, don't get out. It avoids redundant moralizing to focus on Tal's internal journey which is both timely and timeless, and a silent reality for all too many women and men. Dramatic, visually dynamic, and engrossing, this script deserves a full production.
  • Pudding
    2 Mar. 2021
    It's always a joy to see the immediacy of live theater used in a way you've never seen it used before. When that innovation is then given emotional resonance, it's all the sweeter. We feel Claudette holding back her pain while the instant pudding sets, and my heart goes out to her.

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