Recommended by Wayne L. Firestone

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    Several years before the immersive Frida and Diego exhibit touring the globe Viellieu- Davis captured the essence of the artists’ tormented souls and genius in this evocative play. Crafted with rich Spanish songs, intermingled paintings and memories of Frida, we meet the broken artist through her “heart that was opened.” The audience experiences Frida and the awakening of an artist as if reading her personal diary, laid open for all to see, feel and celebrate.

    Several years before the immersive Frida and Diego exhibit touring the globe Viellieu- Davis captured the essence of the artists’ tormented souls and genius in this evocative play. Crafted with rich Spanish songs, intermingled paintings and memories of Frida, we meet the broken artist through her “heart that was opened.” The audience experiences Frida and the awakening of an artist as if reading her personal diary, laid open for all to see, feel and celebrate.

  • This was a perfect show for a bilingual high school cast. Esquivel balances light humor and authentic emotion skillfully to deliver a show that can be enjoyed by audience members of any age.

    This was a perfect show for a bilingual high school cast. Esquivel balances light humor and authentic emotion skillfully to deliver a show that can be enjoyed by audience members of any age.

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    Trying to understand how black and marginalized people feel in the bleak and violent 2020's? Chisholm takes us to 2049 for an answer with powerful, playful and poetic language that needs little translation. From evocative character names like Paper Clip and Fable we learn about power disparities and intended biases that germinate in gender, race and sexual orientation today. If you are brave or curious to be an ally then cross the river and experience the Anacostia Street Lions.

    Trying to understand how black and marginalized people feel in the bleak and violent 2020's? Chisholm takes us to 2049 for an answer with powerful, playful and poetic language that needs little translation. From evocative character names like Paper Clip and Fable we learn about power disparities and intended biases that germinate in gender, race and sexual orientation today. If you are brave or curious to be an ally then cross the river and experience the Anacostia Street Lions.

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    He just doesn’t get it— or say it— but that doesn’t stop Seinuk from demanding answers and accountability. When she can’t find solace for one grave heartbreak beyond her control she sleuths to find some closure from another misplaced wound. Seinuk reminds us that miscarriage is not a bad word and that refraining from uttering it aloud is not a shared privilege. Required reading for parents —and want to be parents —or those trying to support them.

    He just doesn’t get it— or say it— but that doesn’t stop Seinuk from demanding answers and accountability. When she can’t find solace for one grave heartbreak beyond her control she sleuths to find some closure from another misplaced wound. Seinuk reminds us that miscarriage is not a bad word and that refraining from uttering it aloud is not a shared privilege. Required reading for parents —and want to be parents —or those trying to support them.

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    It is said that the power of creation is contained in the power of naming. Fittingly, Marj O’Neil-Butler has dubbed Julia Tuttle as both the mother of Miami and the mother of Fannie her co-star in this multigenerational story of women too often neglected by history. This play brushes the dust off of an 1894 portrait and reluctant photograph subject whose crafty entrepreneurship opened Miami to trains, commerce and new fair weathered friends, tourists and residents.

    It is said that the power of creation is contained in the power of naming. Fittingly, Marj O’Neil-Butler has dubbed Julia Tuttle as both the mother of Miami and the mother of Fannie her co-star in this multigenerational story of women too often neglected by history. This play brushes the dust off of an 1894 portrait and reluctant photograph subject whose crafty entrepreneurship opened Miami to trains, commerce and new fair weathered friends, tourists and residents.

  • Wayne L. Firestone: Jailbird by Sheldon Shaw
    “

    Sheldon Shaw powerfully and playfully introduces us to a would be jail house lawyer who examines the contradictions of discrimination while he also cross examines his cell mate. Fast-paced and landing punches to all parts of the body no-one really emerges as Saint or Rabbi to truly save the day. However, this is not a dark play. It is fun and funny at times and provides a redeeming vision of how to overcome long standing family estrangement--- as well as revealing the planet's most prejudicial hour of the week.

    Sheldon Shaw powerfully and playfully introduces us to a would be jail house lawyer who examines the contradictions of discrimination while he also cross examines his cell mate. Fast-paced and landing punches to all parts of the body no-one really emerges as Saint or Rabbi to truly save the day. However, this is not a dark play. It is fun and funny at times and provides a redeeming vision of how to overcome long standing family estrangement--- as well as revealing the planet's most prejudicial hour of the week.

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  • Wayne L. Firestone: PARTNER OF — by Rachael Carnes
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    Memo to the President (present, past and future): if you think you can bury a crime against a young girl — whether fair or dark skinned - merely because you have power and prestige be aware that there are eyes on your crimes beyond the surveillance cameras. Unforgiving sisters, mothers, grandmothers and others like Rachael Carnes are watching, recording and will ultimately reveal your crime and tell her story. Read this and decide for yourself whether this is a ghost story or a domino dropping toward sweet revenge. Either way, this is a play that matters.

    Memo to the President (present, past and future): if you think you can bury a crime against a young girl — whether fair or dark skinned - merely because you have power and prestige be aware that there are eyes on your crimes beyond the surveillance cameras. Unforgiving sisters, mothers, grandmothers and others like Rachael Carnes are watching, recording and will ultimately reveal your crime and tell her story. Read this and decide for yourself whether this is a ghost story or a domino dropping toward sweet revenge. Either way, this is a play that matters.

    ”
  • Wayne L. Firestone: From the Deep by Cassie M. Seinuk
    “

    This tale of two captives is about symmetries and asymmetries and the deals we make with ourselves and others when we are desperate. The two men brought together through unrelated tragic circumstances, nonetheless prove hopeful allies to one another with the promise of paying it forward to others. This is high drama. I want to know why they are there, will they get out and what will they sacrifice as part of their struggle to survive.

    This tale of two captives is about symmetries and asymmetries and the deals we make with ourselves and others when we are desperate. The two men brought together through unrelated tragic circumstances, nonetheless prove hopeful allies to one another with the promise of paying it forward to others. This is high drama. I want to know why they are there, will they get out and what will they sacrifice as part of their struggle to survive.

    ”
  • Wayne L. Firestone: EIGHT NIGHTS by Jennifer Maisel
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    This is a testament to redemptive storytelling and the rich tapestry of refugee stories that dwell within their inhabitants and the homes that surround us. A haunted teenage refugee from Germany evolves during eight nights of Chanukah experienced over the next 70 years. Despite the successive traumas revealed each night, the play shares from unlikely friends and ghosts alike a hopeful message about how history need not simply repeat and we each have the potential to show empathy toward those marginalized and threatened around us. In the spirit of Chanukah, the play affirms the power of light...

    This is a testament to redemptive storytelling and the rich tapestry of refugee stories that dwell within their inhabitants and the homes that surround us. A haunted teenage refugee from Germany evolves during eight nights of Chanukah experienced over the next 70 years. Despite the successive traumas revealed each night, the play shares from unlikely friends and ghosts alike a hopeful message about how history need not simply repeat and we each have the potential to show empathy toward those marginalized and threatened around us. In the spirit of Chanukah, the play affirms the power of light over darkness.

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    ”