Recommended by Robert Weibezahl

  • Sapio’s subtle two-hander will speak to anyone of a certain age, not only because of its nostalgic, hit-the-bull’s-eye cultural references, but even more so because of the universality of its situation and the emotional truths that grow from it. As Milo and Glen pay tribute to their departed friend’s memory with drink and the bluster of glory days, they try to keep things light - on the surface at least. But it’s what lurks beneath that boozy surface that matters here. Bravo!

    Sapio’s subtle two-hander will speak to anyone of a certain age, not only because of its nostalgic, hit-the-bull’s-eye cultural references, but even more so because of the universality of its situation and the emotional truths that grow from it. As Milo and Glen pay tribute to their departed friend’s memory with drink and the bluster of glory days, they try to keep things light - on the surface at least. But it’s what lurks beneath that boozy surface that matters here. Bravo!

  • Days after seeing New Art City’s superb reading of TESSERACT, I'm still parsing the layers and textures of Sickle’s haunting play. Few plays capture the zeitgeist like this dystopian thriller … or have its keen sense of urgency. It perfectly captures our individual and collective anxieties during the stressful and often hateful times we find ourselves navigating. TESSERACT needs to be produced NOW, not later, and the theater that dares to take it on deserves all the kudos it will receive.

    Days after seeing New Art City’s superb reading of TESSERACT, I'm still parsing the layers and textures of Sickle’s haunting play. Few plays capture the zeitgeist like this dystopian thriller … or have its keen sense of urgency. It perfectly captures our individual and collective anxieties during the stressful and often hateful times we find ourselves navigating. TESSERACT needs to be produced NOW, not later, and the theater that dares to take it on deserves all the kudos it will receive.

  • With perfect Pinteresque pacing, O’Neill-Butler slithers into a glacial marriage, exposing it for what it really is. ONE PHONE CALL has the requisite plot twists of a well-made 10-minute play, but the real story is found between the deftly-crafted lines of dialogue. Audiences will be discussing this disquieting two-hander long after the closing coup de grace.

    With perfect Pinteresque pacing, O’Neill-Butler slithers into a glacial marriage, exposing it for what it really is. ONE PHONE CALL has the requisite plot twists of a well-made 10-minute play, but the real story is found between the deftly-crafted lines of dialogue. Audiences will be discussing this disquieting two-hander long after the closing coup de grace.

  • This short play tackles a number of the everyday dilemmas many face in our fractured, changing age with a surprisingly light and effective touch. Its message of love grows organically out of the sharp humor and delightful characterizations, winning us over through its sheer humanity.

    This short play tackles a number of the everyday dilemmas many face in our fractured, changing age with a surprisingly light and effective touch. Its message of love grows organically out of the sharp humor and delightful characterizations, winning us over through its sheer humanity.

  • A charming and touching “meet cute.” No playwright is better at imbuing quirky objects with deep significance than Arianna Rose, and ALL THE PEZ is no exception.

    A charming and touching “meet cute.” No playwright is better at imbuing quirky objects with deep significance than Arianna Rose, and ALL THE PEZ is no exception.

  • Robert Weibezahl: I WAS A CAT (a three and a half minute monologue)

    A beautifully rendered monologue, filled with twists, that builds with palpable tension. O’Neill-Butler wonderfully captures the boundless innocence and lurking menace of youth through this evocative recollection.

    A beautifully rendered monologue, filled with twists, that builds with palpable tension. O’Neill-Butler wonderfully captures the boundless innocence and lurking menace of youth through this evocative recollection.

  • Robert Weibezahl: Brains

    A zombie’s diet is not, er ... well-balanced. Why do they only eat brains? You’ll have to read Baughfman’s hilarious one-minute play to find out.

    A zombie’s diet is not, er ... well-balanced. Why do they only eat brains? You’ll have to read Baughfman’s hilarious one-minute play to find out.

  • Robert Weibezahl: Big Beautiful Bill

    This fast and furious ten-minute play uses the tropes of classic sex comedies to drop the hammer on the rampant hypocrisy in Washington, particularly among the moralizing right. As a congressional vote to overturn same-sex marriage plays out in the boudoir of a Lady G-esque Southern senator, the sharp satire sometimes reads – unfortunately for our nation! – as cinema verité. Frenetic and funny, BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL gives new meaning to “gag order.”

    This fast and furious ten-minute play uses the tropes of classic sex comedies to drop the hammer on the rampant hypocrisy in Washington, particularly among the moralizing right. As a congressional vote to overturn same-sex marriage plays out in the boudoir of a Lady G-esque Southern senator, the sharp satire sometimes reads – unfortunately for our nation! – as cinema verité. Frenetic and funny, BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL gives new meaning to “gag order.”

  • Robert Weibezahl: UNEVEN SIDES OF A TRIANGLE (a full-length play)

    A tender and fierce three-hander that explores the cost of creating "families" out of our fundamental need to connect. The well-developed characters are unvarnished and nuanced, imperfect and unforgettable.

    A tender and fierce three-hander that explores the cost of creating "families" out of our fundamental need to connect. The well-developed characters are unvarnished and nuanced, imperfect and unforgettable.

  • Robert Weibezahl: KEEPING SCORE (A 10-minute play)

    Another surefire crowd-pleaser from O'Neill-Butler, the uncontested queen of comic senior shorts. The ironically-named Grace is a part older female actors will be clamoring to play - a crusty anti-guardian angel, fed up with pathetic Chuck's antics and determined to protect the unsuspecting Molly from his arrested romantic fantasies. This one is going to "grace" a lot of 10-minute festivals.

    Another surefire crowd-pleaser from O'Neill-Butler, the uncontested queen of comic senior shorts. The ironically-named Grace is a part older female actors will be clamoring to play - a crusty anti-guardian angel, fed up with pathetic Chuck's antics and determined to protect the unsuspecting Molly from his arrested romantic fantasies. This one is going to "grace" a lot of 10-minute festivals.