Recommended by Bruce Karp

  • Bruce Karp: A FAVOUR

    Another well-written play by Mr. Smith that has more going on that meets the eye. You will be quite shocked by the ending. This is a story that will make you want to reach out to the elderly people closest to you to make sure they're not quietly suffering.

    Another well-written play by Mr. Smith that has more going on that meets the eye. You will be quite shocked by the ending. This is a story that will make you want to reach out to the elderly people closest to you to make sure they're not quietly suffering.

  • Bruce Karp: A BREAK

    A lovely play. Tense and terse dialogue will keep you unsure as to what is coming, and you will get a surprise twist at the end. Mr. Smith has taken a simple premise and created an emotionally full story. Well done!

    A lovely play. Tense and terse dialogue will keep you unsure as to what is coming, and you will get a surprise twist at the end. Mr. Smith has taken a simple premise and created an emotionally full story. Well done!

  • Bruce Karp: ME DIRECT

    Ms. Carnes has written a "let's put on a show" scenario that somehow reminds me of Waiting for Godot. Sharp, crisp, funny dialogue, on the madcap side, but ultimately, readers will understand the character's (and author's) love for theater and the need to collaborate to get it right.

    Ms. Carnes has written a "let's put on a show" scenario that somehow reminds me of Waiting for Godot. Sharp, crisp, funny dialogue, on the madcap side, but ultimately, readers will understand the character's (and author's) love for theater and the need to collaborate to get it right.

  • Bruce Karp: with the swallows

    A beautiful piece of work with layers of emotions presented in waves that will leave you holding on to your seat. The characters are all clearly drawn and beautifully express themselves throughout. Martinez has such imagination and the play's theatricality shines through.

    A beautiful piece of work with layers of emotions presented in waves that will leave you holding on to your seat. The characters are all clearly drawn and beautifully express themselves throughout. Martinez has such imagination and the play's theatricality shines through.

  • Bruce Karp: CORK FLOATS!

    Ms. Warfield's play is a delightful comedy filled with lines that "sizzle, rather than fizzle," to quote a line from the play (sort of). There's a lovely comic surprise and good roles for two older actors.

    Ms. Warfield's play is a delightful comedy filled with lines that "sizzle, rather than fizzle," to quote a line from the play (sort of). There's a lovely comic surprise and good roles for two older actors.

  • Bruce Karp: TOES TAPPING WILDLY, a 30 minute comedy for 12+ actors

    I wanted to read this play because Arianna has written some wonderful stories based on real people. In this play, she's painted a wonderful and visual story of the early days of Ginger Rogers, and it was shocking to learn she was kidnapped by her own father as a baby. The vivid stage directions paint a clear picture. Her imagery heightens the play's action. This play should be produced!

    I wanted to read this play because Arianna has written some wonderful stories based on real people. In this play, she's painted a wonderful and visual story of the early days of Ginger Rogers, and it was shocking to learn she was kidnapped by her own father as a baby. The vivid stage directions paint a clear picture. Her imagery heightens the play's action. This play should be produced!

  • Bruce Karp: Ice Box Cake and the Man from Lima (Short One-Woman Play)

    I want to recommend this monologue which is both funny and sad. The main character, Velma, a white woman in the 1950's South, allows all of her worst instincts and prejudices to show as she talks to a friend about cake, bunco and that dark-skinned man who's dating her neighbor. Some of Velma's statements are outrageous and funny, others are troublesome, to say the least. Recent developments tell us that while progress may have been made, we're not there yet. Baker's story exposes not only how life used to be, but how in many ways it still is. Worth reading!

    I want to recommend this monologue which is both funny and sad. The main character, Velma, a white woman in the 1950's South, allows all of her worst instincts and prejudices to show as she talks to a friend about cake, bunco and that dark-skinned man who's dating her neighbor. Some of Velma's statements are outrageous and funny, others are troublesome, to say the least. Recent developments tell us that while progress may have been made, we're not there yet. Baker's story exposes not only how life used to be, but how in many ways it still is. Worth reading!

  • Bruce Karp: SPARE ROOM ( a one-act play)

    This is a wonderful story, with terse dialogue and surprising twists. Ms. O'Neill-Butler is always effective in creating realistic characters and believable situations. Read it and, if you're in a position to produce it, I say "Go for it."

    This is a wonderful story, with terse dialogue and surprising twists. Ms. O'Neill-Butler is always effective in creating realistic characters and believable situations. Read it and, if you're in a position to produce it, I say "Go for it."

  • Bruce Karp: ZAHMA

    This is a very clever play by a writer who clearly loves wordplay. Fun, quite audience friendly, and deserves to be seen!

    This is a very clever play by a writer who clearly loves wordplay. Fun, quite audience friendly, and deserves to be seen!

  • Bruce Karp: Artifact

    A very interesting and unique premise for a play, "Artifact" is crisply written, tense, thanks to a good build-up, and ultimately satisfying, leaving us to wonder what happens after the lights fade...nicely done.

    A very interesting and unique premise for a play, "Artifact" is crisply written, tense, thanks to a good build-up, and ultimately satisfying, leaving us to wonder what happens after the lights fade...nicely done.