Recommended by Bruce Karp

  • Bruce Karp: That Kiss

    A play about what might have been "That Kiss" provides a great and somewhat manic part for an actress who can portray a fast-talking, off-the-wall character. Well-written, the play holds your interest as the characters discuss their differing memories of an earlier event, leading to my favorite type of conclusion: one that leaves you wondering what would happen next. Well done.

    A play about what might have been "That Kiss" provides a great and somewhat manic part for an actress who can portray a fast-talking, off-the-wall character. Well-written, the play holds your interest as the characters discuss their differing memories of an earlier event, leading to my favorite type of conclusion: one that leaves you wondering what would happen next. Well done.

  • Bruce Karp: Big Date

    Wow, talk about a wild and hilarious ride! "Big Date" will give you a giddy feeling as you fall into the crazy world created by John Busser. Over the top, beautifully so, with crisp, funny, punny dialogue, this short play may drive the designers crazy, but it will delight the audience. I hope a theatre festival takes it on!

    Wow, talk about a wild and hilarious ride! "Big Date" will give you a giddy feeling as you fall into the crazy world created by John Busser. Over the top, beautifully so, with crisp, funny, punny dialogue, this short play may drive the designers crazy, but it will delight the audience. I hope a theatre festival takes it on!

  • Bruce Karp: DONNY OSMOND TURNED ME GAY

    This lovely and loving monologue is a tribute not only to a famous singing star, but also to resilience and being proud of who you are, no matter how long it may take to get there. I applaud Paul Smith's journey and the wonderful way he described his feelings, then and now.

    This lovely and loving monologue is a tribute not only to a famous singing star, but also to resilience and being proud of who you are, no matter how long it may take to get there. I applaud Paul Smith's journey and the wonderful way he described his feelings, then and now.

  • Bruce Karp: A First-Draft Second-Rate Love Story

    Like "Noises Off" but without the slamming doors, Mr. Busser has created a wacky and very entertaining story of a play-gone-wrong (or going wrong), and he has plotted out the confusion in a spectacular way, so that it is funny rather than confusing, as well it should be. This should be great fun for actors to perform and for audiences to see. I also see the play as a tribute to writers, who may dislike rewrites, but know we have to do them. We have to keep better track of the drafts than does Stuart, the playwright in the play.

    Like "Noises Off" but without the slamming doors, Mr. Busser has created a wacky and very entertaining story of a play-gone-wrong (or going wrong), and he has plotted out the confusion in a spectacular way, so that it is funny rather than confusing, as well it should be. This should be great fun for actors to perform and for audiences to see. I also see the play as a tribute to writers, who may dislike rewrites, but know we have to do them. We have to keep better track of the drafts than does Stuart, the playwright in the play.

  • Bruce Karp: The Actress - One Act Play

    What an excellent example of leading the audience on and then throwing in wonderful twists. Crisp writing, fun characters fully developed (not always seen in a short play) and the setting on the Staten Island Ferry was inspired. Mr. Kaminski has a real talent for writing mysterious situations. It seems this play has already made its mark and deservedly so.

    What an excellent example of leading the audience on and then throwing in wonderful twists. Crisp writing, fun characters fully developed (not always seen in a short play) and the setting on the Staten Island Ferry was inspired. Mr. Kaminski has a real talent for writing mysterious situations. It seems this play has already made its mark and deservedly so.

  • Bruce Karp: TINY, SECRET NOTES (a 10 minute play)

    I'm in constant awe of Marj's ability to quickly bring characters to life in her short plays. In this one, the wordplay between mother and daughter in a time of grieving is true to form, mixing tinges of sadness, comic relief and hope (and plans) for a happier future for both mother and daughter. You feel as if you know the characters and you want to hug them at the end and tell them everything's going to be all right.

    I'm in constant awe of Marj's ability to quickly bring characters to life in her short plays. In this one, the wordplay between mother and daughter in a time of grieving is true to form, mixing tinges of sadness, comic relief and hope (and plans) for a happier future for both mother and daughter. You feel as if you know the characters and you want to hug them at the end and tell them everything's going to be all right.

  • Bruce Karp: A Certain Pedigree

    This play is quite a delight and provides lessons to us all about camaraderie, acceptance and family. The characters could be dogs or humans and learn the proper lesson that inclusion is better. I really enjoyed Ms. Feeny-Williams' writing and the comic buildup leading to a satisfying ending.

    This play is quite a delight and provides lessons to us all about camaraderie, acceptance and family. The characters could be dogs or humans and learn the proper lesson that inclusion is better. I really enjoyed Ms. Feeny-Williams' writing and the comic buildup leading to a satisfying ending.

  • Bruce Karp: What's My Line?

    Writer Josephs takes us on a big emotional ride where a rambling Louis Untermeyer defends his many marriages (and life, in general) on a nationally televised game show. It's a chilling thought to imagine this type of thing actually happening, but it is wonderfully theatrical. Terrific imagery and a great role for the actor playing Louis. I also liked the product references throughout the show, presented matter-of-factly, as if the game was being played in its usual way. It confirms that Louis was a complicated person. Well done!

    Writer Josephs takes us on a big emotional ride where a rambling Louis Untermeyer defends his many marriages (and life, in general) on a nationally televised game show. It's a chilling thought to imagine this type of thing actually happening, but it is wonderfully theatrical. Terrific imagery and a great role for the actor playing Louis. I also liked the product references throughout the show, presented matter-of-factly, as if the game was being played in its usual way. It confirms that Louis was a complicated person. Well done!

  • Bruce Karp: Etched in Stone

    This is a lovely, emotion-filled play about many things - life, death, guilt, caviar and margaritas - among others. Cleverly constructed and executed, we easily fall for Fanny and Peter in their present and past incarnations. Their emotions and stories feel real, with wry humor infiltrating throughout. Very enjoyable and moving.

    I also must add that my song of choice, should there be a memorial after I go, is the same as the song that ends this heartfelt play.

    This is a lovely, emotion-filled play about many things - life, death, guilt, caviar and margaritas - among others. Cleverly constructed and executed, we easily fall for Fanny and Peter in their present and past incarnations. Their emotions and stories feel real, with wry humor infiltrating throughout. Very enjoyable and moving.

    I also must add that my song of choice, should there be a memorial after I go, is the same as the song that ends this heartfelt play.

  • Bruce Karp: A Conversation About Mom

    A strong play with a painful but necessary conversation between father and son. There's an unexpected twist at the end that provides hope for reconciliation. Very well-written and believable. Well done!

    A strong play with a painful but necessary conversation between father and son. There's an unexpected twist at the end that provides hope for reconciliation. Very well-written and believable. Well done!