Recommended by Steven G. Martin

  • Steven G. Martin: I Don't DO Holidays by Daniel Prillaman
    “

    Well, that escalated at the speed of sound. Daniel Prillaman's humor is generous and broad at first -- parodies of movies and history/culture -- then turns dark and sharp, like a steel-bladed knife. You needn't hate holidays to love "I Don't DO Holidays," but remember to duck.

    Well, that escalated at the speed of sound. Daniel Prillaman's humor is generous and broad at first -- parodies of movies and history/culture -- then turns dark and sharp, like a steel-bladed knife. You needn't hate holidays to love "I Don't DO Holidays," but remember to duck.

    ”
  • Steven G. Martin: The Melatonin Miners by Philip Middleton Williams
    “

    Mistakes were made and a wacky dream sequence ensues. Philip Middleton Williams charms the audience in this short comedy that features Ludwig van Beethoven, W.C. Fields, and Carl Reiner as characters.

    Mistakes were made and a wacky dream sequence ensues. Philip Middleton Williams charms the audience in this short comedy that features Ludwig van Beethoven, W.C. Fields, and Carl Reiner as characters.

    ”
  • Steven G. Martin: Elves on Strike by Matthew Weaver
    “

    There's a chaotic glee to this short comedy as the titular elves rat out the fiction of Elf on the Shelf and the empire it has launched. I can only imagine the real-world family dynamics the play will spawn when audiences return home and children and parents are forced to acknowledge the truth.

    Plus, there are lots of other comic details including the setting and the self-deprecation, the character names, and the picketing sign backstories. Fun work by Matthew Weaver.

    There's a chaotic glee to this short comedy as the titular elves rat out the fiction of Elf on the Shelf and the empire it has launched. I can only imagine the real-world family dynamics the play will spawn when audiences return home and children and parents are forced to acknowledge the truth.

    Plus, there are lots of other comic details including the setting and the self-deprecation, the character names, and the picketing sign backstories. Fun work by Matthew Weaver.

    ”
  • Steven G. Martin: An Angel Comes to Brooklyn by Hilary Bluestein-Lyons
    “

    A sweet romantic comedy with an unusual scenario and characters whom audiences will root for. Very nice work from Hilary Bluestein-Lyons.

    A sweet romantic comedy with an unusual scenario and characters whom audiences will root for. Very nice work from Hilary Bluestein-Lyons.

    ”
  • Steven G. Martin: Sometimes, When It’s Night, I Run Through the Neighborhood Naked and No One’s Caught Me Yet by DC Cathro
    “

    No one is just one thing, and DC Cathro explores that theme in his plays better than almost anyone. Cathro knows audiences will have preconceived notions about Warren and Danielle; they even have preconceived notions about one another. But through Cathro's exceptional dialogue and character building, audiences see, we see, Warren and Danielle are more than one thing, that our judgements are too hasty and too harsh. And our empathy grows, which is one thing I love about storytelling.

    No one is just one thing, and DC Cathro explores that theme in his plays better than almost anyone. Cathro knows audiences will have preconceived notions about Warren and Danielle; they even have preconceived notions about one another. But through Cathro's exceptional dialogue and character building, audiences see, we see, Warren and Danielle are more than one thing, that our judgements are too hasty and too harsh. And our empathy grows, which is one thing I love about storytelling.

    ”
  • Steven G. Martin: White Cotton, Black Light by Sam Heyman
    “

    Come for the gay sex, stay for the emotional vulnerability and intimacy in Sam Heyman's excellent character study/romantic drama.

    Come for the gay sex, stay for the emotional vulnerability and intimacy in Sam Heyman's excellent character study/romantic drama.

    ”
  • Steven G. Martin: That Wasn't Mistletoe (from HOW MY PRINCE CHARMING TURNED OUT TO BE A FROG) by Nora Louise Syran
    “

    Nora Louise Syran beautifully creates an atmosphere filled with international romance, language, and holiday joy. You'll want a sip of eggnog and a cuddle while reading "That Wasn't Mistletoe."

    Nora Louise Syran beautifully creates an atmosphere filled with international romance, language, and holiday joy. You'll want a sip of eggnog and a cuddle while reading "That Wasn't Mistletoe."

    ”
  • Steven G. Martin: Gown by Robert Weibezahl
    “

    "Gown" is a genuine tearjerker that takes its time to reveal the truth behind what seems an everyday scenario. Robert Weibezahl's short drama was one of my favorite plays in the 2023 MadLab Roulette festival in Columbus, Ohio.

    "Gown" is a genuine tearjerker that takes its time to reveal the truth behind what seems an everyday scenario. Robert Weibezahl's short drama was one of my favorite plays in the 2023 MadLab Roulette festival in Columbus, Ohio.

    ”
  • Steven G. Martin: THE BEGINNING OF EVERYTHING by Monica Cross
    “

    I love this play. Fantastic, epic science fiction told at the most intimate scale by Monica Cross.

    I love this play. Fantastic, epic science fiction told at the most intimate scale by Monica Cross.

    ”
  • Steven G. Martin: Imaginary You (Bascom & Isaac #3) by Scott Sickles
    “

    No one dramatizes intimacy -- physical, emotional, intellectual -- between characters like Scott Sickles. The realities in "Imaginary You (Bascom & Isaac #3)" feel like unexplored territory in theatre, and I'm glad Scott is helping audiences navigate it.

    No one dramatizes intimacy -- physical, emotional, intellectual -- between characters like Scott Sickles. The realities in "Imaginary You (Bascom & Isaac #3)" feel like unexplored territory in theatre, and I'm glad Scott is helping audiences navigate it.

    ”