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Steven G. Martin

Recommended by Steven G. Martin

  • GROWTH IN ISOLATION by Monica Cross
    2 Sep. 2020
    “ "Growth in Isolation" is absurd in the best ways possible.

    The story itself is strange, but familiar -- the ups and downs of modern romantic relationships. The dialogue offers opportunities for humor, anger, and heartbreak for the actors and moments for the audience to feel genuine empathy -- and give Monica Cross credit because neither character is a villain or a martyr.

    I watched a wonderful performance of "Growth in Isolation" by the Quarantine Players in September 2020. ”
  • A Godawful Small Affair by Hayley St. James
    30 Aug. 2020
    “ Hayley St. James has written a truly feel-good and heartwarming play of its time.

    We all crave connection and the COVID-19 pandemic has made it more difficult than usual to find and enjoy it. What makes "A Godawful Small Affair" even stronger than that is that the characters start off well, having what they need, but when the positive becomes mundane, that need to connect is still strong.

    Credit St. James. They have written well-rounded, humane characters; joyful, sex-positive scenarios ... and the ending seems like it was destined from the beginning. A lovely full-length play. ”
  • 4 Horses of the Apocalypse by Matthew Weaver
    29 Aug. 2020
    “ I enjoyed very much the online virtual performance of "4 Horses of the Apocalypse" by Stage Left Theater in Spokane, Washington, in August 2020.

    This is a highly intelligent and funny play, and very character based. The expectations the characters have about riding forth as part of the Apocalypse are even more emotional because of the COVID-19 pandemic. ”
  • How to Talk to Your Child About Satan by Daniel Prillaman
    29 Aug. 2020
    “ The humor comes like waves in "How to Talk to Your Child About Satan" -- a cast of characters who run to extremes, a scary situation that turns quite domestic and a little embarrassing, and dialogue filled with a ton of irony.

    Fun characters, fun dialogue, fun scenario -- Prillaman's written a winning comedy. ”
  • The War on Christmas (and Other Bullshit) by Megan Ann Jacobs
    29 Aug. 2020
    “ I greatly enjoyed an online workshop reading of Jacobs' short comedy in earlier in August 2020.

    Jacobs has nicely focused her characters so they are truly awful people who do nothing but get on one another's nerves. One-dimensional jerks = perfect for comedy. And the youngest character, Justice, just slices through their arguments, rigmarole and, yes, bullshit with a rants a plenty.

    A satisfying comedy that would please a lot of audiences. ”
  • If a Tree Falls by Kyle Smith
    27 Aug. 2020
    “ I love "If a Tree Falls." It's dark, intense, emotionally satisfying, the setting affects the story, and it's filled with power plays, mystery, lots of atmosphere, and a good deal of action -- and ultimately, inaction -- to highlight character. Give Kyle Smith a lot of credit for crafting this tense drama. ”
  • Masking Our Blackness by Vincent Terrell Durham
    26 Aug. 2020
    “ "Making Our Blackness" is satire at its best. Unforgettable. Shocking. Theatrical. Angry. This play has teeth and it's coming for the throat of contemporary America. ”
  • Submerged by Mildred Inez Lewis
    26 Aug. 2020
    “ Mildred Lewis' short play "Submerged" offers a glimmer of hope, of personal connection during a hellacious "What if?" scenario: living during the final, dying embers of humanity, of civilization.

    Lewis makes good use of virtual communication technology -- and its limitations. Even better, Lewis writes strong characters with needs and fears and wants and flaws. "Submerged" would be wonderful to see a performance. ”
  • Squirrel Safety by Benji Carr
    26 Aug. 2020
    “ This is how to have some fun with an audience prior to a show. Immersive, a bit interactive, silly (you had me at "French-accented," Benjamin Carr!), and also serious. This monologue would be so much fun for a comic actor, and would be unforgettable for audiences. ”
  • When in the Course of Human Events... (Playing on the Periphery #7) by Scott Sickles
    26 Aug. 2020
    “ This one-act play may be the very definition of unadulterated joy.

    Scott Sickles has created a world in which his four young protagonists can play without any shadows of others' expectations. And it's beautiful to watch, and it conjures a bit of nostalgia for those of us who may have wanted such a world for ourselves at age eight.

    It's also quite funny, as eight-year-old logic and experience are in charge. And it's blissfully earnest, too, as these children don't need to hide anything from one another.

    Pure unadulterated joy. ”

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