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Steven G. Martin

Recommended by Steven G. Martin

  • Chalk by Inda Craig-Galván
    29 Jul. 2020
    “ Inda Craig-Galván knows some things are impossible to say. But Craig-Galván provides Monique and David with other ways to communicate, other ways for an audience to infer their story, their conflict. This short play is very emotional and very honest, and your audiences will embrace it. ”
  • The Waves by Cayson Miles
    28 Jul. 2020
    “ Theatrical, experimental, unrelenting, understated, and beautiful.

    There is such confidence in how Cayson Miles has written "The Waves," in how the spoken -- yet often ignored -- stage directions inform character. Elegant and simple. ”
  • The Elusive Pursuit of Maximum Bliss by Ken Preuss
    28 Jul. 2020
    “ Preuss has woven science fiction, romance, and a bit of philosophy into a lovely, easily producible 10-minute play.

    "The Elusive Pursuit of Maximum Bliss" engages an audience's imagination to fill in the blanks when the technology is utilized and to notice the subtle hints that Preuss lays out in the dialogue and action. ”
  • A Is For American by Lucy Wang
    27 Jul. 2020
    “ A little sass and a whole lot of anger in a few pages.

    Wang's monologue comically and proudly shows how to cope when bigoted assholes question your existence. You either beat them at their own game by being more like them than they expect, you distract them and run away to fight another day, or you fight.

    I watched and enjoyed Barkada Theater's video production of "A is for American" on Facebook. ”
  • Persephone by Scott Sickles
    19 Jul. 2020
    “ A comic one-act play that begins with the most idealistic, beautiful, mother-daughter reconciliation and reunion ever ... then goes downhill from there. Fast.

    The idealistic suddenly becomes realistic, as the characters turn to power plays, secrets, accusations, and judgments. It's a domestic drama situation that -- as with his "The Greater and Lesser Edmunds of the World" -- Sickles spins into the most wonderful melodrama, with a spotlight on the melodic part because the dialogue sings. Such quotable dialogue! ”
  • My Life Has Been a Preparation by Larry Rinkel
    19 Jul. 2020
    “ Ultimately, a feel-good play set against a lifetime of being alone, underappreciated, and ignored.

    Rinkel includes so many rich details in laying out his protagonist's life, it feels that much more real because of it. And there are so many parts of the protagonist's life from youth to age 70 that we see the impact one moment has on others. We feel so intensely for the character because of how much Larry Rinkel provides us in just a few minutes. ”
  • Crazy Quilts by Karen Fix Curry
    18 Jul. 2020
    “ Horror with a polite smile, dark comedy with a cup of tea.

    Praise Karen Fix Curry for her skill; for her trust that an audience will pick up on clues, innuendos, and implications; for advancing the story and showing character through action and visuals.

    "Crazy Quilts" is shiver inducing, and your audience will remember it long after a performance. ”
  • Stick and Move by Greg Lam
    18 Jul. 2020
    “ This feel-good romantic comedy has a terrific concept at its core, strong banter, and a nice sense of irony.

    Credit Lam for not just stopping at a wonderful premise for this play. More detail and complexity is added after the initial reveal, and then doubled up prior to the climax. It's really wonderful writing that any audience will enjoy. And then, just before the end, comes the perfect coda to this story.

    "Stick and Move" has a strong, varied production history, and it is well deserved. ”
  • Black, White, & Red All Over by Daniel Prillaman
    17 Jul. 2020
    “ This 10-minute comedy is a chaotic conversation of worldly, self-aware, yet also innocent characters.

    You like Abbott & Costello-like bits? You've got 'em in here. Characters who share knowledge like third graders during lunch? Yep. A wildly out-of-left-field proposition? Uh-huh. Just trust Prillaman's skills and enjoy the ride of "Black, White, & Red All Over." ”
  • The New Comet by Gary Sunshine
    17 Jul. 2020
    “ This short comedy is the stuff of LGBTQ and community theater nightmares. And it's hilarious.

    While the central character is stable and sane, the supporting characters are so ridiculous, over-the-top, and extra, they're practically Disney animated villains. What audiences hear and watch during a production of "The New Comet" is so outrageous that their ears and eyes may bleed as their faces cringe.

    Very funny, yes, and a very pointed take on LGBTQ culture and being too old in certain people's eyes. Yet, Gary Sunshine provides a bit of joy with a single stage direction of action at the end. ”

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