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Scott Sickles

Recommended by Scott Sickles

  • Poop, a one minute play for radio by Stuart Hoffman
    19 Jun. 2022
    “ I’M NUMBER TWO!!!

    I’m so glad Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend recommended this first so I could be second!

    Delightfully silly from the word go and it just gets bigger and better the more the story squeezes out. There’s even a great big splat of an ending!

    GO POOP!!! ”
  • The Rotary Phone by Andrew Martineau
    19 Jun. 2022
    “ The opening stage direction had me GUFFAWING!!! I didn't read the description so if you have, your mileage might vary, but even so, the guffaws DO NOT STOP!

    If you've ever seen videos of today's kids attempting to use rotary phones, this will be especially funny. But it's wonderful regardless! Martineau has created delightful characters, not a mean spirit among them, while subtly building their world through banter. What could have been a sketch turns into a grand adventure. Laughs and surprises abound.

    The best part: in Martineau's future, doughnuts are still a thing! ”
  • Knock Over the Milk Bottles - Win A Prize! by Dana Hall
    19 Jun. 2022
    “ A weighty treatise on identity and ethics as three pawns in a longstanding con game come to grips with the spiritual cost of doing business. In one furious minute, innocence is lost to self-awareness as the big picture of our protagonist's life reveals itself to be infinitely vast and dark. Yet, Hall instills this inanimate object with agency and agony, inspiring them to call upon their comrades, already resigned to their roles in this deception, reminding the audience that they too can give way to their better angels and change the outcome. An existential triumph! ”
  • Azathoth Solves All Your Problems For You by Sawyer Quinn Brown
    19 Jun. 2022
    “ Usually, it's better if the characters want something. However... not knowing what they wants, or even what wanting is, can lead to great comic banter and even some metaphysical pondering.

    If you've ever known someone who (generally because of their upbringing) didn't know they could want things of their own, Azathoth's dilemma is especially moving, and watching him discover his wants is thrilling!

    Meanwhile, Gina's need to serve chaos in the wake of personal turmoil, bad time management, and a serious lack of sleep results in a some terrible decisions and lots of laughs.

    A great case for virtual theater! ”
  • (SHORT DUMBSHOW:) The Train by Irene L. Pynn
    19 Jun. 2022
    “ SHAMELESS!

    In the BEST WAY!

    Pynn perfectly captures the urban malaise of the subway commute! She also defies anyone who might dare to tell her that you can't describe thoughts in stage directions. (Hell, if Beckett can tell us "Gogo misses Didi"...) Playwright and play exhibit a thorough trust of their actors, director, and especially their sound designer.

    This would be fascinating to stage, thrilling to perform, and enchanting to watch. And its flagrant romanticism was a balm for my weary soul!

    It almost makes me want to ride the subway!

    Almost...

    Brava! ”
  • Jupiter by Marsha Roberts
    19 Jun. 2022
    “ As a chubby guy, I have been Zack. I have lived on other planets, and my thoughts and affections have been lost in translation with earthlings of more acceptable sizes. I know the creak of that bench.

    Roberts gorgeously mingles direct address with dialogue, bringing Zack's lifelong and immediate struggles into sharp relief. He is socially awkward (how could he learn graces when others are so graceless to him?); infatuated with someone beautiful, cruel, and not above using him; yet still has a hapless dignity and hope.

    Yes, I too am a citizen of Jupiter. All hail, Zack! ”
  • Jeez, A whole minute! (from 1 minute shorts) by David Patton
    19 Jun. 2022
    “ Fuckin' men...! Men fuckin'... Either way you look at it, the male ego is especially disaster prone when it comes to sex. Patton's junior Lothario sadly represents many of his ilk, and the silver lining is that at least it was over quickly. The monologue itself pays off for everybody!

    ”
  • This is the 74th Cover Letter I've Written this Month Please for the Love of God Hire ME by Cole Hunter Dzubak
    17 Jun. 2022
    “ BEEN THERE! Terrified of being there again...

    Dzubak perfectly captures the emotional and spiritual repetitive stress injury that is the job search: the putting your most personal, individual self forward to impress or be spurned by a faceless soulless corporate structure.

    There’s a sad sense of competition between these candidates as we see why each deserves to succeed. Dzubak pays special attention to Erin, the mom returning to the work force: her transferable skills that will likely be dismissed out of prejudice. It’s a terrific theatrical indictment of the state of the labor market. ”
  • Fork and Spoon (from the THE WRINKLE RANCH AND OTHER PLAYS ABOUT GROWING OLD collection) by Debra A. Cole
    17 Jun. 2022
    “ Oh the groaners!!! The bad/dad jokes remind me of a surrogate father of mine. Even awful humor can bridge a gap, especially if it’s top-tier terrible! Cole has given us a simple moment of connection, elevated it with excellent character choices, and takes us exactly where we need to go: toward pancakes with a pal! ”
  • Angel Flight by Joe Swenson
    16 Jun. 2022
    “ Understated yet powerful, this is an unsentimental meditation on grief and a beautifully observed look at how the military handles death and family.

    The two lead roles are uncompromising in that Swenson doesn’t force us to like or sympathize with them. Rather, he trusts both his characters and his audience to go along the journey with them. The smaller roles have substance as well, leading gravity to an emotional crisis in the air.

    Moving, cathartic, and surprising. ”

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