Recommended by Jillian Leff

  • Jillian Leff: brother sister cyborg space by Paul Michael Thomson
    “

    I really enjoyed this - it's a strong character/relationship piece, full of quick-witted dialogue that makes you laugh and really invest in these people (and AI assistant). I also love when a play has me siding with different characters from moment to moment. Because another strong aspect of this play is that it's not afraid to wrestle with big questions about our planet and its future, as well as humanity's successes and failures.

    I really enjoyed this - it's a strong character/relationship piece, full of quick-witted dialogue that makes you laugh and really invest in these people (and AI assistant). I also love when a play has me siding with different characters from moment to moment. Because another strong aspect of this play is that it's not afraid to wrestle with big questions about our planet and its future, as well as humanity's successes and failures.

    ”
  • Jillian Leff: The Best Damn Thing by Hanna Kime
    “

    I have never felt so seen. This play accurately portrays the earnest cringe of being a teenage artist, the heartbreak of ex-best friends, and the nostalgia of the 2010s. The "show within a show" plot brings out some of the play's most laugh out loud moments, while the "reality" plot hit me right in the gut. This is such a well-crafted show that I would highly recommend to literally anyone.

    I have never felt so seen. This play accurately portrays the earnest cringe of being a teenage artist, the heartbreak of ex-best friends, and the nostalgia of the 2010s. The "show within a show" plot brings out some of the play's most laugh out loud moments, while the "reality" plot hit me right in the gut. This is such a well-crafted show that I would highly recommend to literally anyone.

    ”
  • Jillian Leff: Isolated in the Light by Conor McShane
    “

    The setup is original, the characters are all really dynamic, and the way the story moves back and forth through time is really effective. This play explores themes of fame, grief, and the music industry in a really fresh and engaging way.

    The setup is original, the characters are all really dynamic, and the way the story moves back and forth through time is really effective. This play explores themes of fame, grief, and the music industry in a really fresh and engaging way.

    ”
  • Jillian Leff: Think Fast, Jordan Chase! by Sonia Goldberg
    “

    Writing TYA is hard, and writing an audience participation play is hard. But this play does BOTH really successfully! It's diverse without tokenizing, and has a great message without being preachy. And quite simply, it's a ton of fun, no matter the age of the audience member.

    Writing TYA is hard, and writing an audience participation play is hard. But this play does BOTH really successfully! It's diverse without tokenizing, and has a great message without being preachy. And quite simply, it's a ton of fun, no matter the age of the audience member.

    ”
  • Jillian Leff: Rich B*tch by Rachel Lynett
    “

    Are these women bitches to each other? Absolutely. Did I laugh out loud at their biting and witty stand-offs? Also absolutely. These characters are messy, complicated, and real, which is where the true success of this script lies.

    Are these women bitches to each other? Absolutely. Did I laugh out loud at their biting and witty stand-offs? Also absolutely. These characters are messy, complicated, and real, which is where the true success of this script lies.

    ”
  • Jillian Leff: Marie Antionette and the Magical Negros by Terry Guest
    “

    I was able to catch The Story Theater's production in Chicago, and I was captivated the entire time. Guest weaves together multiple points in history (mainly the present and the French Revolution) to ask big questions about revolution, activism, and complicity (to name a few things). At the same time he keeps it fast-paced, entertaining, and highly theatrical. Definitely recommend!

    I was able to catch The Story Theater's production in Chicago, and I was captivated the entire time. Guest weaves together multiple points in history (mainly the present and the French Revolution) to ask big questions about revolution, activism, and complicity (to name a few things). At the same time he keeps it fast-paced, entertaining, and highly theatrical. Definitely recommend!

    ”
  • Jillian Leff: Birthright by David Lipschutz
    “

    This has got it all - camp, coming of age, and a Jewish demon vampire. I would be willing to spend more time on this story and with these characters for sure!

    This has got it all - camp, coming of age, and a Jewish demon vampire. I would be willing to spend more time on this story and with these characters for sure!

    ”
  • Jillian Leff: LATE NIGHT SNACK by Emma Goldman-Sherman
    “

    On the surface, we have a benign conversation about food. But right underneath is an unsettling exploration of boundaries and the power dynamic between parent and child.

    On the surface, we have a benign conversation about food. But right underneath is an unsettling exploration of boundaries and the power dynamic between parent and child.

    ”
  • Jillian Leff: An Apéritif [a 1-minute play] by Steven G. Martin
    “

    A perfect example of a one minute play - clear characters and story arc, and even a little bit of dark comedy.

    A perfect example of a one minute play - clear characters and story arc, and even a little bit of dark comedy.

    ”