Recommended by Jillian Leff

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    This is the first Zoom play I've read that I've genuinely enjoyed and laughed out loud at. I also now know what "beat for the gods" means so it's educational too! :D

    This is the first Zoom play I've read that I've genuinely enjoyed and laughed out loud at. I also now know what "beat for the gods" means so it's educational too! :D

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    This play is fierce in all the ways - fiercely funny, fiercely feminist, and fiercely gory. I got to see the world premiere in Chicago and was really impressed. An examination of turning anger into power, and when it goes to far. Also of how many ways to kill awful men. I was the person giggling at every death. >D

    This play is fierce in all the ways - fiercely funny, fiercely feminist, and fiercely gory. I got to see the world premiere in Chicago and was really impressed. An examination of turning anger into power, and when it goes to far. Also of how many ways to kill awful men. I was the person giggling at every death. >D

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    This play really captures the complicated shitshow of being a girl in junior high. I also found myself laughing a surprising amount for a show with such dark themes. Overall, I really cared for these two girls by the end, especially Mo.

    This play really captures the complicated shitshow of being a girl in junior high. I also found myself laughing a surprising amount for a show with such dark themes. Overall, I really cared for these two girls by the end, especially Mo.

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    Monologue plays can be tricky, but Barr uses the form extremely well. Some of my favorite moments were when the sisters would coincidentally respond to each other, or when one would affirm or contradict what another one said. As an oldest sister of three myself, and as an artist who does not currently make a living that way, this play definitely hit home more than once.

    Monologue plays can be tricky, but Barr uses the form extremely well. Some of my favorite moments were when the sisters would coincidentally respond to each other, or when one would affirm or contradict what another one said. As an oldest sister of three myself, and as an artist who does not currently make a living that way, this play definitely hit home more than once.

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    What was most impressive to me in this historical cold case/courtroom drama is how accessible Wheaton-Werle makes it. He gives enough context and facts that we understand the history and patent law of it all, but it's the characters and their relationships that really make this play work. The play also sheds a critical eye on the systems (and people) that shape how history is written, and may make you leave the theater a conspiracy theorist.

    What was most impressive to me in this historical cold case/courtroom drama is how accessible Wheaton-Werle makes it. He gives enough context and facts that we understand the history and patent law of it all, but it's the characters and their relationships that really make this play work. The play also sheds a critical eye on the systems (and people) that shape how history is written, and may make you leave the theater a conspiracy theorist.

  • Jillian Leff: The Gradient by Steph Del Rosso
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    This play is reminiscent of a Black Mirror episode (the good ones!). We're thrown right into a world that even though it's removed from our own, it's 100% rooted in our current reality. Tech promises us easy solutions to tough problems, but humans are simply more complicated than any algorithm can predict, and this play nails that sentiment perfectly with messy, relatable characters who are confronted with large ideas and questions during their 9 to 5.

    This play is reminiscent of a Black Mirror episode (the good ones!). We're thrown right into a world that even though it's removed from our own, it's 100% rooted in our current reality. Tech promises us easy solutions to tough problems, but humans are simply more complicated than any algorithm can predict, and this play nails that sentiment perfectly with messy, relatable characters who are confronted with large ideas and questions during their 9 to 5.

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

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  • Jillian Leff: Isolated in the Light by Conor McShane
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    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.

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

    ”