Recommended by Tony Tambasco

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    Well written, thoughtful, genuinely affecting, and with a beautiful symmetry in its plot, Second Hand Gods explores finding hope in hopelessness, the things that hold us back, and the things that move us forward. I also enjoyed that the play doesn't over-explain the characters, and allows for interpretive breathing room around the events of the narrative.

    Well written, thoughtful, genuinely affecting, and with a beautiful symmetry in its plot, Second Hand Gods explores finding hope in hopelessness, the things that hold us back, and the things that move us forward. I also enjoyed that the play doesn't over-explain the characters, and allows for interpretive breathing room around the events of the narrative.

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    "Can't rewrite the truth just because it hurts" -- this play was brief, but mighty, and it packs a strong punch. I hope I get to direct it some day.

    "Can't rewrite the truth just because it hurts" -- this play was brief, but mighty, and it packs a strong punch. I hope I get to direct it some day.

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    A character driven drama with comic notes that would be a fine vehicle for three actors who can sustain a show and bring honest vulnerability to the roles. The setup is familiar, but the climax offers enough surprises to intensify the action as the play moves to its conclusion.

    A character driven drama with comic notes that would be a fine vehicle for three actors who can sustain a show and bring honest vulnerability to the roles. The setup is familiar, but the climax offers enough surprises to intensify the action as the play moves to its conclusion.

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    attention grabbing and humorous dialogue between characters paves the way to an examination of how little we know ourselves, our neighbors, and our society. Though developed pre-pandemic, Safety speaks to the anxieties of that era, and the realities of well meaning people who have no idea what is going on, and not nearly as much control over their own lives as they like to believe.

    attention grabbing and humorous dialogue between characters paves the way to an examination of how little we know ourselves, our neighbors, and our society. Though developed pre-pandemic, Safety speaks to the anxieties of that era, and the realities of well meaning people who have no idea what is going on, and not nearly as much control over their own lives as they like to believe.

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    Davidson quickly creates a sense of a strong bond between these characters, and early in the second act introduces a conflict between them reflective of the stresses of the pandemic in a way that really grabbed my attention. The script also had me doubting what was real within the world of the play in a way that connects with some of its themes of virtual experience.

    Davidson quickly creates a sense of a strong bond between these characters, and early in the second act introduces a conflict between them reflective of the stresses of the pandemic in a way that really grabbed my attention. The script also had me doubting what was real within the world of the play in a way that connects with some of its themes of virtual experience.

  • Tony Tambasco: The Rooster's Tale by Paula Fell
    “

    This was delightful, irreverent satire of the medieval period.

    This was delightful, irreverent satire of the medieval period.

    ”
  • Tony Tambasco: Shelter In Place by Eric Coble
    “

    Eric Coble's Shelter in Place begins with a bang, and the first half is a compelling tug of war between two characters who are trying to figure out who the other is without revealing too much of themselves.

    Eric Coble's Shelter in Place begins with a bang, and the first half is a compelling tug of war between two characters who are trying to figure out who the other is without revealing too much of themselves.

    ”
  • Tony Tambasco: Friar with a Crowbar by Tom Moran
    “

    "Friar with a Crowbar" is a charming and delightful mashup of several of Shakespeare's plays.

    "Friar with a Crowbar" is a charming and delightful mashup of several of Shakespeare's plays.

    ”
  • Tony Tambasco: Yolk. by Alaina Messineo
    “

    The use of poetic forms in Yolk allows for some great opportunities to explore silences, and the dream-like nature of the narrative allows for a great range of interpretive possibilities in a short piece.

    The use of poetic forms in Yolk allows for some great opportunities to explore silences, and the dream-like nature of the narrative allows for a great range of interpretive possibilities in a short piece.

    ”
  • Tony Tambasco: Noir Hamlet by John Minigan
    “

    Noir Hamlet is an intelligent and charming mashup of Shakespeare and film noir with loads of comic potential. John Minigan's script takes on a life of its own, beyond the tropes it plays with, and serves as a funny yet insightful pairing of these two genres. Despite the name, Minigan draws from Shakespeare's ideas beyond Hamlet for his script, and uses the language of film noir to deliver a sardonic punch. And there is real mystery here, right up through the last beat.

    Noir Hamlet is an intelligent and charming mashup of Shakespeare and film noir with loads of comic potential. John Minigan's script takes on a life of its own, beyond the tropes it plays with, and serves as a funny yet insightful pairing of these two genres. Despite the name, Minigan draws from Shakespeare's ideas beyond Hamlet for his script, and uses the language of film noir to deliver a sardonic punch. And there is real mystery here, right up through the last beat.

    ”