Recommended by Jan Probst

  • Apples & Awards
    5 Apr. 2024
    Apples & Awards has a lot of small town Americana flavor, baked into those apples pies. Right from the top the stakes are high and allegiances are set- or are they? Secrets are revealed, and subplots emerge, as we are rapidly propelled to a delightful, unpredictable ending.
  • Blood and Coal Dust
    12 Mar. 2024
    Two very different viewpoints of the same harrowing situation frame the tense back and forth between two men trapped where neither wants to be. As Mr. Jolly slowly and seamlessly unfolds the underpinnings of their situation, it feels a bit like the air they are trying to conserve. Breathe deeply, while you can.
  • After the War is Over
    12 Mar. 2024
    After wrapping myself into an adorably awkward conversation between two sweethearts meeting after a long separation, I was not prepared for what came next. Skillfully written, with a clear understanding of the effects of Alzheimers, on memory, on family, on our footing in the world, After the War is Over goes straight to the heart of it all. You may find yourself deep within your own sense of memory and place as Old Calvin begins to exit. And so it should be.
  • Cabana Boy
    4 Mar. 2024
    A lusciously entertaining play, with beautifully drawn characters. Cabana Boy offers a unique take on a summer romance first love, with subplots that drive the story deeper than you may at first suspect it could go. A gifted storyteller, Williams skillfully demonstrates just how insightful a poolside comedy can be.
  • Norwegians Pay Half Price
    4 Mar. 2024
    Who wouldn't want to peek into the aftermath of the disastrous exploits of the most well-known theatrical prince? What's up at Elsinore..? Find out with this little gem of a play. And watch out for that ending.
  • Is This All This Is
    19 Jul. 2023
    A tender family drama, nestled within the social and cultural mores of the present moment. The intriguing story is populated with beautifully imperfect people, bumping up against each other's needs, longings and differences. Osmundsen thoughtfully presents two very distinct autistic characters, each trying to find themselves and their place in a world that wants to define them. Illustrating the limitation and promise of familial love, IS THIS ALL THIS IS delivers both heartbreak and hope. I find myself wanting to know where each of these folks will be in ten years' time.
  • Worm Teeth
    18 Jul. 2023
    What a ride! Sullivan's gleefully energetic script drew me in with playful comedy, generously offered, and then line by line, character by character, scene by scene, invited me to examine myself, my world and those around me with a bit more care. Far more than just a modern fable, this brilliant script somehow becomes a parable for our time. Stage it!
  • The Bed Trick
    9 Jul. 2023
    THE BED TRICK lures you into a playfully comedic setup with the use of an old sexual trope. Or does it? What exactly are the stakes, and why do we find them so engaging? When the funny repartee is suddenly not so frivolous, we are quickly entwined - and perhaps complicit - in a heartbreakingly human story.
  • Simon Says
    9 Jul. 2023
    What an eerily engaging play. Moughon takes a familiar children's game and unpacks the dangers that lurk within the power of a simple phrase. Luring us in with the comedy of a pleasantly idiosyncratic setup, we have no idea what awaits. Bone-chilling and deftly written, this genuine horror play deserves a stage.
  • Cancer Is A Pain In My Ass
    27 Jun. 2023
    A hysterically funny, heartbreaking story, Pfizenmayer's brilliant use of humor in the face of tragedy allows us to dive deeply into this family-centered play. Where does one find calm amidst the chaos of a life-threatening diagnosis? What happens to your family when you realize you're standing on opposite sides of a very high fence? A beautifully written piece of dramatic art that reminds us of the vulnerability of being human.

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