Recommended by Bridget O'Leary

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    This is a reclamation of mythology that empowers its heroines. The play asks a question of fate vs. choice – are we doomed to repeat patterns and story tropes regardless of time period? Or is there something we can do to reclaim our narratives and take control of our voices? There is an infuriating “nowness” to this play that makes it potent. The lens that Brandii tells this story has mythological, almost cautionary fairy-tale quality about it that makes it feel playful, but it is still puts forth a difficult examination of what it means to be a woman.

    This is a reclamation of mythology that empowers its heroines. The play asks a question of fate vs. choice – are we doomed to repeat patterns and story tropes regardless of time period? Or is there something we can do to reclaim our narratives and take control of our voices? There is an infuriating “nowness” to this play that makes it potent. The lens that Brandii tells this story has mythological, almost cautionary fairy-tale quality about it that makes it feel playful, but it is still puts forth a difficult examination of what it means to be a woman.

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    This play is a stunning investigation of the sacrifices that we made to start a life in this country and the impossibility of ever really leaving your old life behind. It is funny, witty, clever and at times heart breaking. The set-up of putting this play inside of Long Day's Journey Into Night works extremely well. This is very easily producible 3-hander. I have seen it 2 times now - once over-the-top realistic and the other stripped down, both work for the piece.

    This play is a stunning investigation of the sacrifices that we made to start a life in this country and the impossibility of ever really leaving your old life behind. It is funny, witty, clever and at times heart breaking. The set-up of putting this play inside of Long Day's Journey Into Night works extremely well. This is very easily producible 3-hander. I have seen it 2 times now - once over-the-top realistic and the other stripped down, both work for the piece.

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    This play was developed through the Next Voices Fellowship program at New Repertory Theatre. It is a very hard hitting look at how we shape our own narratives and what drives us to do the unthinkable. The play is fast moving and hard hitting. Deirdre does an excellent job of allowing the story to unfold without the audience getting ahead of it. It is highly theatrical in how it weaves the past and the present. It has incredibly strong roles for women.

    This play was developed through the Next Voices Fellowship program at New Repertory Theatre. It is a very hard hitting look at how we shape our own narratives and what drives us to do the unthinkable. The play is fast moving and hard hitting. Deirdre does an excellent job of allowing the story to unfold without the audience getting ahead of it. It is highly theatrical in how it weaves the past and the present. It has incredibly strong roles for women.

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    This is such a lovely play about strong women bonding together to find themselves in a new phase in their lives. The relationships are strong. The play moves effortlessly forward. I also think it is a great piece for any company that has connections to talented actresses over the age of 50, a demographic we don't often see represented. The play is complex and doesn't shy away from some of the darker truths the women face, but at its heart, it is funny and touching.

    This is such a lovely play about strong women bonding together to find themselves in a new phase in their lives. The relationships are strong. The play moves effortlessly forward. I also think it is a great piece for any company that has connections to talented actresses over the age of 50, a demographic we don't often see represented. The play is complex and doesn't shy away from some of the darker truths the women face, but at its heart, it is funny and touching.

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    This play was developed as part of New Repertory Theatre's Next Voices program. It is a beautiful, complex look at the pursuit of happiness and the things that get in the way from us being who we want to be. The play is both heart breaking and very funny. I love the use of the "greek chorus" throughout the play. Cassie is a terrific writer who investigates inner demons, fear and identity. This play encompasses all of those things.

    This play was developed as part of New Repertory Theatre's Next Voices program. It is a beautiful, complex look at the pursuit of happiness and the things that get in the way from us being who we want to be. The play is both heart breaking and very funny. I love the use of the "greek chorus" throughout the play. Cassie is a terrific writer who investigates inner demons, fear and identity. This play encompasses all of those things.

  • Bridget O'Leary: Losers, or The Launch Prize by MJ Halberstadt
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    I highly recommend this play. It is a sharp, witty, intense conversation about race and the arts (with a clever device used to tell the full story). As an artist who is constantly trapped in conversations about race/gender when discussing commission prizes or invitations to development process, this play felt incredibly relevant. This play presents an unexpected way into the conversation about how race impacts our relationships and how we interact with one another. I saw a production of it and it plays very well. It is a new/fresh approach to a much needed dialogue.

    I highly recommend this play. It is a sharp, witty, intense conversation about race and the arts (with a clever device used to tell the full story). As an artist who is constantly trapped in conversations about race/gender when discussing commission prizes or invitations to development process, this play felt incredibly relevant. This play presents an unexpected way into the conversation about how race impacts our relationships and how we interact with one another. I saw a production of it and it plays very well. It is a new/fresh approach to a much needed dialogue.

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  • Bridget O'Leary: The Salt Girl by John Kuntz
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    This is a beautiful, funny, stark coming of age story that explores loss, sexuality, identity and family relationships. There is a strong sense of nostalgia, and a primal quality to the story telling. Quint tries to reconcile his youth while coming to terms with the impending death of his father, the memory of his mother and the mystery surrounding the disappearance of his sister (who he remembers as the Morton's Salt Girl).

    This is a beautiful, funny, stark coming of age story that explores loss, sexuality, identity and family relationships. There is a strong sense of nostalgia, and a primal quality to the story telling. Quint tries to reconcile his youth while coming to terms with the impending death of his father, the memory of his mother and the mystery surrounding the disappearance of his sister (who he remembers as the Morton's Salt Girl).

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  • Bridget O'Leary: Necessary Monsters by John Kuntz
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    This is an incredibly theatrical, heightened, imaginative play. It took me on a crazy ride where I was constantly trying to connect the dots, but the rules keep changing and every time I thought I knew what was happening, the story would shift. I was riveted and engaged through the entire production. The play lends itself to directors and ensembles who like to create larger than life worlds where real people can live. I recommend this play for any theater who likes to take risks with their material, who's audience enjoys adventure, and who's actors love a playful challenge.

    This is an incredibly theatrical, heightened, imaginative play. It took me on a crazy ride where I was constantly trying to connect the dots, but the rules keep changing and every time I thought I knew what was happening, the story would shift. I was riveted and engaged through the entire production. The play lends itself to directors and ensembles who like to create larger than life worlds where real people can live. I recommend this play for any theater who likes to take risks with their material, who's audience enjoys adventure, and who's actors love a playful challenge.

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  • Bridget O'Leary: The Hotel Nepenthe by John Kuntz
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    I am a huge fan of this play, and this playwright. Kuntz creates a Noir-esque world that mixes humor, danger, and a touch of absurd-ism. The episodic scenes weave seamlessly to tell stories of people who are lost and lonely. The play left me with no answers, only questions but it was extremely satisfying. In the end, I felt like I had gone on an adventure. I highly recommend this play to any theater whose audience enjoys being provoked in a dark and playful way.

    I am a huge fan of this play, and this playwright. Kuntz creates a Noir-esque world that mixes humor, danger, and a touch of absurd-ism. The episodic scenes weave seamlessly to tell stories of people who are lost and lonely. The play left me with no answers, only questions but it was extremely satisfying. In the end, I felt like I had gone on an adventure. I highly recommend this play to any theater whose audience enjoys being provoked in a dark and playful way.

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  • Bridget O'Leary: From the Deep by Cassie M. Seinuk
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    This is a wonderful, thoughtful and complex two-hander. Seinuk has crafted a purgatory of sorts and we don't find out until the end where they are and what is really happening. The suspense is well crafted. The characters are incredibly layered. It wasn't a feel good play, but it definitely raised a lot of questions and stimulated a provocative conversation. I recommend it for anyone who is looking for a piece that packs a hard punch and gives actors meaty, aerobic roles.

    This is a wonderful, thoughtful and complex two-hander. Seinuk has crafted a purgatory of sorts and we don't find out until the end where they are and what is really happening. The suspense is well crafted. The characters are incredibly layered. It wasn't a feel good play, but it definitely raised a lot of questions and stimulated a provocative conversation. I recommend it for anyone who is looking for a piece that packs a hard punch and gives actors meaty, aerobic roles.

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