←

Liz Dooley

Recommended by Liz Dooley

  • Daphne in Leaf by Patricia Davis
    9 Apr. 2020
    “ A clever and beautifully-written reworking of the myth of Daphne, and a damning parallel of how little an assault survivor’s plight has changed since the days of antiquity. Daphne herself is a heartbreaking heroine, and her father Peneus, while his love is obvious, is held accountable for the despicable things he does and fails to do. I’d love to see Patricia Davis tackle more ladies of myth in the future. Check it out! ”
  • The Red Truck, a monologue by Rachel Bublitz
    9 Apr. 2020
    “ Rachel Bublitz explores the mess and trauma that come with sexual assault on multiple levels, and challenges the myth of the “perfect victim” in doing so. The protagonist’s journey toward recognizing what’s happened to her AS assault, in the face of so many voices who would tell her otherwise, is painful and will be instantly recognizable to survivors everywhere. This one hit me hard--I only wish I’d found it sooner. ”
  • SEA CHANGE by Rachael Carnes
    9 Apr. 2020
    “ Carnes’ reflection of that eternally-writing state that so many of us find ourselves in, weighed against the massive changes in Shelley’s life and the day-to-day responsibility of parenthood, is sure to resonate with artists everywhere--made even more encouraging that the mother will eventually become one of the most celebrated novelists of England. In one brief glance, this play shows Shelley as both living human and future legend.
    ”
  • What About the Children? by Sharai Bohannon
    30 Jun. 2019
    “ A fantastic and timely “seeing-the-light” play which makes its point without stopping to preach at the audience. I can genuinely see this play helping someone trying to get out of a relationship with a loved one with whom they no longer agree. The play is driven by a sincere appeal to emotion and reason, which is as effective on the audience as it is on Sonya within the play. Necessary, and emotionally messy in the best way. ”
  • Mermaids by Jessica Huang
    30 Jun. 2019
    “ I loved the crisp imagery of this piece—not only does it make you feel like you’re really by an overcast shore, but it perfectly services the sparse, unsentimental language that nonetheless manages to be full of the love between these characters. This play makes you believe in impossible things, if only because you’d be left devastated if you didn’t. Masterfully done, Huang! ”
  • OPERATION SNIFF 'N SNUGGLE by Asher Wyndham
    30 Jun. 2019
    “ The jarring nature of this play makes its emotional impact hit that much harder. Devastating in its succinctness, and a strong call-to-action vis a vis gun violence. I’m genuinely rooting for these dogs, and not just because I love dogs—and despite, as the Nurse points out, the fact that they won’t solve the problem alone. ”
  • Julio Ain't Goin' Down Like That by C. Julian Jiménez
    30 Jun. 2019
    “ This may be one of the most dynamic intelligent plays I’ve read in a very long time. An energizing and heart-wrenching portrayal of a community reeling from a tragedy that’s still terrifyingly common today, and a thorough exploration of intersectionality. We are, literally and figuratively, seeing a time, place, and a specific act of violence through the eyes of a community. It’s smart, it’s bombastic, it’s intense, it’s funny— like J. Heights herself, this play is entirely its own. The more people see this, the better we'll be as a species. ”
  • FREAKIN' AWESOME STEP-DAD: A MONOLOGUE by Asher Wyndham
    30 Jun. 2019
    “ I wish all step-dads (or indeed, all dads) could be like this guy—wonderfully protective, gruffly affectionate, and plainly accepting and open-minded. A wonderful five-minutes to spend with what really is a freakin’ awesome character. ”
  • Exhibit by Justin Guidroz
    30 Jun. 2019
    “ A macabre confrontation of the romanticizing and commodification of death, particularly that of women and young people. Full of stark, creepy imagery that would be absolutely eerie onstage. I also appreciated the slight delve into the meta—in many ways, this play perfectly describes the feeling a writer gets whilst killing off a character. I hope to get the chance to see a production of this play—I can only imagine what a director and actors could do with it, and I can’t wait to see what it looks like! ”
  • Judith, Princess of Stratford-upon-Avon by Ellen Koivisto
    30 Jun. 2019
    “ I’m a sucker for plays that give voices to the forgotten figures in the lives of famous people, and JUDITH delivered on all fronts in that regard. The character Judith broke my heart, as did her mother’s melancholy resignation to the state of her relationship. A poignant examination of the harsh underside of the “Great, Distant Artist” archetype. ”

Pages