Recommended by Cherielyn Ferguson

I recently had the pleasure of seeing this performed and it’s a hoot, a kick, and more. I was engaged throughout and was sorry when it was over. Each role offers a field day to imaginative actors willing to throw themselves into a wacked-out world that exists halfway between Sesame Street and Noir Avenue. More Arno, Omar, Zelda, and Mr. C—please!

There’s so much to love about this play. It contains two excellent parts for women, with sharp and funny dialogue. It also offers food for thought. Who knew Henry David Thoreau lugged his laundry from his cabin back to his mother’s house? That he took a restorative nap while his mother and sister washed his clothes. That his sister Sophia was equally intelligent and capable. If I were asked “what is this play about”, I’d say it’s about two women who might have achieved remarkable things if a man had stayed home to do THEIR laundry.

The Dating Pool should be a go-to for theatres looking to cast women in a variety of well-defined roles. Beyond offering that important element, the play also offers a creative exploration of how we look back on life decisions. Did we do the right thing? What were the consequences? Would we make a different decision based on what we know now? There are plenty of thought-provoking moments in this play that will linger. It will appeal to everyone.

This play provides what many theatre directors are looking for right now—a play that matters. Perfect explores an issue that has meaning for all of us and asks important questions. Is it possible to use genetic engineering in humane ways? How far can it take us and is it safe and morally acceptable to go there? Serious as that sounds, Perfect is perfectly entertaining with lively, smart dialog from unique characters. Filled with dramatically entertaining and often humorous scenes, this is a play I couldn’t put down until I knew how it all comes out in the end.

I love this play! It's totally engaging all the way through, well paced, and has really original characters. One of its greatest strengths is the specificity of its environment--there's nothing bland about it. It asks a question at the start that you have to get the answer to and I had no trouble at all sticking with it to learn the outcome for Lucille and Roy. Well done, Ms. Humphrey! Best of luck to you as MHH makes its way to more prominent productions.