←

Ken Love

Recommended by Ken Love

  • Ellida by Nora Louise Syran
    17 Jul. 2024
    “ Like the poetry of Louise Gluck and Elizabeth Bishop, Nora Louise Syran's "Ellida" is a haunting, lyrical monologue of a woman who, in point of fact, is fighting for her life. Like Ibsen's "The Lady From the Sea", the titular character seems tortured by the choices she must make. This piece could easily be broken into verse and read or spoken as a poem. Beautifully done! ”
  • Black Jesus by Fabiola R. Decius
    14 Jul. 2024
    “ I was raised in the Black Pentacostal church, from which I can only harbor bad memories. Then I read Fabiola R. Decius' "Black Jesus" and I was soon able to laugh at it all. Like Christopher Durang's "Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You", this plays focuses on the absurdity of religion, namely Christianity. Like Mr. Durang's play, Ms Decius' work is light comedy, satire and - ultimately - quite dangerous. Which is the kind of theater that I love! ”
  • TARGET PRACTICE by Michael Towers
    14 Jul. 2024
    “ The best thing about Michael Towers' "Target Practice" is the dialogue. It stings, engages and elicits well earned laughter. A play is truly good when, at the completion, you only wish to know more about the characters, who were so dimensioned and well-drawn that they seemed as familiar as the teaches and coaches we knew in high school. Nicely done, Mr. Towers! ”
  • The Well by Mike Byham
    11 Jul. 2024
    “ Mike Byham's "The Well" gives us two characters spending the last few moments of life on earth, enthralled by one another, yet distant enought to weave a compelling end-of-days story that the couple seems to revel in as they tell it. The audience will not want the world or this story to end for wishing ever so fervently to spend more time with these people. Heartbreaking, yet wondrous. ”
  • Louisiana Shoal by Mildred Inez Lewis
    5 Jul. 2024
    “ Dark. Dystopian. And all to relevent and fitting for our times. Mildred Inez Lewis' "Louisiana Shoal" is a parable on choices made in the extreme. Yes, the ending is tragic due to the utter inevitability of it all. I missed seeing this piece in performance. Yet I, at least, had the good fortune to have read the play. Well done, Mildred! ”
  • Once Upon a Smorgasbord by Miranda Jonté
    3 Jul. 2024
    “ A memory play, a tortured love story. "Once Upon a Smorgasbord" is another play by Miranda Jonte in which I heard music as I read it. Sweet music which wasn't twee or "sentimental". I felt the humor and pain expressed by the main character. I even felt a gentle early winter chill that comes just at the end of fall. And the tempting smell of food was well expressed in the writing. A lovely work! ”
  • A Bucket of Crabs (Walking Warm) by Nora Louise Syran
    3 Jul. 2024
    “ What's said . . . what is unsaid . . . what shouldn't be said . . . in polite company. Even sisters have to step very, very carefully amongst themselves. Like the haulting dialogue that runs throughout the play, the three sisters seem to have an ardent, near urgent need to express themselves politically. Yet hold back for fear of inflicting pain. Ironically, that's where the humor lies. Definitely a play for our troubled times. ”
  • Gold Paint by Morey Norkin
    30 Jun. 2024
    “ What begins as a hilarious send-up of death soon transitions into heartfelt yet biting social commentary. Of course, what ultimately gives this piece its momentum is vivid characterization. And the memory play device (expressed through the prologue and epilogue) only add to the plays appeal. Mr. Norkin has given us a theatrical gem on par with Herb Gardner's "Conversations With My Father". Nicely done, Mr. Norkin! ”
  • Between Hellgate and Long Island Sound by Nora Louise Syran
    29 Jun. 2024
    “ I know a monologue is well written when - while reading - I'm able to actually experience it. And hear it. And long to see it performed by a capable, engaging actress. When "Between Hellgate and Long Island Sound" finally gets a production, I hope that the playwright, Nora Louise Syran, will give me a heads up! Kudos! ”
  • Winchester Geese by Maggie Smith
    29 Jun. 2024
    “ Like "Riders to the Sea" by John Millington Synge, Jean Paul Sartre's "No Exit", and the poetry of Federico Garcia Lorca & even Emily Dickinson, Maggie Smith's "Winchester Geese" is a play that takes a hard, nearly uncompromising look at the finality and tragedy of death. While the conundrum of death has been tackled and overdone by playwrights, novelists and poets ad infinitum, Ms Smith, fortunately, has the nerve and talent to add something unique to this well-worn topic. A must-read! And a must-see! Nicely done, Maggie! ”

Pages