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Brian Cern

Recommended by Brian Cern

  • Mirror Mirror Mirror (10 Minute Play) by Pamela Morgan
    21 Apr. 2023
    “ It's easy to go into this piece with the feeling that you've seen it before. The onslaught of self criticism that is felt within the confines of a dressing room.
    It's a simple, yet profound, flip that Morgan takes that transforms this into a wonderfully uplifting piece about self-empowerment.
    A troupe will be well served to highlight the power of it's young women through the performances of this play. ”
  • Prior Engagement by Wyn Alyse Thomas
    15 Mar. 2023
    “ A clean and tidy two hander that reveals itself like wounds behind a tattered dress.
    I wish there was more! The characters are developed to the point where I would live to get to know them, and understand their relationship more.
    Genuine emotion, with lots of room for actors to flex their wings.
    I'm looking forward to a bright future for Ms Thomas! ”
  • Bar Mitzvah Boy by Bruce Karp
    9 Mar. 2023
    “ This fires on all the right notes. A coming of age/flashback story that honors the past, without over-romanticizing it. Touching notes of family, self-discovery, and faith that are honest to at the core, and authentic without being caricatures. The historical events in the back ground only serve to enhance the validity of the emotion.
    Also expertly handled, and this is a rarity, the explanation of Jewish customs. Many times, I've notice, Jewish traditions can be over explained for non Jews. Karp handles this by placing everything in its proper context. Show, rather than tell. Well done! ”
  • The B Is For Bullsh!t by John Mabey
    9 Mar. 2023
    “ Some of the most fully dimensional characters that I have ever seen.
    Of all the compelling storylines, of all the grasps at defining an identity, perhaps the most compelling and resonant may be that of "who are you when the none of the letters apply?"
    It strikes at the core of the issue, and I hope to be afforded to opportunity to direct this someday. ”
  • Storm on Storm by Gary Garrison
    9 Mar. 2023
    “ Fun and thought provoking, the the notion of Norton traveling the country to solve an areas weather issues bright outright laughter.
    But in the comedy, there is a real human core, of two people connecting through tragedy.
    A delightful read, I very much enjoyed. ”
  • Demons Helping Demons by Jacquelyn Floyd-Priskorn
    9 Mar. 2023
    “ What a fun ride! Original and humanizing in the story,"Demons Helping Demons" manages to find common ground between all characters, regardless of their plane of existence.
    Without revealing too much, I find that it's not the horror/comedy that it sets its self up to be a b breath of fresh air. In avoiding those pitfalls, it allows the humanity of the non-humans to shine.
    Well crafted and engrossing, I would love to see this put up on stage. ”
  • Feeder (A Monologue) by John Busser
    9 Mar. 2023
    “ The Dawn Chorus as a harbinger of a dissociative break. To shield herself from the trauma that is her waking life, Edie disappears into the world of birdsong, allowing her body too do what needs to be done to shield her from the utter hell that is her waking life. Will Edie ever realize what happened to her husband? Probably not, but that shouldn't keep her from enjoying her final years in peace. Buster skillfully crafted monologue handles this schism well, without treating is as a convenient device, and without downplaying the trauma. Well done! ”
  • DANCING WITH UNICORNS-a very short play by Marj O'Neill-Butler
    9 Mar. 2023
    “ We all have that dichotomy between the life we dreamed of, and the one we ended up with. And that's good, that's wonderful. Because the dreams always fail to count for the all the adventures that make up life. Those little things that may divert our path, and pull us away from where we thought we'd be. What O'Neil-Butler does with "Unicorns" is to remind us of this. The Dream is still there, to visit, to remember... But it is idealized, and that we should never fail to celebrate the mundane that measures out this life. ”
  • The Creative in the Corner by John N. Frank
    6 Mar. 2023
    “ An interesting treatise on finding one’s place in the world as one ages, it echos familiar themes of identity.
    Compounding the matter, our protagonist is a playwright. He struggles with the not to unfamiliar issues of cold rejection. Yet, as opposed to looking at this as trying to live on in the world, he sees this as hastening his demise.
    Yes, it can be a little depressing and backwards at times, it is still a point of view worth exploring. That way, perhaps we can find ways to bring people like The Creative back into the fold. ”
  • Jack Off (10 Minute Play) by Pamela Morgan
    26 Jan. 2023
    “ Rude, crude, not for kids, deeply satirical, and just about the dang funniest play I've read in ages! Should anyone do an adults-only festival, please let me know. I will fly to wherever you are! Like most of her shows, Morgan takes the simple premise and brings it to a whole new (normally unseen) level. Very well done! ”

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