Recommended by John Busser

  • Olly Olly Oxen Free
    30 May. 2023
    Whoa, that turned dark quickly. There's a vaguely sadistic aspect to a lot of games, and safety is just a concept and not a surety. Jacquie Floyd's short piece takes what should be an innocuous game and lends it an air of true menace. From trust issues between the seen participants, to the unsettling UNSEEN voice, there's very little play going on here. Then things take a macabre turn. This is the kind of play that can set your skin crawling with it's execution. Creepy and highly effective.
  • ANAGRAM, a three-minute comedy play
    29 May. 2023
    Arianna Rose, my hat's off to you. As someone who appreciates wordplay, I was totally taken by this piece. Sophisticated, and I think a lot harder to bring off that it seems reading it. With reading you are able to take a moment to ponder the context, see the spelling (important in a few passages here to the characters, not just the reader), and take your time to figure out where they're going. Onstage, the actors will have to really put effort to make sure this works. Not because it's confusing, but because it is devilishly clever. Very cool!
  • A Wager
    29 May. 2023
    Perfect for the stage but ABSOLUTELY perfect for radio theater. Actors would have a ball with these two roles. Two not so virtuous characters playing a deadly game of control for the others fate, yet both so knotted in each other's business, that it reeks of career suicide for both should they try to enforce their wills on the other. This is noir-ish in it's unfolding and the ending is nothing less than genius. I loved it.
  • Orange Slices
    29 May. 2023
    Kay's description of the orange and her immense craving for a slice are written so evocatively. Emily McClain paints such a wonderful picture with language alone, that the actors onstage performing would be like icing on a cake. Kay is almost paralyzed with self doubt, fear, and embarrassment over such a small thing as an orange slice. But we all sometimes blow things way out of proportion, don't we? As audience members we can look at Kay and say "Just ask for it, already!" But there's a possibility that if WE were Kay, we might be paralyzed too.
  • I can hear the bells
    29 May. 2023
    I think Ryan Vaughan is absolutely right when he places the instruction on casting here. He asks that only appropriately aged actors play these children. No adults. Kids are used to such role play anyway as they strive to emulate grownups. And the two here ring true in their wants and desires from the other. A light comedy with just the right ending. All kids have to stop play acting when mom calls. It's heartfelt and sweet.
  • When in Rome
    29 May. 2023
    I laughed my assius off reading this hilarious piece from Morey Norkin. I would pay good money to see this produced (Are you listening, theaters? You've already sold one ticket for sure!) Packed with visual and written gags, this is the kind of thing an evening of short plays would put either first to start with a bang, or last to end with a blast! I can't recommend it enough.

    "Cicero Lipschitz"! Morey, you killed me with that name! Brilliant!
  • EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE, ALL OVER THE PLACE
    29 May. 2023
    A set designer's dream (or nightmare, however they look at it), Paul Smith actually constructs the perfect metaphor for (multi)universal chaos and the poor suffering parent who has to deal with it on what I assume is, a constant basis. Short, to the point and very relatable.
  • Next Year, Transformers! (Ten Minute)
    29 May. 2023
    I loved the juxtaposition of having such heavy material for a discussion wrapped in Star Wars costumery. The characters, despite their lack of amity toward each other, are united in their desire to keep the relationship going with their son, and are willing to work together to do so. Not a bad lesson for a lot of divorced parents to learn. And it's done with gentle charm and humor. Great job Paul!
  • The Speeding Ticket
    29 May. 2023
    It doesn't matter the mode of transportation, someone is going to run (or in this case, skate) afoul of the law. Rachel Feeny-Williams shows that cops are the same the world over (and let's be honest, so are scofflaws). As a lead foot myself, I've gotten a few speeding tickets, and it never goes well when both parties have chips on their shoulders, as Rachel's characters here do. Fast and funny satire.
  • I Don't Know: A Ten-Minute Play
    16 May. 2023
    I'll tell you now, bout what I read; McClindon's play just knocked me dead!
    Funny stuff on every page; Inappropriate for every age!
    Some might think it's rather crude; You won't like it if you're a prude!
    But if you want to laugh with glee; Produce this play ASAP!

    Yeah, you can tell I was never an Army sergeant...

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