Recommended by John Busser

11.21.24 - Well that was a ton of creepy fun. A horror-courtroom drama. I can't think I've ever experienced that particular hybrid of stories before. Thanks to Rachel Feeny-Williams for setting precedent here. It's really cool to see the modus operandi of a killer dissected in such a darkly judicial manor, and hearing this on the Theatrical Shenanigans podcast adds a rich texture to it with another fine voice cast and sound design. This was terrific from the first bang of the gavel to the last.

11.21.24 - I thought I knew where this was going multiple times and each time Rachel Feeny-Williams deftly pulled the rug out from under me. And I loved it! This play has layers. Layers in relationships, layers in motives and layers in plot twists. I think this one would absolutely keep the audience guessing and would be a wonderful addition to a night of one acts. Plus, it makes a hell of an audio play which is how I experienced this. Give a listen on Theatrical Shenanigans, you'll thank me!

11.21.24 - Now that was a fun piece of Frankensteinian(?) comic horror by Maryellen DiVivo. I'm a sucker for this type of humor, mixing comedy with some Tales From the Crypt style comeuppance for a demented doctor with boobs and resurrection on his mind. And the 3 women who decide to embrace their situation means there is a possibility we might see a return to this Victorian town to see who else deserves some spectral shenanigans. A hoot.

11.18.24 - I just read the first 21 page sample of this charming screwball, Bollywood-esque comedy of manners from Shoba Sadler and I have to say, it was a blast. Not my usual reading fare, I was nonetheless taken with the characters, the situation and the audacity of the playwright throwing in dance numbers and physical slapstick and it all hangs together perfectly. A terrific start to what I imagine is going to be an absolute hoot of a play.

11.18.24 - I love the absolute ludicrousness of this fever dream of a play by James Binz. Coming back from anesthesia has never been weirder, as Vernon has a few, shall we say, close encounters, with a nurse(s?) who's identity keeps changing for the stranger. Any actress lucky enough to get this play in her sights (cough cough-Jacquie Floyd-cough cough) would knock this out of the park. This is just a romp from the get go, and I'd love to see this staged.

11.18.24 - Our experiences, good or bad, shape us into what we currently are. John's horrific one has left him a man unable to move. Then, almost like Scrooge, he is visited by three people who help to propel him forward. His ex-wife is his past, a bit of divine intervention of his late daughter as she would be today, and finally, Sophia, a young woman who just may help pull him into a better future. Brent Alles has written a weighty piece about overcoming grief. It's beautifully realized.

11.17.24 - Ah, social media discourse, what would we do without you? Jonny Bolduc gives us a possible road to travel. And we all know what THAT road to Hell is paved with. In this case, it's people who believe what they want despite any factual evidence to the contrary. This is wonderfully zany satire that, if you've actually lived in our society the past 25 years or so is highly relatable. There should be a special circle of Hell reserved for TikTokkers, influencers and ANYONE who lives online.

11.17.24 - As an avid puzzler myself, this one hit home hard. This was sweetly fun, watching these three elderly folks try to out do one another and having their own difficulties in doing so. This kind of script is an actors dream, as the characters are so loaded with potential. There's the dialogue, the physicality and the characteristics of each to play with. I like Toby Malone has specified that these elderly puzzlers should be played by high schoolers in order to enhance the physical antics.

11.17.24 - This interesting two hander has all the elements of a juicy sordid affair, then throw you a curve at the end. Still sordid, but not the way you might think. Or at least the way NICK might think. Chris Plumridge may expand this piece. I say, he should. I'd love to see where this goes (as I'm sure Nick would. Come to think of it, I think Lisa would ALSO like to see where this goes) Even if Nick doesn't.

11.17.24 - Now THAT was eerily fun. I was not expecting the character shift that took place and frankly, I loved it! Leave it to Matthew Weaver to put an unconventional spin on gothic horror, and do it in a way that is much more monstrous. And not just because of the figure in the shadows either. Victoria may actually be the more terrifying character here. And I'd love to be in the audience when a particular sound effect happens, just to watch the bewilderment turn to amusement. Great fun!