Recommended by John Busser

  • John Busser: Hi. My Name is Wendy. And I'm in Love with a...Lost Boy

    I got sucked in right away to what I THOUGHT was going to be a fun subversion of the Barrie tale, but swiftly turned into a heart-wrenching tale of growing up and the things we try to hold on to but can't. Times and people change and as much as we don't want them to, it's inevitable. Wendy's longing for Peter and his rejection of her (even as he attempts to use her for his own purposes, the dick) have such an authentic feel. Who among us hasn't felt that sting? A sadly beautiful play by Haygen-Brice Walker.

    I got sucked in right away to what I THOUGHT was going to be a fun subversion of the Barrie tale, but swiftly turned into a heart-wrenching tale of growing up and the things we try to hold on to but can't. Times and people change and as much as we don't want them to, it's inevitable. Wendy's longing for Peter and his rejection of her (even as he attempts to use her for his own purposes, the dick) have such an authentic feel. Who among us hasn't felt that sting? A sadly beautiful play by Haygen-Brice Walker.

  • John Busser: The Melatonin Miners

    I'm sure we'd find it much easier to blame this play on an overindulgence on the very melatonin gummies Philip Middleton Williams talks about in this play, but he's a far better writer than that. I had the pleasure to take part on a reading of this hysterical play about sleep, artistic creation and how our muses can come from some unexpected bottles-- I mean, places. I had a blast reading this, and I bet an audience would have an even better time watching it.

    I'm sure we'd find it much easier to blame this play on an overindulgence on the very melatonin gummies Philip Middleton Williams talks about in this play, but he's a far better writer than that. I had the pleasure to take part on a reading of this hysterical play about sleep, artistic creation and how our muses can come from some unexpected bottles-- I mean, places. I had a blast reading this, and I bet an audience would have an even better time watching it.

  • John Busser: TFW THE PUBLIC BATHROOM SINK HAS BETTER SECURITY THAN MY NEW IPHONE

    Probably the most relatable play I've ever read. We ALLLLLLLLLL run into this issue. I don't know anyone who hasn't. What would be fun to see staged is letting each production come up with their own elaborate choreography for the actual turn on of the faucet. Definitely a fun one for the physicality alone. And the ending is the perfect cherry on top.

    Probably the most relatable play I've ever read. We ALLLLLLLLLL run into this issue. I don't know anyone who hasn't. What would be fun to see staged is letting each production come up with their own elaborate choreography for the actual turn on of the faucet. Definitely a fun one for the physicality alone. And the ending is the perfect cherry on top.

  • John Busser: Look Away

    The history of this country is replete with stories of antisemitism. This was one I'd not heard before and I was both fascinated and horrified at the foolishness of it. Morey Norkin presents a powerful account, told with narration, chorus and dialogue that aptly replaces a dry textbook accounting of events. He puts human faces on those who wrong and are wronged. This is a story that should be told. While reading it was satisfying, I think a production would be far more effective when you see the effects of such actions as taken by Gen. Grant.

    The history of this country is replete with stories of antisemitism. This was one I'd not heard before and I was both fascinated and horrified at the foolishness of it. Morey Norkin presents a powerful account, told with narration, chorus and dialogue that aptly replaces a dry textbook accounting of events. He puts human faces on those who wrong and are wronged. This is a story that should be told. While reading it was satisfying, I think a production would be far more effective when you see the effects of such actions as taken by Gen. Grant.

  • John Busser: You Need Nutmeg in Fishkill

    So I'm going to assume that Steve Martin has either been drinking the runoff from an air conditioner or he's had one bottle of NyQuil too many. No one in their right mind would have come up with this hilarious David Lynch meets David Cronenberg meets CBS sitcom as told to Stephen King and translated into Bat-Shit Crazy... but apparently Steve Martin did it anyway. Filled with sight gags, demonic languages, blood by the bucket, and a hell of a sense of humor, this is a play that the author feels is un-produceable. Let's prove him wrong! MAKE THIS SUCKER!

    So I'm going to assume that Steve Martin has either been drinking the runoff from an air conditioner or he's had one bottle of NyQuil too many. No one in their right mind would have come up with this hilarious David Lynch meets David Cronenberg meets CBS sitcom as told to Stephen King and translated into Bat-Shit Crazy... but apparently Steve Martin did it anyway. Filled with sight gags, demonic languages, blood by the bucket, and a hell of a sense of humor, this is a play that the author feels is un-produceable. Let's prove him wrong! MAKE THIS SUCKER!

  • John Busser: The Invention of Time

    Franky Gonzalez gives us quite a lot to think about here with 2 characters that normally aren't allowed to display the dignity that he gives them here. 2 men, with nothing better to do as they pass through their sentences, have a discussion about what REALLY keeps them prisoner, and it turns out, it maybe isn't the cell they're in. I was not expecting a philosophical discussion here and was pleasantly surprised to find that prison isn't as confining to the soul as it is to the body. Beautifully written and would be a pleasure to see staged.

    Franky Gonzalez gives us quite a lot to think about here with 2 characters that normally aren't allowed to display the dignity that he gives them here. 2 men, with nothing better to do as they pass through their sentences, have a discussion about what REALLY keeps them prisoner, and it turns out, it maybe isn't the cell they're in. I was not expecting a philosophical discussion here and was pleasantly surprised to find that prison isn't as confining to the soul as it is to the body. Beautifully written and would be a pleasure to see staged.

  • John Busser: BUZZ

    Whoa Nelly! It took me a while, but once I caught onto Lesley's dilemma, I burst out laughing. I will, of course, not disclose what that is, and suggest you read this yourself. Or better yet, find a production of this piece. While this IS listed as a radio drama (with one VERY important sound effect), I'd love to see a live production as the actress playing Lesley should have a field day with some physical body humor. Chris Plumridge has written a winner.

    Whoa Nelly! It took me a while, but once I caught onto Lesley's dilemma, I burst out laughing. I will, of course, not disclose what that is, and suggest you read this yourself. Or better yet, find a production of this piece. While this IS listed as a radio drama (with one VERY important sound effect), I'd love to see a live production as the actress playing Lesley should have a field day with some physical body humor. Chris Plumridge has written a winner.

  • John Busser: FALLING IN TIME

    What a FASCINATING idea for a discussion! I was hooked from page one wanting to see where this would go. And I was really worried about the outcome of Clem's visit. Charles Scott Jones made these people real to me. I think the audience, pet owners and NON-pet owners alike will respond to these characters. Wonderful writing.

    What a FASCINATING idea for a discussion! I was hooked from page one wanting to see where this would go. And I was really worried about the outcome of Clem's visit. Charles Scott Jones made these people real to me. I think the audience, pet owners and NON-pet owners alike will respond to these characters. Wonderful writing.

  • John Busser: Intricacies, Death and the Oxford Comma

    I can't think of a more appropriate person to give a royal rogering to the Monarchy than the King of "horsing around", Scott Sickles. With but a single keystroke (or in this case, the specific omission of one), Scott manages to send hundreds, if not thousands of years of tradition into a tailspin. THAT'S some clever writing. And now that Scott has skewered the Royals (using a "gimlet" of sorts. Perfect!) raise another kind of Gimlet (the drink kind) to toast this wily bastard.

    I can't think of a more appropriate person to give a royal rogering to the Monarchy than the King of "horsing around", Scott Sickles. With but a single keystroke (or in this case, the specific omission of one), Scott manages to send hundreds, if not thousands of years of tradition into a tailspin. THAT'S some clever writing. And now that Scott has skewered the Royals (using a "gimlet" of sorts. Perfect!) raise another kind of Gimlet (the drink kind) to toast this wily bastard.

  • John Busser: I Don't DO Holidays

    Daniel Prillaman deserves his own following. Like some Midsummer Festival cult who sacrifice Americans, he should have followers who would go to every play festival featuring one of his plays (Like Dead Heads minus the discarded Ben and Jerry containers left over after the event. But I digress) Dan's play is hysterical and he hits the tone perfectly. My favorite line though has to be "Rapist Pillager Discovers Land Already Discovered Day?" Brilliant! The Santa takedown was hilarious in its own dark fashion as well. This is truly funny stuff.

    Daniel Prillaman deserves his own following. Like some Midsummer Festival cult who sacrifice Americans, he should have followers who would go to every play festival featuring one of his plays (Like Dead Heads minus the discarded Ben and Jerry containers left over after the event. But I digress) Dan's play is hysterical and he hits the tone perfectly. My favorite line though has to be "Rapist Pillager Discovers Land Already Discovered Day?" Brilliant! The Santa takedown was hilarious in its own dark fashion as well. This is truly funny stuff.