Recommended by John Busser

  • John Busser: "The Talk"

    In so many plays the senior citizens are usually relegated to background characters and/or the characters in need of being looked after. Not so with Jacquie Floyd's newest play. Here, Annie and Meg take a back seat to no one, including those loved ones who insist they need assistance. The young'uns are about to find out who's really in the driver's seat (and I hope they find out at night for an extra added shot of adrenaline). Great roles for 2 senior actresses who just want to show you there's still some gas in the tank.

    In so many plays the senior citizens are usually relegated to background characters and/or the characters in need of being looked after. Not so with Jacquie Floyd's newest play. Here, Annie and Meg take a back seat to no one, including those loved ones who insist they need assistance. The young'uns are about to find out who's really in the driver's seat (and I hope they find out at night for an extra added shot of adrenaline). Great roles for 2 senior actresses who just want to show you there's still some gas in the tank.

  • John Busser: Under the Floorboards

    Just listened to this on The Ugly Radio podcast and what an aural treat it was. A creepy adaptation of Poe's Tell-Tale Heart, the device of splitting the Narrator into 3 distinct personas representing aspects of a disturbed mind only enhances the unsettling nature of the protagonists's mind. We are more able to see the turmoil and conflicts when presented this way. And, since this story's main conceit is sonic in nature, is is doubly apt to have heard it (impossible heartbeats and all) on the podcast. Just terrific from script to performances. Bravo.

    Just listened to this on The Ugly Radio podcast and what an aural treat it was. A creepy adaptation of Poe's Tell-Tale Heart, the device of splitting the Narrator into 3 distinct personas representing aspects of a disturbed mind only enhances the unsettling nature of the protagonists's mind. We are more able to see the turmoil and conflicts when presented this way. And, since this story's main conceit is sonic in nature, is is doubly apt to have heard it (impossible heartbeats and all) on the podcast. Just terrific from script to performances. Bravo.

  • John Busser: MODICUM OF CONDOLENCE

    Ah, Bond tropes, where would we be without you? Well we wouldn't have this spot on parody of them from Zach Wobensmith, which would be a shame. It's smartly funny and was a fun, fast read and I want an immediate sequel "The Spy Who Sentenced Me" or "Diagram a Sentence Another Day". If you write one, I'll be waiting with my eyepatch on and stuffed puss in hand.

    Ah, Bond tropes, where would we be without you? Well we wouldn't have this spot on parody of them from Zach Wobensmith, which would be a shame. It's smartly funny and was a fun, fast read and I want an immediate sequel "The Spy Who Sentenced Me" or "Diagram a Sentence Another Day". If you write one, I'll be waiting with my eyepatch on and stuffed puss in hand.

  • John Busser: I Hate Your Cat

    This is the kind of break up I'd sign up for! The reasons I've been dumped are never this giggle-inducing. And I commend Taylor for playing the long game here "Call me when the cat dies" Now THAT's commitment. Jodi might want to rethink a man who'd wait a cat's life span to get back together...

    This is the kind of break up I'd sign up for! The reasons I've been dumped are never this giggle-inducing. And I commend Taylor for playing the long game here "Call me when the cat dies" Now THAT's commitment. Jodi might want to rethink a man who'd wait a cat's life span to get back together...

  • John Busser: Jacquie Floyd Sent Me

    With a title like this (and a friend like Jacquie), there was no way I WOULDN'T read this tidy little thriller from Rachel Feeny-Williams. And boy am I glad i did. This has all the best elements of great noir fiction with a touch of Hitchcock thrown in for good measure. All the dialogue rhythms feel spot on and I just KNEW that Jacquie Floyd would be dealing out justice with a drink in one hand, and an ether-soaked cloth in the other. Great fun from Rachel, who seems to know a bit too much about crime...

    With a title like this (and a friend like Jacquie), there was no way I WOULDN'T read this tidy little thriller from Rachel Feeny-Williams. And boy am I glad i did. This has all the best elements of great noir fiction with a touch of Hitchcock thrown in for good measure. All the dialogue rhythms feel spot on and I just KNEW that Jacquie Floyd would be dealing out justice with a drink in one hand, and an ether-soaked cloth in the other. Great fun from Rachel, who seems to know a bit too much about crime...

  • John Busser: Park Benches

    I cannot recommend this touching, emotionally rich play from Darrin Friedman enough. I dare anyone NOT to be moved by the story being told here. There is a respect for a life that needs to move on (two lives actually), and a mysterious person who helps a grieving husband find the courage to let go. David is a complex character, with a most complex dilemma. Agnes is a, well, I'm not too sure what Agnes is, but I know what I want her to be. Would that we all had our own Agnes to help us in out darkest times.

    I cannot recommend this touching, emotionally rich play from Darrin Friedman enough. I dare anyone NOT to be moved by the story being told here. There is a respect for a life that needs to move on (two lives actually), and a mysterious person who helps a grieving husband find the courage to let go. David is a complex character, with a most complex dilemma. Agnes is a, well, I'm not too sure what Agnes is, but I know what I want her to be. Would that we all had our own Agnes to help us in out darkest times.

  • John Busser: LMK

    The more things change, the more the dick pics stay the same. This was absolutely hilarious. Dawn Branch certainly hits the nail ( or something else) on the head here and the modern dating tools mixing with the tool that is Kinesias was wonderfully utilized here. And as we see, this man does little thinking with either head as he seems destined to repeat his mistakes even as he approaches it from another direction. Fun with a capital "D" for those pics he sends...

    The more things change, the more the dick pics stay the same. This was absolutely hilarious. Dawn Branch certainly hits the nail ( or something else) on the head here and the modern dating tools mixing with the tool that is Kinesias was wonderfully utilized here. And as we see, this man does little thinking with either head as he seems destined to repeat his mistakes even as he approaches it from another direction. Fun with a capital "D" for those pics he sends...

  • John Busser: A Typical STEM Job Interview

    The thing I love about this comedy is the escalation of absurdity Sam Heyman puts the applicant (and us, by extension) through. One ridiculous inquiry after another flusters and then finally causes the potential job hire to disconnect, and the capper to the scene is a chef's kiss on top of this bonkers play. A perfect play for Zoom too.

    The thing I love about this comedy is the escalation of absurdity Sam Heyman puts the applicant (and us, by extension) through. One ridiculous inquiry after another flusters and then finally causes the potential job hire to disconnect, and the capper to the scene is a chef's kiss on top of this bonkers play. A perfect play for Zoom too.

  • John Busser: Magic: The Jargoning 3: Jargon Horizons

    Poor Ted Danson, caught up in forces he couldn't understand. Just like me. I came through it with laughter instead of slaughter, like Ted. But that's what you get with a Sam Heyman play. Once again, a radio play would be amazing to hear, especially THIS installment as our characters really go a bit overboard and... well, read it yourself. Or better yet, listen to it as a radio play. If only for the correct pronunciations.

    Poor Ted Danson, caught up in forces he couldn't understand. Just like me. I came through it with laughter instead of slaughter, like Ted. But that's what you get with a Sam Heyman play. Once again, a radio play would be amazing to hear, especially THIS installment as our characters really go a bit overboard and... well, read it yourself. Or better yet, listen to it as a radio play. If only for the correct pronunciations.

  • John Busser: Magic: The Jargoning 2: Electrickery Boogaloo

    Okay, now we're getting nowhere. I managed to remain both entertained and somewhat mystified at the same time. But damn, I managed to keep up. Keep this up Sam, and I may have to go on a quest to find my LGS. As someone who is used to Geordi LaForging (aka techno-babbling) on TNG, I got the gist of this one and I think you will too. And as a radio play, there's more fun to be had in the voice casting.

    Okay, now we're getting nowhere. I managed to remain both entertained and somewhat mystified at the same time. But damn, I managed to keep up. Keep this up Sam, and I may have to go on a quest to find my LGS. As someone who is used to Geordi LaForging (aka techno-babbling) on TNG, I got the gist of this one and I think you will too. And as a radio play, there's more fun to be had in the voice casting.