Recommended by John Busser

  • John Busser: Property of The Louvre [monologue] by Iyna Caruso
    “

    The way Iyna Caruso tells the tale, I want this to be the way it went down. There's a sense of romanticism here that plays into all of our societal desires to love the criminal over authority. Like a Spanish Robin Hood, we pull for Pablo (even if he wasn't exactly guilty of what he was accused of nor giving riches to the poor,) we're still on his side.

    The way Iyna Caruso tells the tale, I want this to be the way it went down. There's a sense of romanticism here that plays into all of our societal desires to love the criminal over authority. Like a Spanish Robin Hood, we pull for Pablo (even if he wasn't exactly guilty of what he was accused of nor giving riches to the poor,) we're still on his side.

    ”
  • John Busser: Unidentified Frying Object by Evan Baughfman
    “

    You always both know and don't know what you're going to get with an Evan Baughfman play. You KNOW you're going to get something absurd, a bit on the strange side, fills with quirky characters, and funny as hell. But you DON'T KNOW how he'll rope you in each time. Evan's imagination is it's own mysterious creature in itself. And thank God for it. I love this little play. My favorite line (and one I think encapsulates the weirdness perfectly) "I foraged the wrong mushrooms for dinner?" Perfection.

    You always both know and don't know what you're going to get with an Evan Baughfman play. You KNOW you're going to get something absurd, a bit on the strange side, fills with quirky characters, and funny as hell. But you DON'T KNOW how he'll rope you in each time. Evan's imagination is it's own mysterious creature in itself. And thank God for it. I love this little play. My favorite line (and one I think encapsulates the weirdness perfectly) "I foraged the wrong mushrooms for dinner?" Perfection.

    ”
  • John Busser: Two Monologues, a Sandwich and a Floyd-Priskorn by Christopher Plumridge
    “

    A wise man once said "I don't care if everyone gets my stuff. I just care that the RIGHT people get it." And this play may be the most "inside baseball" thing I've read in a good long while, and I actually think I got it! So if nothing else, I recommend this play on the basis that I got it! And I like peanut butter sandwiches too. So... win/win. Thanks for the fun read Christopher.

    A wise man once said "I don't care if everyone gets my stuff. I just care that the RIGHT people get it." And this play may be the most "inside baseball" thing I've read in a good long while, and I actually think I got it! So if nothing else, I recommend this play on the basis that I got it! And I like peanut butter sandwiches too. So... win/win. Thanks for the fun read Christopher.

    ”
  • John Busser: 28 Brains Later by Debra A. Cole
    “

    I love Deb Cole's writing. Even as something as silly as a zombie writing challenge teaches you a valuable lesson. Although I think I learned the wrong one.

    I've been eating like there's no tomorrow.

    Even the zombies she writes are smarter than I am...

    I love Deb Cole's writing. Even as something as silly as a zombie writing challenge teaches you a valuable lesson. Although I think I learned the wrong one.

    I've been eating like there's no tomorrow.

    Even the zombies she writes are smarter than I am...

    ”
  • John Busser: Time in a Bottle by Brent Alles
    “

    Wow! For a seemingly whimsical premise, that was surprisingly touching. George learns a few things about himself and how he's spent his time on Earth. And learns to appreciate it for than he had. Especially after a particular drink. Brent Alles has crafted a thought-provoking play here that I think would be a wonderful addition to any festival. Thanks Brent!

    Wow! For a seemingly whimsical premise, that was surprisingly touching. George learns a few things about himself and how he's spent his time on Earth. And learns to appreciate it for than he had. Especially after a particular drink. Brent Alles has crafted a thought-provoking play here that I think would be a wonderful addition to any festival. Thanks Brent!

    ”
  • John Busser: Words of Royals by Rachel Feeny-Williams
    “

    A terrific implementation of a limited word count, with the added handicap of letting those 30 words be randomly generated. Rachel Feeny-Williams never ceases to amaze with her imagination and skill at wordplay. More playwrights should take chances like she does.

    A terrific implementation of a limited word count, with the added handicap of letting those 30 words be randomly generated. Rachel Feeny-Williams never ceases to amaze with her imagination and skill at wordplay. More playwrights should take chances like she does.

    ”
  • John Busser: Perseus and the Pretty Purple Pickles (co-written with Steven G. Martin) by DC Cathro
    “

    Well wasn't that charming as all get out! A wonderful short play for young actors that, frankly makes me jealous I can't play one of those parts (I would kick butt as Mr. Manticore). It's got style, it's got wordplay and most important, it's got pickles! Purple Pickles!

    Oh, and a lesson about sharing, that too.

    Well wasn't that charming as all get out! A wonderful short play for young actors that, frankly makes me jealous I can't play one of those parts (I would kick butt as Mr. Manticore). It's got style, it's got wordplay and most important, it's got pickles! Purple Pickles!

    Oh, and a lesson about sharing, that too.

    ”
  • John Busser: Perseus and the Pretty Purple Pickles: A short play for young audiences [co-written with DC Cathro] by Steven G. Martin
    “

    Well wasn't that charming as all get out! A wonderful short play for young actors that, frankly makes me jealous I can't play one of those parts (I would kick butt as Mr. Manticore). It's got style, it's got wordplay and most important, it's got pickles! Purple Pickles!

    Oh, and a lesson about sharing, that too.

    Well wasn't that charming as all get out! A wonderful short play for young actors that, frankly makes me jealous I can't play one of those parts (I would kick butt as Mr. Manticore). It's got style, it's got wordplay and most important, it's got pickles! Purple Pickles!

    Oh, and a lesson about sharing, that too.

    ”
  • John Busser: HOMER by Stephanie Alison Walker
    “

    Lack of empathy is a bigger killer than any physical injury. Stephanie Alison Walker perfectly illustrates this with a tale of 2 characters finding the perfect spot until a third shows up in dire straits and a decision needs to be made. To help or hoard? THAT is the question here. And by presenting the characters as... different than you think at first, it presents an interesting test of empathy on the part of the audience as well. Some will want to reach out and others, they might not even be bothered to drop a little extra popcorn.

    Lack of empathy is a bigger killer than any physical injury. Stephanie Alison Walker perfectly illustrates this with a tale of 2 characters finding the perfect spot until a third shows up in dire straits and a decision needs to be made. To help or hoard? THAT is the question here. And by presenting the characters as... different than you think at first, it presents an interesting test of empathy on the part of the audience as well. Some will want to reach out and others, they might not even be bothered to drop a little extra popcorn.

    ”
  • John Busser: Brains by Evan Baughfman
    “

    Yeah, I wondered that too. Thanks for that illuminating answer Evan. And I'm quitting Netflix first thing after the dead start to rise.

    Yeah, I wondered that too. Thanks for that illuminating answer Evan. And I'm quitting Netflix first thing after the dead start to rise.

    ”