Recommended by Paul Braverman

  •

    I was fortunate enough to hear this read at the Valdez Theatre Conference. Emlyn-Jones brilliantly intersects Dante with drag-show, giving us a glorious romp through Dante's circles. This play goes from zero to one-hundred in the first minute, and keeps its foot on the gas pedal until the final curtain. Designers will have an absolute field day with set, costume, movement, make-up and lighting. This play will be a hit wherever/whenever it is performed.

    I was fortunate enough to hear this read at the Valdez Theatre Conference. Emlyn-Jones brilliantly intersects Dante with drag-show, giving us a glorious romp through Dante's circles. This play goes from zero to one-hundred in the first minute, and keeps its foot on the gas pedal until the final curtain. Designers will have an absolute field day with set, costume, movement, make-up and lighting. This play will be a hit wherever/whenever it is performed.

  •

    This highly engaging coming of age story, although set in the late 1960s, is totally relevant to these times. The enormous events of that time intersect the kind of slice-of-life challenges all young adults have to deal with. As always, Williams uses witty dialogue, believable situations and three-dimensional characters to pull us in. You don't need to be a Boomer to root for these characters or to appreciate the excellent writing.

    This highly engaging coming of age story, although set in the late 1960s, is totally relevant to these times. The enormous events of that time intersect the kind of slice-of-life challenges all young adults have to deal with. As always, Williams uses witty dialogue, believable situations and three-dimensional characters to pull us in. You don't need to be a Boomer to root for these characters or to appreciate the excellent writing.

  •

    This timely play starts with the all too believable scenario of politics dividing a family. As the play unfolds, Sheppard-Fries does a wonderful job showing us the power of empathy, as one simple act of kindness reaches across multiple generations to bridge differences and remind us of what we have in common. This play is ultimately both relevant and hopeful.

    This timely play starts with the all too believable scenario of politics dividing a family. As the play unfolds, Sheppard-Fries does a wonderful job showing us the power of empathy, as one simple act of kindness reaches across multiple generations to bridge differences and remind us of what we have in common. This play is ultimately both relevant and hopeful.

  •

    In a play that both echoes and honors Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard, Williams brings us into a very important weekend at the Simmons' summer home. He does a masterful job at keeping things moving while always taking his time. There are many relatable moments, as the family dynamic plays out. Sparkling dialogue, lots of rich details, and a couple of significant plot tilts will make this a surefire winner as a full production.

    In a play that both echoes and honors Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard, Williams brings us into a very important weekend at the Simmons' summer home. He does a masterful job at keeping things moving while always taking his time. There are many relatable moments, as the family dynamic plays out. Sparkling dialogue, lots of rich details, and a couple of significant plot tilts will make this a surefire winner as a full production.

  •

    This is a lovely, touching play from Sam Heyman. He only needs ten minutes to craft two wonderfully drawn characters and pull us in with witty dialogue and emotional honesty. The stakes become surprisingly high but Heyman shows us the strength of the sibling bond.

    This is a lovely, touching play from Sam Heyman. He only needs ten minutes to craft two wonderfully drawn characters and pull us in with witty dialogue and emotional honesty. The stakes become surprisingly high but Heyman shows us the strength of the sibling bond.

  • Paul Braverman: Turnbuckle by Ben Corbett
    “

    This short play grabbed me from the opening moment, before a word was spoken. The set-up is so creative and striking. And the play kept me locked in a full nelson throughout. This is that rare ten-minute play that manages to be funny, action-packed and utterly unpredictable as it morphs into a touching look at someone truly struggling with their identity. This great play is going to make fight choreographers drool. Highly recommend!

    This short play grabbed me from the opening moment, before a word was spoken. The set-up is so creative and striking. And the play kept me locked in a full nelson throughout. This is that rare ten-minute play that manages to be funny, action-packed and utterly unpredictable as it morphs into a touching look at someone truly struggling with their identity. This great play is going to make fight choreographers drool. Highly recommend!

    ”
  • Paul Braverman: WIN AND TIM AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PRONOUNS [A 1-MINUTE PLAY] by Steven G. Martin
    “

    Steve Martin shows us a moment that appears at first to be routine, but we quickly learn we are seeing what love looks like in daily life. Lovely.

    Steve Martin shows us a moment that appears at first to be routine, but we quickly learn we are seeing what love looks like in daily life. Lovely.

    ”
  • Paul Braverman: Erstwhile or The Birth of an Old Soul by D. Lee Miller
    “

    This thought-provoking short play from D. Lee Miller gains depth with each reading. The relationship between Letty and Mari is somehow both old and new, as each character wrestles with both what is real and what comes next. The play raises more questions than it answers, but makes very clear the inter-connectedness of all.

    This thought-provoking short play from D. Lee Miller gains depth with each reading. The relationship between Letty and Mari is somehow both old and new, as each character wrestles with both what is real and what comes next. The play raises more questions than it answers, but makes very clear the inter-connectedness of all.

    ”
  • Paul Braverman: ERSTWHILE [A MONOLOGUE] by Steven G. Martin
    “

    Steve Marin has carefully crafted a monologue wherein every day events flow by, yet something both large and subtle is taking place. This is Garret's last day volunteering. The details of both his present and his past inform his decision. We don't need to know those details to be fully engaged in this piece that is somehow both cheerful and melancholy.

    Steve Marin has carefully crafted a monologue wherein every day events flow by, yet something both large and subtle is taking place. This is Garret's last day volunteering. The details of both his present and his past inform his decision. We don't need to know those details to be fully engaged in this piece that is somehow both cheerful and melancholy.

    ”
  • Paul Braverman: The Prime Cut by Aly Kantor
    “

    Aly Kantor's relatable ten-minute play pulls you in immediately with the sense that we're starting in the middle. Thus, we care about the characters and the troubling weight loss. It's compelling watching Darcy rationalize her weight loss as Lena gently reminds her what is actually important. Kantor does an excellent job at showing the impact of the societal pressure created by body shaming. By the end of the play, you will want Darcy eating more sliders, named or otherwise. Well done! (see what I did there?)

    Aly Kantor's relatable ten-minute play pulls you in immediately with the sense that we're starting in the middle. Thus, we care about the characters and the troubling weight loss. It's compelling watching Darcy rationalize her weight loss as Lena gently reminds her what is actually important. Kantor does an excellent job at showing the impact of the societal pressure created by body shaming. By the end of the play, you will want Darcy eating more sliders, named or otherwise. Well done! (see what I did there?)

    ”