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John Mabey

Recommended by John Mabey

  • THE BIG NAP by Charles Scott Jones
    1 Feb. 2023
    “ I'm a big fan of works that pay homage to noir and mystery, and in THE BIG NAP we meet two characters with that easy short-hand of longing and big dreams. Charles Scott Jones writes them with a skillful undercurrent of both desperation and hope (aptly naming the characters in that regard, too). This is a strong scene that could also be part of a larger work as so much detail has gone into the characters and the expansive world. ”
  • Y & Z by Christopher Plumridge
    1 Feb. 2023
    “ A skilled playwright knows how to explore the action in a thriller where what we see in our own minds is just as horrifying. And in Y & Z, Christopher Plumridge has crafted a tense exchange between two characters where what we hear and what we imagine is absolutely terrifying. The sharp and precise dialogue cuts at the perfect moments for this thriller with an ending that makes you question everything that came before. ”
  • Never Again by Donna Hoke
    1 Feb. 2023
    “ In NEVER AGAIN by Donna Hoke, the world of 'The Lottery' opens up even more about the values we hold dear, scapegoating, and a mob mentality. As a fan of the original short story, I was so engrossed in the world that Hoke created in this play, meeting the author and those in her publishing circle. Facing the same issues that also resonate in the short story, NEVER AGAIN navigates the connected themes with both subtlety and a sharp focus. This play is a great companion piece to the short story and wonderful art on its own. ”
  • She's Blown Away by Vince Gatton
    1 Feb. 2023
    “ I always know with a play by Vince Gatton that I'll meet great characters and discover so much emotional truth, surprising me in the best ways. In SHE'S BLOWN AWAY, I was immediately engaged by the realistic dialogue and distinctive personalities of these teen characters. And in just 10 minutes there were layers of additional meaning about gender and boundaries that completely immersed me in this world. This is a work with powerful subtle moments that performers and directors will love to interpret and explore. ”
  • TIME WOUNDS ALL HEELS by Glenn Alterman
    8 Jan. 2023
    “ Glenn Alterman is an expert in crafting dynamic stories for the stage. And in TIME WOUNDS ALL HEELS, we witness a relationship that unfolds to reveal the depths of friendship and the costs of betrayal. As their mentor-like relationship unravels, both characters make decisions that both surprise and change their relationship forever. The key moments throughout are expertly plotted, making this a great addition for both virtual and stage productions. ”
  • Arbor Falls by Caridad Svich
    8 Nov. 2022
    “ There's an amazing moment in this play that made me gasp and close my eyes to imagine the ways in which it could be staged, and there were many ways. In ARBOR FALLS, I connected so deeply with the shape of spirituality in the lives of these characters. Caridad Svich presents the dialogue in such poetic and creative ways throughout, giving those reading the text an extra layer of meaning to incorporate into their performance and our imaginations. This is a play that will stay with me and continue to reveal even deeper meanings the more I reflect. ”
  • The Ultimate Christmas Question by Rachel Feeny-Williams
    27 Oct. 2022
    “ In THE ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS QUESTION, Rachel Feeny-Williams explores all the wonderful awkwardness of a blind date at Christmastime. As the two explore their tastes in films of the season, their differences escalate into an ending that's both satisfying and deserving of its own 'Christmas moment.' The great rhythms of the dialogue also make this a wonderful piece for performers to showcase a variety of emotions with plenty of laughs along the way. ”
  • The Hobby Haunting by Rachel Feeny-Williams
    27 Oct. 2022
    “ In THE HOBBY HAUNTING, Rachel Feeny-Williams showcases inspired staging and characters in a fantastical comedy. Exploring grounded themes of relationships and individual purpose, the heightened characters and situations give so much room for play as well. And the four quadrants of staging are both creative and functional as the play progresses toward its satisfying end. ”
  • The Assumption of Love by Debbie Lamedman
    20 Oct. 2022
    “ Inspiration for plays comes in many forms, and in THE ASSUMPTION OF LOVE, Debbie Lamedman has found hers in a painting by Edward Hopper. With poignant dialogue and unexpected characters, the play reveals itself in emotional layers that feel so authentic to the era. The tone of the play is both delicate and bold, packed with subtext and an ending that draws you back into the painting itself. A beautiful interpretation of the painting that creates an even greater art. ”
  • WATER MUSIC, a ten-minute drama by Arianna Rose
    7 Oct. 2022
    “ Strangers who meet and impact each other’s lives are some of the most powerful stories. And in WATER MUSIC, Arianna Rose presents an encounter that reveals itself in poignant layers, each unexpected moment leading to the next. This is a special piece with heart, humor, and especially honesty. The characters will definitely stay with me. ”

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