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John Patrick Bray

Recommended by John Patrick Bray

  • The Butterfly Anchor by Darrin Friedman
    19 Feb. 2024
    “ It is such a treat to read a play written by someone who is sure in their craft, guiding the reader from one moment to the next, foregrounding rich and nuanced characters who all feel like real people just trying to make sense out of human desires and mortality. Friedman's play is emotionally resonant, but never saccharine. It's honest. The most surprising arc is that of Katherine, Brian's mother; I won't say more here because you should experience the play yourself. These are great roles and I truly hope to see it produced. ”
  • ACCIDENTALLY UNLIKE A MONSTER by Charles Scott Jones
    6 Nov. 2023
    “ Zevon. Female werewolf. Detox. An ice bucket. We watch Wesley attempt to come to the reality of his situation: he is lost. He doesn’t know which city he’s in, but that doesn’t matter. Being lost isn’t about geography. Any city. Every city. There’s the lie of sobriety and the hope for some kind of redemption. Is this pretty young woman a manifestation of himself, someone he lost, or the recognition that without her wearing the mask he himself is the monster in the room? A terrific short play! ”
  • Did you do the thing yet, Joe? by Christopher Plumridge
    29 Sep. 2023
    “ Spooky. Hilarious. Metatheatrical. Fast. Plausible. Scott Sickles and Arnold. CJS. Too much fun.

    But. I am uncertain.

    Did you do the thing yet, Joe?
    10/10 ”
  • An Image of Love by William Triplett
    7 Jul. 2023
    “ A sincere examination of longing and heartache. Marriages are complicated. Messy. Peter and Helen understand the complexities of the heart and how the past can haunt. Triplett writes fully realized characters, and his command of dialogue is so strong it is hard to imagine Peter and Helen aren’t real people. The final tableau is perfect. Truly well done! ”
  • The Remarkably Unremarkable Crucifixion of Emma Reynolds by Daniel Prillaman
    2 Apr. 2023
    “ I am sitting here, reading this monologue on Palm Sunday. I saw a play earlier this week where a man, telling his life story, said that he has found a way to remain awake while going under anesthesia; he can now feel the drug working and can catch the second before he goes under. He will do the same right before he dies. It unnerved me. Prillaman is doing something similar here. He's catching a moment. An awful moment. And just letting it hang there. Suspended. While life continues all around you. ”
  • The Get-Together by Daniel Prillaman
    2 Apr. 2023
    “ Atmospheric. Mysterious. The Get-Together crawls under your skin and stays there. Lives there. This play relies so much on sound in the best possible way. I wish there were a way to watch it with headphones on to truly feel the effect; HP Lovecraft channeled through William Castle. Truly glorious! ”
  • His Girl Watson: A Sherlock Noir by Kevin Cirone
    12 Mar. 2023
    “ I am a Holmes enthusiast (maybe a snob?), and *this* is a play that begs to be produced! A love letter to the Canon and various adaptations (Elementary, Laurie King, the Rathbone/Bruce series - there is even a Woman in Green!), Cirone has pulled off a hat trick: His Girl Watson is a wonderful pastiche that manages to bring something fresh, something new to the world of Holmes, with crackling dialogue, rich characters, excellent world building, and a mystery worthy of the Master Detective. The last pages are emotionally rich and well-earned. Someone please produce this play! ”
  • Where The Lost Children Play by Hannah Lee DeFrates
    25 Feb. 2023
    “ When we're young we have a sacred space - free from the rules of our society, free from notions of order and contagion - where we can build worlds with our minds and allegiances with our hearts. We meet a group that has a sacred space in a stairwell. It is their Neverland (Willowhaven). Outside this space is heavy, dangerous, mysterious; and so heartbreakingly real. Hannah Lee DeFrates gives us new vocabulary to consider war, casualties, fascism, magic, and hope - hope above all. This is a very moving play with rich, nuanced characters and strong world building. Perfect. ”
  • I Have No Words by Christopher Plumridge
    15 Feb. 2023
    “ This is not only an important play, but also an important real-life document depicting the human condition in a straight-forward, non-melodramatic way during a time of war. What Plumridge has done as playwright is act as a journalist, a documentarian, and the result is captivating. What makes this piece even more heartbreaking is the fact that here we are one year later and there is no end in sight. I encourage all to read this monologue which gives insight and humanity to the victims of war. ”
  • The Isle of Lizzbo: A VERY SHORT Jukebox Musical Based on the Music of Our Queen Mother… Lizzo by Debra A. Cole
    11 Feb. 2023
    “ I had a wonderful time reading this short, empowering musical. Lizzo would bless the project I’m sure! ”

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