Recommended by Peter Dakutis

  • She

    by Heather Lee Wallen

    I love this monologue, in which one woman describes her love for her same-sex partner in language that is lyrical and filled with vivid imagery that evokes the senses. It is honest and straightforward, and you are taken on a journey with the speaker as she becomes a stronger person. There is so much beauty here in style and substance, along with great hope for a better future for us all.

    I love this monologue, in which one woman describes her love for her same-sex partner in language that is lyrical and filled with vivid imagery that evokes the senses. It is honest and straightforward, and you are taken on a journey with the speaker as she becomes a stronger person. There is so much beauty here in style and substance, along with great hope for a better future for us all.

  •

    This is a cute and funny play I had the pleasure of seeing recently. There are several good roles for kids with opportunities for them to show off their acting skills by adding bits of stage business. The kids onstage were having a great time, as were the kids in the audience. There was plenty of humor that entertained the adults as well; no one was looking at their phones or watches. This would be an excellent choice for theatre camps.

    This is a cute and funny play I had the pleasure of seeing recently. There are several good roles for kids with opportunities for them to show off their acting skills by adding bits of stage business. The kids onstage were having a great time, as were the kids in the audience. There was plenty of humor that entertained the adults as well; no one was looking at their phones or watches. This would be an excellent choice for theatre camps.

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    One of the hallmarks of the US legal system is that everyone is entitled to a vigorous legal defense. But what if you're a lesbian lawyer defending a homophobic couple and your wife doesn't approve of your taking the case? This is an excellent example of a "problem play": it's even-handed and thought-provoking, while engaging and satisfying as a piece of theatre. Donnelly does a great job of giving us a lot to contemplate.

    One of the hallmarks of the US legal system is that everyone is entitled to a vigorous legal defense. But what if you're a lesbian lawyer defending a homophobic couple and your wife doesn't approve of your taking the case? This is an excellent example of a "problem play": it's even-handed and thought-provoking, while engaging and satisfying as a piece of theatre. Donnelly does a great job of giving us a lot to contemplate.

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    This is a sweet play about a father's acceptance of his transgender daughter. It's almost a fairy tale, but acceptance should be that simple and that complete. Unfortunately, it's tempered by the reality that politicians manufacture transphobic outrage to gain power. It won't be an easy road ahead for Billie and her family, but acceptance, love, and communication give them, and us, hope.

    This is a sweet play about a father's acceptance of his transgender daughter. It's almost a fairy tale, but acceptance should be that simple and that complete. Unfortunately, it's tempered by the reality that politicians manufacture transphobic outrage to gain power. It won't be an easy road ahead for Billie and her family, but acceptance, love, and communication give them, and us, hope.

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    What begins as a stereotypical encounter at a bar on St. Patrick's Day becomes a hauntingly beautiful evocation of Irish folklore. Audiences won't know where it's going, but they'll be glad they took this journey. James McLindon lays it out perfectly.

    What begins as a stereotypical encounter at a bar on St. Patrick's Day becomes a hauntingly beautiful evocation of Irish folklore. Audiences won't know where it's going, but they'll be glad they took this journey. James McLindon lays it out perfectly.

  • Peter Dakutis: Meaning Well by Rachel Feeny-Williams
    “

    This romantic comedy by Rachel Feeny-Williams is delicious. Dan is cooking dinner for his wife Claire, who's had a bad day at work. Or is he? Could Dan be putting on a clever show? Feeny-Williams certainly is, and it's a show with a very satisfying ending. Audiences will eat it up.

    This romantic comedy by Rachel Feeny-Williams is delicious. Dan is cooking dinner for his wife Claire, who's had a bad day at work. Or is he? Could Dan be putting on a clever show? Feeny-Williams certainly is, and it's a show with a very satisfying ending. Audiences will eat it up.

    ”
  • Peter Dakutis: Tough (Monologue)
    “

    Wow, I loved this comic monologue, spoken by a truly American original named Walter, who embodies, for better or worse, that can-do spirit. It's laugh out loud funny and calls to mind a vein of humor employed by Mark Twain and Bret Harte. Even with the satire, I found myself admiring and empathizing with this old coot. Excellently done!

    Wow, I loved this comic monologue, spoken by a truly American original named Walter, who embodies, for better or worse, that can-do spirit. It's laugh out loud funny and calls to mind a vein of humor employed by Mark Twain and Bret Harte. Even with the satire, I found myself admiring and empathizing with this old coot. Excellently done!

    ”
  • Peter Dakutis: Love Locks Bridge (a 10 minute play) by D. Lee Miller
    “

    D. Lee Miller describes Love Locks Bridge as a short, joyous play. She left out funny, sweet, and adorable. It's a lovely meditation on love and connections. With two great roles for women, this play deserves to be seen and not locked away. Even Albert Camus would love it!

    D. Lee Miller describes Love Locks Bridge as a short, joyous play. She left out funny, sweet, and adorable. It's a lovely meditation on love and connections. With two great roles for women, this play deserves to be seen and not locked away. Even Albert Camus would love it!

    ”
  • Peter Dakutis: Your Move, Sprinkles (one-minute play) by Matthew Weaver
    “

    This absurdly hilarious piece is reminiscent of the Marx Brothers at their best. Read it and laugh out loud as a master chess player demonstrates what he has learned from Sprinkles the cat. A work of genius!

    This absurdly hilarious piece is reminiscent of the Marx Brothers at their best. Read it and laugh out loud as a master chess player demonstrates what he has learned from Sprinkles the cat. A work of genius!

    ”
  • Peter Dakutis: Sisyphus's Interview (A One-Minute Play) by Marcia Eppich-Harris
    “

    Marcia Eppich-Harris's hilarious origin story for Sisyphus is very clever. It also offers a sly look at the lengths writers will go to when procrastinating. Superbly done!

    Marcia Eppich-Harris's hilarious origin story for Sisyphus is very clever. It also offers a sly look at the lengths writers will go to when procrastinating. Superbly done!

    ”