Recommended by Peter Dakutis

  • Duck, Duck, Goose
    17 Feb. 2021
    This is the second of three fable/folktales by Max Langert that I've read, and it's as much fun as the first (Snickerdoodles and Disco). The characters are charming, there are lots of laughs, there's a dance number, and Langert slyly slips in a moral. What more could you ask for? The sheer joy of the piece should make it attractive to many kinds of theatres. Looking forward to reading the third (Life in the Arctic) and hoping Langert writes more fable/folktales.
  • The Tale of the User Agreement
    16 Feb. 2021
    This is a clever take on the Rumpelstiltskin story, with some nice twists and lots of laughs. It's a great reminder that no one should take user agreements lightly. It should be a hit with ten-minute play festivals, especially those with a fairy tale theme. It worked well in a Zoom production I saw and should be even more enjoyable in a live performance.
  • On the Porch
    16 Feb. 2021
    I had the pleasure of seeing this recently and thought it was terrific. It's great to see a play that centers two mature women and is filled with wit and wisdom. While it will be a hit in women's shorts festivals, it shouldn't be considered as strictly a women's play. Men of a certain age can relate to the comments on aging, even if the specifics aren't the same. I found myself laughing out loud and nodding my head numerous times. Lamedman's insights and humor provide great solace. Bonus points for the Pink Floyd reference!
  • Snickerdoodles and Disco
    6 Feb. 2021
    This is a cute play, filled with delicious whimsy and lots of great bits of physical humor. I could see it being a hit with high schools and colleges, along with sketch troupes. It's a fun read and tastier than a snickerdoodle!
  • The Time You Were Away (a monologue)
    6 Feb. 2021
    A dark comedy, indeed! I saw the Urban Stages production, beautifully done, and found it fascinating. Scott Sickles creates a complex character who's villainous, yet tender toward her captive. By avoiding histrionics, Sickles makes Justine even more chilling. This one will stay with you for a while.
  • failing at a 1-page play festival
    21 Jan. 2021
    John Mabey has crafted a delightful one-page play about the torments involved in play submissions. Even Satan the tormentor is tormented! Is Mabey devilishly suggesting there might be a little of Satan in all of us?
  • MY PARADISE ISLAND
    24 Dec. 2020
    Seems like even on an island paradise, you can't escape the annoyances life brings us. Jack Levine takes his humorous premise and gleefully runs with it, giving us lots of laughs along the way.
  • Meta-Morphosis (An Online Comedy)
    13 Dec. 2020
    Meta-Morphosis combines the hallmarks of Ken Preuss's work--quirky characters, a keen sense of the absurd, and a big dollop of humanity--to create another delightful treat. I had the pleasure of seeing a holiday version of it performed by the Bell Road Barn Players, but this play would be a joy in any season. It's educational, too. Thanks to Preuss, I now know that sploshing is officially a thing.
  • LIGHTS UP!
    22 Nov. 2020
    As someone who has sat through a number of plays (mine included) in which actors seem to be randomly moving about the stage, I am totally here for this marvelous play, in which an egotistical actor receives his comeuppance. Levine expertly generates big laughs with his well-drawn characters. I wanted this clever scenario to go on longer. Playwrights will love this, theatres should be required to produce it, and actors should be required to see it.
  • AND SCENE
    18 Nov. 2020
    Lermond takes you on a sweet ride with this monologue. Art and life merge together in a delightful way that'll leave you smiling.

Pages