Recommended by Brynn Hambley

  • What's in the Basement, Honey?
    3 May. 2024
    One of those plays that shows that following the ridiculous, the seemingly "too camp" or "too unbelievable", is most definitely the right move. This play spoke to me deeply, made me laugh, and made me think. I would love to see it onstage, but I also think it would make for a magnificent short film. Kudos to the playwright for packing so much meaning into a tiny package.
  • Revenge of Eve
    26 Apr. 2024
    I am struck by how strong the themes are in this piece--power and community rippled through every scene. As someone who was raised Catholic (and no longer is one) this play also connected deeply to me emotionally. I very much WAS Raven as an older teenager, and watching her journey through the play was incredibly engaging. As a playwright, I will be returning to this piece to continue learning about how one can use power imbalances effectively. Beautiful play!
  • Bad in Bed (A Fairy Tale)
    18 Apr. 2024
    An absolutely delightful comedy full of word-play and physical humor that highlights why listening is perhaps the most important part of a relationship. I liked how Saari displayed Charles' subtle (and not intentional!) misogyny, showing that society really does teach men some harmful things-- but that they can be unlearned. A very positive play overall with lovely, bubbly, and realistic characters.
  • Do Not Resuscitate: A Mini Play About The Able-Bodied
    11 Apr. 2024
    As a disabled playwright, I adored this little work. I found it hilarious and terrifying at the same time (and not just because the characters had tentacle arms-- spoiler alert!), which reminded me of satirical cartoons like The Simpsons and South Park in some ways. Seeing this on stage would be a hoot, what with all the potential for slap-stick-esque humor, but I think it would also get a very important point across that I think a lot of able-bodied people ignore: that the world at large views us as a burden, and that's incorrect. Great little play!
  • Backyard Stonehenge
    4 Apr. 2024
    This short but sweet play was a refreshing read. I liked how it showed an impactful scene from everyday life, proving that stories don't need to have crazy high stakes to be meaningful. The romance is realistic, and that's what makes it a joy to read (or watch, I assume!). There are speed bumps in every relationship-- the interesting part from a storyteller or audience perspective is how the couple gets over those speed bumps. Overall I greatly enjoyed reading this work.
  • PSYCHOPSYCHOTIC, or, everyone at yale is a goddamn sociopath !!!
    28 Mar. 2024
    A masterful use of allegory/extended metaphor, pacing, and atmosphere that beautifully calls out colleges for not doing enough to protect their women, femme, and AFAB students. I absolutely adore works that use horror as a tool to unveil the visceral, and yet sometimes invisible, experiences that women and femmes go through, and Psychopsychotic does this very intelligently. I would love to see this staged!
  • Yeah, Art Figures
    21 Mar. 2024
    As a teacher, this play felt like everything I've been saying to people for years. It shows both sides of an issue that a lot of people have strong feelings about, and displays how care, kindness, and empathy can truly be what gets a student to participate and do better in class. I loved how fleshed out and complex the two main characters felt-- honestly, I connected to Joni very deeply. It made the issue very real to see it discussed between two people whom it affects every day. Brilliant. Non-teachers should definitely read!
  • The Annexation
    17 Mar. 2024
    A short but sharp experimental examination of the ending of a years long relationship. This play feels like it deeply understands the emotions and experiences that a person goes through at this point in their life. The Annexation is atmospheric in a visceral way that I adored. I would love to see this play performed!
  • One Night Only
    8 Mar. 2024
    An intimate look at a historical figure we all know and love. This may be a two hander, but much like others I have recently read, it's more like a solo show that happens to have an assistant (which I adore). It is clear that Bender did her research when creating her version of the famed magician, emphasizing his troubled relationships with his family in a way that really highlighted the work's message. The parallels between Houdini's escapes and the audience/public's natural inclination towards escapism was especially gratifying. Well done.
  • INFERNA
    28 Feb. 2024
    A beautiful piece that demonstrates how evangelical Christianity as well as patriarchal theatrical spaces can be hotbeds of abuse, without going down the doom and gloom route. This feminist work has such a consistent message of hope in the face of a world that often tells anyone who isn't a cis white man to sit down and shut up. INFERNA is a great example of impactful autobiographical work, and shows that not all one-person shows have to only have one actor! I would love to see this on stage one day.

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