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Joe Swenson

Recommended by Joe Swenson

  • Blind Justice by Jeff Dunne
    24 Jan. 2024
    “ Wow! Just wow. This has so much tension, but the ending, the ending slays it. I hope that 18 years from now that we haven't unleashed AI to this extreme. Jeff covers it all, everything you think about, he gets to it. It makes you hate AI. This is a brilliant piece of art that is just dying to be produced in various ways. I was hooked by the year (2042), but then how compelling is Pamela. Incredibly compelling. Dunne keeps ratcheting it up and doesn't stop. Doesn't slow it down. Amazing show. ”
  • ON ROBOTS AND RAINDROPS by Monica Cross
    24 Jan. 2024
    “ Love this show. I had the honor of direct Monica Cross' show for the Loved Ones Audio Fiction Podcast. It's such a heartfelt story of using love to keep on living. The robot concept is brilliant and not too far away from being a potential reality. Billy though, what a brilliant character, the arc is tremendous. Monica uses subtle advances throughout the script to push Billy out of her comfort zone and into her living zone. All at an incredibly believable pace for this short play. Love this play! ”
  • Ties That Bind by Nancy Temple
    24 Jan. 2024
    “ I can't believe I'm the first to recommend this piece. Nancy brings the tension in this show about a daughter who is quietly shutting her adopted mother out of her wedding because she feels betrayed. Nancy shapes this in a way that shows Carols stamina, patience, and poise all in the name of loving her adopted daughter. Nancy patiently writes Kim's lines like a brush of acceptance and tolerance, but through the teeth of mistrust. This is a truly beautiful piece and I'm so glad I have the opportunity to produce this in the Loved Ones Audio Fiction Podcast! ”
  • For Mr. Cuddles by Erin Moughon
    24 Jan. 2024
    “ Brilliant piece of work from Erin Moughon. She takes what at first seems to be a situational comedy at it's core and bends it on us. Twists us up and turns it into a murder mystery, but as she continues to bend the art, she twists us up again. Ultimately this is a story about love and all of the obstacles that can get in that way of that between siblings. Including the death of a beloved cat. Highly recommend. ”
  • Prewritten by Erin Moughon
    24 Jan. 2024
    “ The build is incredible. The love between Angie and Cassidy is beautiful despite the circumstances. The part that gets you, the part that breaks your heart is that Erin pulls no punches. This is a show that will speak to every teacher. My wife is a teacher and when she read this show, she wept, she knew right away that Erin understood. That teachers make plans, then contingency plans. Cassidy is a powerhouse role as well. She's wonderful for all the right reasons and gets it. Heartbreaking and so beautifully written! Thank you for this show. ”
  • Hanging On For Near Life by John Busser
    24 Jan. 2024
    “ This show is brilliant. It's unique and captured in a way that really twists you up and makes you question reality in itself. It makes you wish you parents were around, but then ultimately understand why maybe it's okay that they're not, maybe. Three wonderful characters each with different goals in mind until things start to twist. Ultimately a show about love, love for your kids, love for your 'ma'

    Including this show in the Loved Ones Audio Fiction Podcast was a no-brainer and a favorite amongst directions. It's a beautiful show! ”
  • Ahavah by David Lipschutz
    24 Jan. 2024
    “ Opting to leave the rec here as there's more on Dana's version. Ahavah, meaning 'to love' in Hebrew, is a beautiful story. There are so many layers of love in Ahavah that it was a no-brainer to include the Loved Ones Audio Fiction Podcast.

    Saul's desire to impress his family for their love, not trusting they'll love who he truly is. Alice's undying love for Saul and Saul's transparency with Alice reflect love, but ultimately this show is a show about discovery and how love can reveal knowledge and ultimately reflection on what it means to love. Beautiful. ”
  • Table 27 by Ryan Armstrong
    24 Jan. 2024
    “ A beautiful play. One that literally wants to get you out of your seat and get moving. What's so great about it is that it's a play about enthusiasm, energy, and aging. You root for Ryan's characters from the beginning of the show through the end. Highly recommend. ”
  • Time to Talk by Christopher Soucy
    24 Jan. 2024
    “ Such a beautiful play. It starts off as an awkward getting to know, but Christopher picks up the pace quickly and reveals on time the twist, so that you can get to the waterworks. Time to Talk is in the Loved Ones Series Podcast (Broken Arts Entertainment) and I had the pleasure of directing the show. It's beautiful, has a wonderful arc and leaves you with both an ache in your heart, but hope for the future. Highly recommend this show. ”
  • Elvis at Pemberley by John Patrick Bray
    28 Dec. 2023
    “ A truly lovely play about teenage, um, love? Maybe, it's confusing. The characters aren't confusing, the story-line isn't confusing. John Patrick Bray takes us on a bit of a journey from prior to narrative in front of us to the future of a Brian and Erin, mostly immediate future. It's filled with confusion, and defining without defining, and embarrassment and all the things that teenagers feel when they like someone, but are unsure of it. John also properly defines a character not in the show in demonstrating Heather's rejection. Beautiful show. ”

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