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Joe Swenson

Recommended by Joe Swenson

  • The Silver Trio by Cole Hunter Dzubak
    7 Jan. 2022
    “ Such a fun little ride. Cole has outdone himself on this one. It's funny, has a fantastic, unexpected arc to it, and as you come down out of the arc and into the close, he creates a fun ambiguous ending. Here's the real deal though, should this only be a 9 page play? I can see this growing some legs and getting into full one act, possibly bigger. The characters are fun, the storyline is fun, there's a world of entertaining opportunities behind what Cole has created. ”
  • The Orangutan Eight by C.M. Brophy
    6 Jan. 2022
    “ Brophy navigates through an absurdist political play with a rawness that guarantees impact. Carefully woven in are unforgettable relationships, and a pace that has many dynamics to it. I would entertain the idea of seeing a staged version of Brophy's The Orangutan Eight, mostly out of desire to see an authentic portrayal of this uniquely intriguing show. Open your minds and digest what CM Brophy has to offer. ”
  • delicacy of a puffin heart by Stefani Kuo
    6 Jan. 2022
    “ Oh my, what a powerful piece of art. I was enthralled by the multi-cultural descriptions and nuances. It's a story that centers around women, relationships, existential ideals, and it's so beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. It's more than the words though, this play is well conceived through staging, through the dynamics of tension and love and loss. Two worlds in different times, crossing dimensions to connect the dots and tell an incredible story. ”
  • sixty ton angel falls to the earth by Dominica Plummer
    6 Jan. 2022
    “ What a fun, slippery, wag the tail style play Dominica has written. It's equal parts funny, poignant, and downright absurd (in a good way). How fitting that the former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld finds a way to negotiate his state of existence with the Grim Reaper in the flesh, err, bones.

    This a succinct, delicious, morality play that deserves an audience. Excellent work! ”
  • An Awkward Conversation in the Shadow of Mount Moriah by John Bavoso
    6 Jan. 2022
    “ This show is great. A father and a son and a sacrifice. What more could you want? Well for starters, I could want a laugh. Check. I could want to poke light-hearted fun at an absurd moment in the history of the Old Testament. Check. I could want some father/son bonding. Check. I could want a show that resonates in so many different realms of my life. Check Check Check.

    I loved all of the different ways John explores the concept of sacrifice through Isaac's eyes. Great show! ”
  • Front Porch by DC Cathro
    6 Jan. 2022
    “ One of those shows you have read twice. So, I read it twice and what DC is adept at doing in this short piece is building a story that is literally a step and a half to the side of the bigger story. You learn about the tragedy through the eyes and simultaneously as Candace and Paul experience it all while looking for their inconsequential cat. This is fantastic, but to really see/feel the true brilliance of DC intentions, you have to read it twice. ”
  • Cookie Cutter Christmas by Lindsay Partain
    6 Jan. 2022
    “ This is very touching. What an incredibly crafted show and as an audience member you're hoping for one little moment, one moment of change. Lindsay does an incredible job of not allowing that moment of change though and we are all better for it. Forcing Francis to find hope and life in Selena. It's brilliant and creative. ”
  • Afterall (or The Wonderwall Play) (One-Act Version) by Cole Hunter Dzubak
    6 Jan. 2022
    “ What a trip! The great thing about this unique and riveting show is the timing of when the twist is revealed. The second you suspect the nature of the twist, Cole immediately confirms it. That’s the style of this show though. From the beginning it’s in your face reality versus fiction as you find yourself justifying what seem like mistakes but are actually intentional clues to the twist! Amazing work. ”
  • OUR FAKE HISTORY by Nora Louise Syran
    6 Jan. 2022
    “ What a brilliantly thought-out concept. From the stereotypically labeled students to the grandeur of enlightening students through multiple classes throughout the day, the manipulation of history is drawn out in a fun and engaging way. Through poetry, monologues, songs, and dialogue. Sparking wonderful debates about school politics and the metaphorical relations to our political world creates a cacophony of competing tension filled moments. I could go on and on, but instead, everyone should read this, I want to see it on stage. Nora walks away with a prophetic demand! You have to read it though, it is certainly wise! ”
  • Believe Me - V3 by Rachel Feeny-Williams
    6 Jan. 2022
    “ Wow. This is an incredible tension driven show. A supreme mystery. The tension throughout was palpable. I couldn't stop reading. I didn't want to stop reading. I had to know. All of it. At no point in this amazing show do you feel confident in the innocence of anyone (Except Williams). Rachel Feeny-Williams though also puts everyone in the crosshairs of being a victim or a potential victim (Except Jenkins). I can't even imagine this as an eleven-page script. Not only do I want to see this, I want to direct this, maybe even film it. Wow! ”

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