Recommended by Brian James Polak

  • Brian James Polak: ANOTHER KIND OF LOVE by Crystal Skillman
    “

    This play's got punk heart and soul, as does it's author. The characters are raw and real, the story is deep, and the songs soar. My great regret is having missed it when it came to Chicago, but I would travel to see this bad-ass play and hope I (and the world) get another chance to see it.

    This play's got punk heart and soul, as does it's author. The characters are raw and real, the story is deep, and the songs soar. My great regret is having missed it when it came to Chicago, but I would travel to see this bad-ass play and hope I (and the world) get another chance to see it.

    ”
  • Brian James Polak: Border Grammar (The Play) by Dolores Díaz
    “

    This is a clever and hilarious short play about a grammar vigilante who may have gone too far. The language is snappy and moves quickly. It was a joy to read and would be a joy to see performed.

    This is a clever and hilarious short play about a grammar vigilante who may have gone too far. The language is snappy and moves quickly. It was a joy to read and would be a joy to see performed.

    ”
  • Brian James Polak: the living'life of the daughter mira by Matthew Paul Olmos
    “

    This is one of the best plays I have encountered in the past few years. It is poetic and theatrical and has a powerful emotional engine.

    This is one of the best plays I have encountered in the past few years. It is poetic and theatrical and has a powerful emotional engine.

    ”
  • Brian James Polak: Colonel's Chicken: A Fairy Tale by Carrie Barrett
    “

    Colonel's Chicken: A Fairy Tale is a funny and theatrical fantasia with a wonderful heart, and makes this vegetarian crave chicken.

    Colonel's Chicken: A Fairy Tale is a funny and theatrical fantasia with a wonderful heart, and makes this vegetarian crave chicken.

    ”
  • Brian James Polak: The Burdens by Matt Schatz
    “

    This brilliant, hilarious, and sneakily emotional two-hander is one of my favorite (currently) unproduced plays. I'm hoping this play gets its due and is programmed all over the country.

    This brilliant, hilarious, and sneakily emotional two-hander is one of my favorite (currently) unproduced plays. I'm hoping this play gets its due and is programmed all over the country.

    ”
  • Brian James Polak: Queen by Madhuri Shekar
    “

    "Queen" will teach you something about science, research, bees, and yourself. This is my favorite play from Madhuri (probably until I see her next one).

    "Queen" will teach you something about science, research, bees, and yourself. This is my favorite play from Madhuri (probably until I see her next one).

    ”
  • Brian James Polak: Cambodian Rock Band by Lauren Yee
    “

    This is one of the best new plays I've encountered in a very long time. It's powerful, funny, theatrical, and full of excellent music. I hope this play gets produced all over the world.

    This is one of the best new plays I've encountered in a very long time. It's powerful, funny, theatrical, and full of excellent music. I hope this play gets produced all over the world.

    ”
  • Brian James Polak: Black Super Hero Magic Mama by Inda Craig-Galván
    “

    Joining the chorus of praise for this fantastic play. This is an important piece of drama written in a thrilling and theatrical style. I can't wait to see it on stages across the country.

    Joining the chorus of praise for this fantastic play. This is an important piece of drama written in a thrilling and theatrical style. I can't wait to see it on stages across the country.

    ”
  • Brian James Polak: Magnetic North by William Donnelly
    “

    When I first started writing, Bill's plays were amongst the group of new works I would read and find an immense excitement about the craft. His plays helped motivate me to be a playwright. There is a wonderful poetic sparseness to his pages, requiring a deeper engagement from the reader and "Magnetic North" is no exception. It tells a story we've read before, but with a beautiful depth and sincerity often missing from stories about relationships. This play is humorous, emotional, intimate, and deeply identifiable.

    When I first started writing, Bill's plays were amongst the group of new works I would read and find an immense excitement about the craft. His plays helped motivate me to be a playwright. There is a wonderful poetic sparseness to his pages, requiring a deeper engagement from the reader and "Magnetic North" is no exception. It tells a story we've read before, but with a beautiful depth and sincerity often missing from stories about relationships. This play is humorous, emotional, intimate, and deeply identifiable.

    ”