Recommended by Melissa Schmitz

  • Artemisia
    2 Nov. 2023
    ARTEMISIA has everything! Art, feminism, lots of swearing, sex, an Italian duke, good writing - what else could you possibly want? Artemisia's life and the stories her paintings tell are deliciously woven together in this story about a real-life artist from 17th century Italy. ARTEMISIA has a long life ahead of it and will definitely help keep Lauren Gunderson on the "most-produced" lists where she belongs!
  • The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
    6 Nov. 2022
    John Minigan has crafted a fun and compelling solo adaptation of THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW that offers a delightfully challenging tour de force for the actor tasked with performing it. A great opportunity for a dynamic character actor looking to demonstrate or extend their range in a show is pretty much guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
  • CYRANO ON THE MOON
    4 Nov. 2022
    In CYRANO ON THE MOON, Monica Cross imagines a sequel in which our heroes earn a happier ending in the afterlife in this magical, whimsical short play that still allows time for swash-buckling and romance. Delightful.
  • The Violet Sisters
    4 Nov. 2022
    THE VIOLET SISTERS by Gina Femia is a play I still think about even though I read it a few years ago. If you want a two-hander with strong female leads, suspense, dynamic characters that actors can really sink their teeth into, realistic dialog, and a play about family, look no further. Highly highly recommend.
  • Teenage Dick (vaguely from Richard III)
    4 Nov. 2022
    From the provocative title to the shocking conclusion, TEENAGE DICK by Mike Lew is a captivating, modern adaptation of RICHARD III that builds suspense with each scene, even when you "know" what's going to happen. The dramaturgy is tight, the dialog is realistic, even the names are clever, and it's one of the best plays I've read in the past few years. Highly recommend.
  • A Christmas Carol (But not as you know it!)
    4 Nov. 2022
    Rachel Feeny-Williams' UNTITLED CHRISTMAS PRODUCTION takes the Dickens classic, modernizes it, swaps some gender roles, adds some slapstick, and delivers a delightful adaptation for those looking for a fun alternative to their holiday lineup.
  • Noir Hamlet -- Festival Version
    4 Nov. 2022
    In NOIR HAMLET, John Minigan achieves the impossible. He takes Shakespeare's beloved tragedy and turns it into a short, fun, comedy, while maintaining that familiar storyline. If you like HAMLET, but you need a play that's not so heavy or long and you have a small cast, look no further. Highly recommend.
  • The Three Sisters of Weehawken
    4 Nov. 2022
    THE THREE SISTERS OF WEEHAWKEN by Deborah Zoe Laufer is a biting satire of the Chekhov classic. I inhaled it on a flight to NYC, which was very serendipitous given the ending of the play. Hilarious from start to finish and a great script for four character actresses. Highly recommend.
  • Happy Birthday, Julio
    9 Aug. 2022
    In 3 pages, Cole constructs a suspenseful, heart-wrenching tale of three people who are faced with an act of senseless violence and are forced to endure the collateral damage.