Recommended by Ricardo Soltero-Brown

Absolutely worth its place in The Best Men's Monologue 2019 by the Applause Acting Series. What sticks out most, aside from irony, is what irony can do for layers and levels of performance. Auditioners can make just about any attitude and internal rhythm spring lots of life into this piece. Charming, surly, etc. Happy, unhappy, you name it. What's particularly special about this is that actors can find a way to personalize, experiment with, and discover the tale as they see fit, instead of being cornered into one particular way.

Comic cautionary tale of the rabbit holes one might find in the fight against ennui. Nevertheless, clever and detailed dialogue kicks in a certain excitement and smile. Loaded with material for three distinct characterizations all ultimately reaching for a moment of transcendence.

Wonderful case of craftsmanship here by Martineau, maxing out the tension and comedy to their breaking points. I read this with a smirk on my face and I mean that in the best way. Daring script analysis might posit the eighth ingredient is referenced in the text, but that just shows how much fun you can have with this one.

Devastating character study of a man torn down by his own work, dire and comic.

Charming conflict centered on the "what's done cannot be undone" fiasco. Bavoso continues to show his knack and ear for sweetheart dialogue, like the best of Robert Patrick.

Perfect representation of the struggle between personal and political life. Where is the line? Is there a possibility for reconciliation? How do they coexist? Perhaps stepping outside oneself holds a key.

Borrowing its title from an Oliver Stone film, this romp juggles tropes and plot points from a variety of horror films that will keep audiences guessing which bit of knowledge will solve the problem. The beginning, middle and end are all nicely tied to the theme of autonomy.

With echoes of Sarah Kane and Caryl Churchill, Eddy crafts a piece that transcends into equal parts fugue and immediate cerebral and bodily peace.

Clever reversal of a 2001 sequence which touches on the importance of story and companionship.

Spooky fun perfect for any one-act festival or for college students ready to perform a solid dialogue-driven, lite-set piece.