Recommended by Ricardo Soltero-Brown

  • WACKY JACKIE AND AUNT EVANGELINE: A ONE-ACT PLAY
    5 Nov. 2017
    Wyndham captures two versions of one thing here through two characters, one a common sight within a Wal-Mart, the other more upsettingly seen in a city park. This one-act pits two diametrically opposed understandings and search-missions for the concept of home, and although at times comical, it never feels patronizing towards its subjects. These characters are angry and on edge, but impressively not cartoons or caricatures. There's an underlying desperation, a sense of being lost, hence a searching or destination-seeking on both their parts.
  • MOSTLY CLOUDY
    4 Nov. 2017
    Plain, pure, simple fun, which is always recommended. A brief and philosophical curiosity into modern dating, millennial discourse, and - the always tricky - gender relations; it's ultimately cerebral, but in no way untoward. Sit back, relax, and laugh a little, then see what this cloud morphs into. You might be surprised.
  • Open
    3 Nov. 2017
    Dunn has a fine play here about communication; is it any easier with someone you love, does it get easier over time? It's rather effective, the moment this youthful marriage considers what it is and isn't about. The husband and wife seem genuinely vulnerable as they reflect upon and consider a proposition, as well as its implications. It's a delicate bit of soul-searching that should play out rather poignantly.
  • Flies at the Nativity
    27 Oct. 2017
    My favorite Wakefield Mystery play has always been the crucifiers doing their job. Weaver's twisted tale comes up next. The Second Shepherds' Play can wait.
  • Teatime
    27 Oct. 2017
    Cowley again proves that everything is a love story, one way or another. Love of self, love of another, love of purpose, love of life, love for it all. It can go on and on. Love. That's all it is, and Cowley's who I point to for proof. I have before, I will again. From a technical standpoint, there's no reason to half-ass this; give it its due, please. Everyone will be pleased. Some extra time on light and sound cues, so what? So be it. Still, for a set, Cowley notes that all this need be is a table.
  • SANDY: A SUPERCENTER EMPLOYEE MONOLOGUE
    27 Oct. 2017
    The monologuist in Drama is a curious entity; subjectively rare, objectively nebulous, quite commonly a daring diamond in the rough, ultimately, perhaps circumstantially, unsurpassable. Some theatres won't consider them for seasons. They are, in fact, the exception to the rule. How do you create Drama, that is to say, Conflict, without reply or retort? Some would argue the construct of One Vs. Self; however, Wyndham conquers that trope with seasoned and knowledgeable skill. This is structure. 'Sandy' wraps a woman's obstacles - personal, physical, political, psychological - all into one. The text itself is gracious and courteous to an actress.
  • On the Beam
    25 Oct. 2017
    There are playwrights who shy away from historical figures, David Hansen isn't one of them. It really impresses me whenever that happens. Some of the dramas that I have the most respect for had their stories and subjects taken right from the headlines and history books. Here's a play about a play that seems will never go away, and why. I can imagine the fun one would have just staging the start of it. What's extraordinary is how I wound up debating myself if the audience for this might be surprisingly younger or older. I think that's a good sign.
  • LEG
    4 Oct. 2017
    Bold, heartbreaking, tragic. Pure drama. One of the best plays I've read on New Play Exchange. Certainly makes the list of cleanest, most unadulterated goals I've ever known a character to have. The desperation alone might make you cry. The dialogue, there are zingers and quips that'd make Ben Hecht lose his balance. This is a dizzying, delirious, bewildering drama. An important piece in the argument of freedom and choice, a cautionary tale about psychological disorders. This is a play to match anything by the Greeks. Stout is one brave playwright, a keen dramatist. Truly, this's important stuff right here.
  • When You Are a Little Bit Older
    4 Oct. 2017
    Sometimes a playwright does get the title right. Nobody knows exactly how to function with one another in this play or, actually, how to deal with or do anything at all, simply because each of the characters is too young. Owen has a power complex, but you'll more readily and more likely see his point as the plot moves on, and perhaps it's not so much his experience, as it is that he's the younger brother. What starts not far off from what could be a clever 'Saturday Night Live' sketch soon gets deeper, colder, warmer, idealistic. Just like teenagers.
  • Temp
    29 Sep. 2017
    Why the hell ain't we doin' this anymore? Used to do this all the time. Short plays, y'know? One-acts. Dunn's 'Temp' is a damn good reason why. Reminds me of the best from De Sica's 'Woman Times Seven', and what else! This play's page length shouldn't be anathema to so many theatres; just add two others, then. One by Dunn, or two. Or a duo by another, or others. Think 'Oh, Hell!' and 'Almost An Evening' or 'Death Defying Acts'. You're a flippin' theatre company, make a goshdarn evening. Dunn's play is about Hell on Earth. Have a laugh.

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