Recommended by Joe Zarrow

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    I was lucky enough about to see this play at Bramble Theater in Chicago last night knowing basically nothing about the script. F'd me up in the best way possible, expertly using its intentionally alienating stylistic choices as a powerful metaphor for the troubled relationship at its center. Hoo boy.

    I was lucky enough about to see this play at Bramble Theater in Chicago last night knowing basically nothing about the script. F'd me up in the best way possible, expertly using its intentionally alienating stylistic choices as a powerful metaphor for the troubled relationship at its center. Hoo boy.

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    I got to see the Goodman New Stages reading of this last night. It manages to be smart and topical without being preachy, it's hilarious, and it pulls off an amazing "Act 2 is very different from Act 1" switch. Please somebody produce it.

    I got to see the Goodman New Stages reading of this last night. It manages to be smart and topical without being preachy, it's hilarious, and it pulls off an amazing "Act 2 is very different from Act 1" switch. Please somebody produce it.

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    I was lucky enough to get to see a reading of this in Chicago this past week. Visionary, daring, beautiful, thought-provoking.

    I was lucky enough to get to see a reading of this in Chicago this past week. Visionary, daring, beautiful, thought-provoking.

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    I got to see the Story Theater production of this play. Intelligent, affecting, and hilarious, often all at once. It addresses the most critical political issues of our time without ever being preachy. It made me question my ideas about these issues without ever resorting to both-sides-ism. It's the best, smartest play I've seen in a long while.

    I got to see the Story Theater production of this play. Intelligent, affecting, and hilarious, often all at once. It addresses the most critical political issues of our time without ever being preachy. It made me question my ideas about these issues without ever resorting to both-sides-ism. It's the best, smartest play I've seen in a long while.

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    I've been in a bit of a playgoing funk since COVID started two years ago, but seeing THE SECRETARIES reminded me of the possibilities of what theater and language can accomplish. Thrilling and ambitious and hilarious and horrifying all at once.

    I've been in a bit of a playgoing funk since COVID started two years ago, but seeing THE SECRETARIES reminded me of the possibilities of what theater and language can accomplish. Thrilling and ambitious and hilarious and horrifying all at once.

  • Joe Zarrow: galatea 2.0 by Sophie Dushko
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    GALATEA 2.0 is simultaneously theatrical and gutsy, up-to-the-minute and historically informed. It's a terrific new take on a perpetually-relevant mythic trope.

    GALATEA 2.0 is simultaneously theatrical and gutsy, up-to-the-minute and historically informed. It's a terrific new take on a perpetually-relevant mythic trope.

    ”
  • Joe Zarrow: Vulpecula by Jennifer Rumberger
    “

    Rumberger creates an exciting story in a genre that can be tricky to nail onstage, with a compelling sister-sister relationship at its center.

    Rumberger creates an exciting story in a genre that can be tricky to nail onstage, with a compelling sister-sister relationship at its center.

    ”
  • Joe Zarrow: Quiver by Jenni Lamb
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    I just performed in a reading of Quiver at Flint Rep. Somebody produce this thing. It's ready. It's deeply felt, nuanced, theatrically inventive, *and* it tells the story of characters we don't often get to see onstage.

    I just performed in a reading of Quiver at Flint Rep. Somebody produce this thing. It's ready. It's deeply felt, nuanced, theatrically inventive, *and* it tells the story of characters we don't often get to see onstage.

    ”
  • Joe Zarrow: John Proctor is the Villain by Kimberly Belflower
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    How did she write this play so fast? It is so of our moment and so well-built. I used to teach high school English, and hated teaching The Crucible -- wish I'd had this play to teach instead.

    How did she write this play so fast? It is so of our moment and so well-built. I used to teach high school English, and hated teaching The Crucible -- wish I'd had this play to teach instead.

    ”
  • Joe Zarrow: Herland by Grace McLeod
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    Keep an eye on Grace. This play has an incredibly light and loving touch, with three (!) great roles for older women.

    Keep an eye on Grace. This play has an incredibly light and loving touch, with three (!) great roles for older women.

    ”