Recommended by Brent Alles

A lovely, insightful examination of a character who changes in so many ways during the play, and we're there with them every step of the way. The use of "art" is such a great technique by O'Connell. Incredibly moving throughout, seeing what was happening to the images created by the main character. Art represents us in so many ways; this certainly showcases that beautifully. A wonderful, creative piece for a small or large group of actors to stage someday. Can't wait to see it when that happens!

Really enjoyable holiday play here by Ryan. There's plenty of jokes and laughs for the kids but plenty of stuff for the adults to enjoy as well. The best of both worlds, if you ask me! This would definitely be a great fit with any holiday festival that would be lucky to have it. Merry indeed!

1/2/25 - Excellent monologue here that captures the very real conflict between what we dream for ourselves and what reality offers. We're thrilled, then, when Lilly is able to find her realization and epiphany through the course of sharing her inner thoughts. Great piece here to be used for acting students, monologue contests, you name it. A lot to dig into!

First off, so many laugh-out-loud lines in this that it should probably be criminal. You know you're reading something good when you're laughing at the STAGE DIRECTIONS. Beyond that, Kantor does an excellent job in capturing current youth culture (I think?) and ramping it up to enjoyably ridiculous proportions here. The Kerrigan/Harding fiasco of the 90s has perhaps warped into what we see here, and I'm all for it. Pitch black funny in the vein of "To Die For" and "Heathers"... love it!

It's an interesting trick in this century to pull off a "whodunnit" without relying on the same tired tropes that most of them have trotted out for decades, if not centuries. Kudos to Fenton, then, for writing a very unconventional murder mystery that still offers up rich characters for us to enjoy and a story that keeps us guessing until the very end. Contemporary and engaging. I'm a bit in awe of the feat that's accomplished here. A thrilling and engaging work!

Absolutely loved this brilliant play. Gibbs captures the feel of a late night comedy show right off the bat and quickly builds characters that you can love and, yes, sometimes be annoyed by (purposefully!). However, the main plot then begins and kicks this play into another gear. Through it all, we still get excellent character development set against building tension from the events that have been set in motion. I absolutely can't wait to see this staged at some point. Highest recommendation!

Fascinating one act here that raised some questions I wasn't expecting in its reading. A keen character study and philosophical discussion wrapped up in one neat little courtroom package. Definitely would be enjoyable to see this staged! Two great parts for actors to sink their teeth into.

(1/1/2025) Very funny premise and a lot of good laughs in this one. An enjoyable, offbeat holiday comedy piece!

(1/1/2025) Incredibly funny farce! Laughing the whole way through. Hope Mike won't mind that I saw a touch of the best of John Waters in this, because I mean that as the highest compliment. So much hilarity and absurdism that builds in this to the heights of ridiculousness (again, in the best way possible) that I can't imagine audiences not doubling over in laughter. Any theater group that chooses to stage this is going to have a lot of laughs on their hands! Thank you, thank you very much.

This is well-done dark satire by Brestman, to be sure. I can't say that I didn't have a gnawing in the pit of my stomach when reading it, which shows you the impact of what the playwright is describing. The writing is rich in detail, which elevates the twisted comedic tension. Saddening and maddening that there is such a reality to be satirized, of course, but here we are. That shouldn't take away from the dramatic technique here, however, in a deft holding of a funhouse mirror to the situation.