Recommended by Brent Alles

  • Brent Alles: Forget About Me (The Breakfast Club Play)

    A fascinating "two hander" that handles its characters deftly and allows for deep inflection into the lives of these people amidst all-too-recent events. The pop culture references made connections with me but what stuck with me the most was the examination of the relationship between mother and daughter that's intricately woven throughout the narrative and leads to a culmination of considerable impact at the close. Great parts for two actors here. I would definitely enjoy seeing this staged at some point!

    A fascinating "two hander" that handles its characters deftly and allows for deep inflection into the lives of these people amidst all-too-recent events. The pop culture references made connections with me but what stuck with me the most was the examination of the relationship between mother and daughter that's intricately woven throughout the narrative and leads to a culmination of considerable impact at the close. Great parts for two actors here. I would definitely enjoy seeing this staged at some point!

  • Brent Alles: YOURS EVER - THE RISE OF ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER

    Steeped in history and measured in approach, this piece of "Yours Ever" establishes for us a rich tapestry of a world that we definitely want to examine further. We have a driving narrative created very quickly, and even without an intense knowledge of art history, the characters still interest and intrigue us in swift fashion. I cannot wait to see how this work develops!

    Steeped in history and measured in approach, this piece of "Yours Ever" establishes for us a rich tapestry of a world that we definitely want to examine further. We have a driving narrative created very quickly, and even without an intense knowledge of art history, the characters still interest and intrigue us in swift fashion. I cannot wait to see how this work develops!

  • Brent Alles: Finding Home

    Frost is not afraid to take on tough issues in this work, and it's a gripping account of what one family has to deal with throughout several lives. The variety of techniques used here to create this story - music, poetry, etc. - are all used well in terms of creating a tableau that's equally affecting and engaging. There are "worlds" displayed here that many of us often don't get to "visit," and so the work is important if only for that. Beyond that, however, we're allowed to experience the highs and lows of this family in full detail. Impactful!

    Frost is not afraid to take on tough issues in this work, and it's a gripping account of what one family has to deal with throughout several lives. The variety of techniques used here to create this story - music, poetry, etc. - are all used well in terms of creating a tableau that's equally affecting and engaging. There are "worlds" displayed here that many of us often don't get to "visit," and so the work is important if only for that. Beyond that, however, we're allowed to experience the highs and lows of this family in full detail. Impactful!

  • Brent Alles: The Art of... Dating

    When I saw what the concept was for this, right off the bat, I was excited; and then as I read the play, I was definitely not disappointed. Marvelously contemporary and still somewhat retaining of a romantic core so that it doesn't risk alienation. No chance of that here, as this one act never slows down and is very funny throughout with sharp, witty, and rewarding dialogue. Structure is just great in terms of keeping you interested. I can see why this has been successful so far, and I can't wait to see a staging of it myself someday.

    When I saw what the concept was for this, right off the bat, I was excited; and then as I read the play, I was definitely not disappointed. Marvelously contemporary and still somewhat retaining of a romantic core so that it doesn't risk alienation. No chance of that here, as this one act never slows down and is very funny throughout with sharp, witty, and rewarding dialogue. Structure is just great in terms of keeping you interested. I can see why this has been successful so far, and I can't wait to see a staging of it myself someday.

  • Brent Alles: Karen and the No Good, Very Bad, Terrible, Horrible Day (Solo Edition)

    This monologue is so funny that it makes me weep for our "culture." Just kidding, I think. Seriously, now, this is an incredibly entertaining burst of "cringe" comedy in a character we might unfortunately know too well. I would love to see this monologue performed, but in a theatrical sense, please. I don't want the performance to be in front of me when I'm waiting for my own macchiato (hold the extra drizzle), thank you very much.

    This monologue is so funny that it makes me weep for our "culture." Just kidding, I think. Seriously, now, this is an incredibly entertaining burst of "cringe" comedy in a character we might unfortunately know too well. I would love to see this monologue performed, but in a theatrical sense, please. I don't want the performance to be in front of me when I'm waiting for my own macchiato (hold the extra drizzle), thank you very much.

  • Brent Alles: The Detective

    Do we ever truly know one another? Do we really want to? What are the consequences of knowing the truth? That's the fulcrum of this play. A thrilling prize fight between a (barely) married couple that briefly turns into a three-way dance and then returns to the couple for a cathartic conclusion. The sly commentary on the monotony of a medium that's sprinkled throughout only serves to heighten the fact that one perhaps doesn't quite know how this is going to end. Sometimes, perhaps, it's better not to know. Intriguing deduction awaits. An impressive play, to be sure.

    Do we ever truly know one another? Do we really want to? What are the consequences of knowing the truth? That's the fulcrum of this play. A thrilling prize fight between a (barely) married couple that briefly turns into a three-way dance and then returns to the couple for a cathartic conclusion. The sly commentary on the monotony of a medium that's sprinkled throughout only serves to heighten the fact that one perhaps doesn't quite know how this is going to end. Sometimes, perhaps, it's better not to know. Intriguing deduction awaits. An impressive play, to be sure.

  • Brent Alles: CRYING ROOM

    Perhaps many of us have been around someone like Melissa before: the nervous talker. Well meaning, but just doesn't know when to stop. Maybe we're Ralph and politely "beg off." But "aha," that's the neat trick of this wonderful monologue. Because we stay, we get to see the depth behind the nervous exterior, and we're rewarded with some touching moments for and from Melissa and her current circumstances. I enjoyed the neat "little touches" here and there throughout the monologue - authenticity throughout. A unique character, and it was definitely an involving experience getting to spend some...

    Perhaps many of us have been around someone like Melissa before: the nervous talker. Well meaning, but just doesn't know when to stop. Maybe we're Ralph and politely "beg off." But "aha," that's the neat trick of this wonderful monologue. Because we stay, we get to see the depth behind the nervous exterior, and we're rewarded with some touching moments for and from Melissa and her current circumstances. I enjoyed the neat "little touches" here and there throughout the monologue - authenticity throughout. A unique character, and it was definitely an involving experience getting to spend some time with her.

  • Brent Alles: You Think You Know

    Great comedic byplay between these characters leading up to a very funny twist of an ending. A very enjoyable one act!

    Great comedic byplay between these characters leading up to a very funny twist of an ending. A very enjoyable one act!

  • Brent Alles: Rockabye: A Ten-Minute Play

    What an intense burst of a play here. Taut with drama, and it doesn't contain any easy answers. What lengths do we go to for those we love and why? And what do we do when we're up against an unforgiving system that won't allow for that? This was an intriguing example of those issues and more.

    What an intense burst of a play here. Taut with drama, and it doesn't contain any easy answers. What lengths do we go to for those we love and why? And what do we do when we're up against an unforgiving system that won't allow for that? This was an intriguing example of those issues and more.

  • Brent Alles: AFTERMATH

    An unexpected and incredibly effective treatment of the subject. The technique used at first is distinctive and draws you in immediately. Then, we get down to business and see what effect gun violence has on multiple stakeholders, and not the "usual suspects," so to speak. In that way, the work is able to show more empathy and have a greater impact on those who read and view it. An important work that needs continued productions to try to have some impact on what seems sometimes like a hopeless cause. With explorations such as this, it doesn't have to be.

    An unexpected and incredibly effective treatment of the subject. The technique used at first is distinctive and draws you in immediately. Then, we get down to business and see what effect gun violence has on multiple stakeholders, and not the "usual suspects," so to speak. In that way, the work is able to show more empathy and have a greater impact on those who read and view it. An important work that needs continued productions to try to have some impact on what seems sometimes like a hopeless cause. With explorations such as this, it doesn't have to be.