Recommended by Brent Alles

  • Brent Alles: Not That Ed

    You can always count on Byham to bring the hysterically funny neo-farce, and we have another great example of that here. The set-up had me chuckling right from the start, and by the time we get to the song, oh, the song, just had me howling. The twists and turns keep the story moving right along, and you're on the edge of your seat as you're laughing at poor Ed as he tries to squirm out of this not so fine predicament. Would love to see this performed on stage!

    You can always count on Byham to bring the hysterically funny neo-farce, and we have another great example of that here. The set-up had me chuckling right from the start, and by the time we get to the song, oh, the song, just had me howling. The twists and turns keep the story moving right along, and you're on the edge of your seat as you're laughing at poor Ed as he tries to squirm out of this not so fine predicament. Would love to see this performed on stage!

  • Brent Alles: Coronation

    A thoroughly entertaining "teen comedy" that's not insulting in the least. Instead, it's pretty invigorating to watch the (dark) fun of Dan's "plan" and how it affects all around him. The characters are all drawn well, and if I were still a high school kid (ah, wistful nostalgia), I'd definitely be "crushing" on Maria. The contemporary touches here are well done and not overkill. The dialogue seems natural and authentic for this particular age group. I think many high school groups (or theater for high school groups!) would do well to put this on... audiences are going to love it!

    A thoroughly entertaining "teen comedy" that's not insulting in the least. Instead, it's pretty invigorating to watch the (dark) fun of Dan's "plan" and how it affects all around him. The characters are all drawn well, and if I were still a high school kid (ah, wistful nostalgia), I'd definitely be "crushing" on Maria. The contemporary touches here are well done and not overkill. The dialogue seems natural and authentic for this particular age group. I think many high school groups (or theater for high school groups!) would do well to put this on... audiences are going to love it!

  • Brent Alles: Peter’s Ticket Booth

    I'm always fascinated by different depictions of the afterlife, and Frank provides an effective twist here on one particular possibility when it comes to the great beyond. Or at least the waiting room for the great beyond. We get to meet some funny characters during our stay, and there are some nice life lessons delivered along the way as well. It was refreshing to read a play where some people do indeed get what they deserve. I enjoyed spending my brief time in Peter's Ticket Booth, and I think others viewing it on stage would enjoy their stay as well.

    I'm always fascinated by different depictions of the afterlife, and Frank provides an effective twist here on one particular possibility when it comes to the great beyond. Or at least the waiting room for the great beyond. We get to meet some funny characters during our stay, and there are some nice life lessons delivered along the way as well. It was refreshing to read a play where some people do indeed get what they deserve. I enjoyed spending my brief time in Peter's Ticket Booth, and I think others viewing it on stage would enjoy their stay as well.

  • Brent Alles: Persephone Wasn't Hungry That Day

    Damned if this play didn't make ME incredibly hungry reading it. Definitely don't read this on an empty stomach, folks, as Kantor will torture you with exquisite description of food, glorious food. But that's one of the points here, innit? Beyond that, an inventive use of Greek mythology to explore some very modern issues such as female body image, male expectations, etc. That being said, this is no rote "After Socrates Special." The twists and turns as you go through the play are enjoyable indeed, and the ending is indeed satisfying in many ways, carnal and culinary.

    Damned if this play didn't make ME incredibly hungry reading it. Definitely don't read this on an empty stomach, folks, as Kantor will torture you with exquisite description of food, glorious food. But that's one of the points here, innit? Beyond that, an inventive use of Greek mythology to explore some very modern issues such as female body image, male expectations, etc. That being said, this is no rote "After Socrates Special." The twists and turns as you go through the play are enjoyable indeed, and the ending is indeed satisfying in many ways, carnal and culinary.

  • Brent Alles: Forest Fire – a monologue

    Beautiful and poetic, tragic and triumphant. The use of verse and poetry is stunning. The rhythm of the piece is so captivating. You're blown away just like the ashes of the forest fires in question. Just as characters in musicals break into song to convey emotions that they cannot say, here you have Caroline using what she knows in terms of love and language to share what possibly couldn't have been shared before. We indeed "hold the stillness" with her and do not breathe easy as things conclude. An incredibly moving monologue, to be sure.

    Beautiful and poetic, tragic and triumphant. The use of verse and poetry is stunning. The rhythm of the piece is so captivating. You're blown away just like the ashes of the forest fires in question. Just as characters in musicals break into song to convey emotions that they cannot say, here you have Caroline using what she knows in terms of love and language to share what possibly couldn't have been shared before. We indeed "hold the stillness" with her and do not breathe easy as things conclude. An incredibly moving monologue, to be sure.

  • Brent Alles: A Short Play: In Which Christopher Robin is All Grown Up

    A very effective 10-minute that takes a childhood legend and looks at a suggested "reality" behind it. The conceit is effective in that most of us have the images of the "good ol' bear" and his best friend Christopher Robin in the back of our minds and that allows us a particular and peculiar empathy with the situation that unfolds here. As always, Tennant makes good use of actual history to craft a tale that not only informs but touches the soul as well.

    A very effective 10-minute that takes a childhood legend and looks at a suggested "reality" behind it. The conceit is effective in that most of us have the images of the "good ol' bear" and his best friend Christopher Robin in the back of our minds and that allows us a particular and peculiar empathy with the situation that unfolds here. As always, Tennant makes good use of actual history to craft a tale that not only informs but touches the soul as well.

  • Brent Alles: Boat Spotting

    A lovely play in terms of expectations and perspectives. The overall concept for the observations works well in terms of providing a structure that also allows for some effective character exploration. Beyond that, you have honesty between these two characters that seems incredibly realistic. I was very satisfied that this story doesn't resolve itself unrealistically. Instead, we're left with a sometimes quirky, sometimes fun, sometimes touching, and always romantic encounter between these two enjoyable characters.

    A lovely play in terms of expectations and perspectives. The overall concept for the observations works well in terms of providing a structure that also allows for some effective character exploration. Beyond that, you have honesty between these two characters that seems incredibly realistic. I was very satisfied that this story doesn't resolve itself unrealistically. Instead, we're left with a sometimes quirky, sometimes fun, sometimes touching, and always romantic encounter between these two enjoyable characters.

  • Brent Alles: Take Me Back

    This was an enjoyable, romantic 10-minute situation that Heyman created. There are effective exchanges between the two characters. The dialogue seems natural throughout. The piece has a satisfactory ending... I appreciated that it wasn't an unrealistic resolution to the situation Heyman created. This would definitely be great to see performed at a 10-minute festival!

    This was an enjoyable, romantic 10-minute situation that Heyman created. There are effective exchanges between the two characters. The dialogue seems natural throughout. The piece has a satisfactory ending... I appreciated that it wasn't an unrealistic resolution to the situation Heyman created. This would definitely be great to see performed at a 10-minute festival!

  • Brent Alles: Aggie (a monologue)

    A very moving and touching monologue here. There's a lot packed into this single page! This would definitely make an excellent monologue for a performer to use.

    A very moving and touching monologue here. There's a lot packed into this single page! This would definitely make an excellent monologue for a performer to use.

  • Brent Alles: THE RITUAL (ten minute play)

    Tremendously funny ten-minute! I laughed many times while reading it. A groovy little bit of the ol' HP brought into the modern age. Middle schoolers with eldritch powers... ecch... is there anything more horrifying? I think not. Bolduc does an excellent job blending the comedy and the horror in this piece. I'm sure middle school teachers would definitely find this relatable... hell, they might even think Bolduc is underselling the terror of working with the urchins! :) I kid, I kid, but I'm not kidding when I say this is a very enjoyable 10-minute!

    Tremendously funny ten-minute! I laughed many times while reading it. A groovy little bit of the ol' HP brought into the modern age. Middle schoolers with eldritch powers... ecch... is there anything more horrifying? I think not. Bolduc does an excellent job blending the comedy and the horror in this piece. I'm sure middle school teachers would definitely find this relatable... hell, they might even think Bolduc is underselling the terror of working with the urchins! :) I kid, I kid, but I'm not kidding when I say this is a very enjoyable 10-minute!