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Matthew Weaver

Recommended by Matthew Weaver

  • Escalator to the Gallows (a monologue) by Scott Sickles
    24 Feb. 2019
    “ Gallows humor at its finest, once again proving Sickles - so good in everything he writes - a master of his craft. This concept is irresistible, as Fedora adds insult to further injury at the worst possible time for poor Erland. Sickles' script is surprising, funny, heartfelt and dripping with acid, as everything Fedora says is designed to wither Erland to maximum effect. His worst sin, in her eyes, has been to try to please her, which is unforgivable. Who hasn't been on either side of this sort of a doomed romance? Darkness and light, all in the same breath. ”
  • Recognition [a monologue] by Steven G. Martin
    21 Feb. 2019
    “ Martin captures the poignant, painful moments as a woman once on top of her game and at the height of her intellectual powers struggles against a failing mind. It's a hard, emotional play to read. I expect it would be just as hard to resist rising out of the audience and going up and hugging Wanda as she struggles with her words, but Martin also magnificently captures her strength and fury in the face of what's already happened and what is still to come. And writes it down for we to bear witness to Wanda's truth. And we recognize it. ”
  • CONTRAPPOSTO by Rachael Carnes
    19 Feb. 2019
    “ Irresistible. A very important conversation piece about art, the artist's gaze, the male gaze and the insidious role it has played in depicting women throughout the years. Carnes' Venus is a delight, speaking her own truth and value and worth among the gods. Here Carnes reaches across time, and perhaps, the stars, and helps a god reclaim her strength and voice from those who have co-opted them for the last 500-plus years. Exquisite title, as well. This would be a worthy addition to any festival. ”
  • LAPS by Zoe Jovanovich
    16 Feb. 2019
    “ Ridiculously fun, with a must-read scenario that's like a train wreck, especially for for poor outmatched Wilcox, the creep. It's clear from the get-go Jenny is the one holding all the cards. This would be a blast for a teen performer in their local community theatre, and quite possibly just as much fun for the audience, who would get to revel in the not quite safe for school-ness of the play. LAPS is the equivalent of a refreshing slice of key lime pie for dessert - sweet, tart and plenty of zing to keep things interesting. ”
  • Karen Paints Koi by Ryan M. Bultrowicz
    15 Feb. 2019
    “ A lovely, hilarious, chilling metaphor for the artist. Karen's koi paintings stand in for your/my CURRENT WORK IN PROGRESS and body of work, as Bultrowicz examines: Why is it we do what we do? How does the audience react? Yes, but why is it we do what we do? The play's voice is irresistible, made even better by the sudden appearance of koi fish expert Marlin. A delightful ode to every part of the artistic process, which is sometimes just as disturbing and hilarious as it is mysterious and wonderful. Bultrowicz understands, and ably captures it for the stage. ”
  • Check Me Out by Emily Hageman
    13 Feb. 2019
    “ Yes, Hageman can break your heart. Yes, her writing can sucker-punch you in the gut right when you least expect it.
    BUT BUT BUT
    She is also fully capable of making you snort hot tater tots out your nose when you innocently, unsuspectingly read a play and come across a devastatingly dry, wry sentence.
    CHECK ME OUT has many of these.
    It is an elegant rebuttal to anyone who questions the existence of libraries, and celebrates the best parts about reading books.
    But mostly this one will make you snort hot tater tots out your nose, which hurts. A LOT. ”
  • UNICORN KID: A RECYCLING MONOLOGUE by Asher Wyndham
    12 Feb. 2019
    “ I am a particular fan of Asher's environmentally-minded kid monologues, and this is a gem among gems. Asher clearly had fun writing this one - the neigbor's question of "Is your unicorn kid all right?" had me laughing out loud. Teachers, give this one to your theater kids who are full of boundless energy and optimism and ready for a challenge. Wyndham peppers the serious message with loads of wit - and an interesting, apparently long-running grudge with the principal. I imagine Wyndham's Unicorn Kid, Turtle Kid, Dolphin Kid, Earthworm Kid and other kids teaming up to save the world. ”
  • NINJAS by Scott Mullen
    11 Feb. 2019
    “ I may love this play of Mullen's even more than I love his THE PEEK, and I really, really, really love THE PEEK.
    NINJAS finds two women reuniting at the airport on their way back to their school reunion. Fear gives way to bravery and old wounds give way to the truth, unearthing a tender, stealth love story we all wish we could have.
    How lovely of Mullen to allow us to share in Hannah and Kate's. ”
  • THE APPOINTMENT by Rachael Carnes
    11 Feb. 2019
    “ Carnes offers a scorching psychological examination of a couple in disarray as they wait for their therapy appointment. We definitely see why this is a relationship in crisis, but we also see why Zac and Deb are a good pair. Carnes perfectly captures so many of the reasons why adulting, and romance while adulting, are hard, from missing Early Bird registration to always being out of milk and bananas to the slippery slope that is deciding on an emergency contact number to put down on paperwork. So much paperwork. A fun outing, peppered with so many uneasy, nodding truths. ”
  • DATE NIGHT? by Emma Goldman-Sherman
    10 Feb. 2019
    “ Goldman-Sherman boldly makes we the audience as uncomfortable as possible, holding a mirror up to all of us and asking us to hold eye contact with our reflections. She erases any separation between the performers and the viewer and dares us to look away. If you can read this script or come away from a performance of it unchanged ... well, there is no "if." Because you can't. The kind of art we needed all along, so we wouldn't have to need it now. Stellar. Chilling. Stellar. Heartwrenching. ”

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