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Matthew Weaver

Recommended by Matthew Weaver

  • JANINE: A MONOLOGUE WITH A FANNY-PACK by Asher Wyndham
    9 Feb. 2019
    “ There's just something about Asher and his monologues for young performers. JANINE is a tour de force, and Wyndham gives the future Janines of the world a spotlight that allows for a rainbow of all of the emotions - bold, brave and yet a lovely underlying element of heartbreak. If there's a soul in the audience who isn't moved by the depth and meaning to Janine's beloved fanny pack, I sure as heck don't want 'em sitting next to me. ”
  • For Daddy on Superbowl Sunday: a monologue by Kara Emily Krantz
    3 Feb. 2019
    “ Oh, our hearts. Krantz writes about that most painful of relationships - the heartless, greedy parent and the child they leave in their wake. We watch and we bear witness to the speaker's truth, and we feel for them, and root for them, as they take steps to protect themselves and protect their hearts, while leaving a sliver of an opening, one more chance for the parent who keeps on hurting them to change. But, next time - on the speaker's terms. Krantz lays her heart bare, and our hearts beat in solidarity with hers. ”
  • CHEESE ADDICT: A MONOLOGUE by Asher Wyndham
    3 Feb. 2019
    “ Wyndham considers this a comedy, but it's really written for those of us who have stood in line at the grocery store and have to be cognizant of every dollar, dime and penny that we have. What greater luxury would there be than to be able to stride into the store and purchase CHEESE, especially the unpronounceable, intimidating cheeses that come from far-off lands? It can inspire flights as fanciful as these. A strong monologue from an expert monologue-ist. Added bonus: If I'm ever in the audience, I'm sitting up front in hopes of catching a Kraft Single. ”
  • Cage by Jennifer O'Grady
    3 Feb. 2019
    “ O'Grady offers a wonderful tale tinged with sadness. Thumper the rabbit shares the experiences of their life with us - mostly good, safe from predators, but there's also that sense of what pure, wild freedom would feel like. It's short, but there's so much meaning beneath Thumper's words. Thumper does their best to look on the bright side, but O'Grady boldly shows us how their heart is quietly breaking. And quietly breaks our hearts right alongside. ”
  • I Saw Jesus in Toa Baja by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    3 Feb. 2019
    “ "I saw Jesus in Gurabo. And he gave me a ham and cheese sandwich."
    Lovely. Just lovely. Diaz-Marcano gives us a hell of a hero in Leslie and a beautiful story of faith in the midst of the hardest of hard times. This play gives us so many perspectives that are sadly underserved in theater, that I think audiences hunger for. The tale here is much like its Jesus: Patiently welcoming, yet firm in what is right. It's so easy to lean back, let Nelson's words take you by the hand and bring you along for the experience. ”
  • A TOUR of The Early 21st Century Reproductive System (The Way We Used to Have Babies) & Real Live Birth Experience! by Emma Goldman-Sherman
    2 Feb. 2019
    “ Goldman-Sherman is a national treasure, and this lovely, foreboding one-act carries both her signature wry wit and a winter's chill at how the future is? could be? is hurtling towards us like a runaway train? The setting is amazing, funny, natural and a warning cry to all. Her writing is always bold, fearless, haunting and unflinching; TOUR is a remarkable addition to her oeuvre. ”
  • INERTIA by Rachael Carnes
    31 Jan. 2019
    “ A whirlwind portrait of the end of the love story between a man and his sock monkey. Carnes gets absolute credit for dropping us right into the scenario and never pausing to let the audience catch up. Hell, even poor blindsided Billie's trying to keep up, but Minky is the leader of this whole story. How can anyone possibly compete with Minky's new love - but especially Billie? All of we in the audience who have seen a love affair come to a sad end will lock eyes and nod knowingly. Absurd, yes, but also so, so, real. ”
  • The Window by Tristen Canfield
    25 Jan. 2019
    “ You may stop writing 10-minute plays now. For Tristen Canfield has written the perfect 10-minute play, bar none. I first had the pleasure of watching this during Spokane Civic Theatre's Playwrights Forum Festival in 2015 and I haven't shut up about it since. It's a heartfelt commentary on the nature of humanity from two souls perhaps best poised to reflect upon it - a fish and a cat in a window - and it's damn hilarious, poignant, insightful and wonderful. I'm so glad to see it here on NPX, so that you too, Fellow Playwright, can rejoice in its existence. ”
  • Uncomplicated Bereavement by Scott Sickles
    25 Jan. 2019
    “ I second Bruce Bonafede's "evil genius who worships at the altar of Satan" remark in his recommendation! Sickles takes a wickedly funny, darkly true look at grieving and comes up with hilarity. We can certainly relate to Sarah and Elliot's loss, but also their wry disdain for the trappings that come with funeral proceedings. Sickles' writing would be a wonderful, welcome addition to any festival, unless it's a festival for plays that are unfun and on their best behavior. Pitch black and pitch perfect. ”
  • Many Happier Returns by Christine Foster
    8 Jan. 2019
    “ I had the pleasure of originally reading this as part of the Trade a Play Tuesday program and am delighted to see it here. Quite possibly one of the best short plays on NPX, and a great showcase for two performers to play a mother-daughter team. Foster (and mother Izzy) sets the audience (and poor Karla) on constantly shifting sands, to hilarious and hysterical effect, and offers a master class in doing a lot with very little and making it look effortless. A pitch-perfect ending. I remain haunted by Izzy's lesson that carrots are still alive when you eat them. ”

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