Recommended by Matthew Weaver

  • THERAPY DOG
    15 Nov. 2017
    "Come on. It's 2016. Dudes can pet other dudes." Every time I thought I knew where this short play was going, it zagged instead of zigged. Hilarious, just the right blend of heart and naughty wickedness. Mullen takes a bizarre concept and just keeps raising it to new heights, and yet every single odd step makes perfect sense. And he makes it look absolutely easy the entire time. Truly, he is a master absurdist. Certain to be a genuine crowd pleaser.
  • The Subtle, Sublime Transformation of Benny V.
    5 Nov. 2017
    "Theatre management reminds the audience that we can do this sort of thing." Transformative. Martin depicts an artist's first, fumbling steps into wonder as Benny V. - a man who should have died two years ago, our host compere tells us - discovers painting, dining, cooking, travel, the stars. Boldly, Martin allows Benny to make mistakes, before showing us the battle for Benny's very soul, as enemy forces work to kill his spirit. Benny's joy is Martin's joy is our joy. The play's enthusiasm is infectious. Martin takes the pure feelings of every playwright and sets them to paper. Extraordinary.
  • Virgins
    25 Oct. 2017
    A nice moment between two sisters on the cusp of important milestones in their relationships. Sickles portrays the opposite ends of the experience spectrum equally, without judgement, and the love between Bonnie and Savannah shines through every moment. Think of two of your most powerhouse performers and imagine what they could do with this, then set them loose to play.
  • The STDs
    3 Oct. 2017
    A genius idea, so simple and yet so original, and told in absolutely fun, light fashion. Handled in such a manner that this is virtually family friendly. I could actually see this being used to great effect in sex ed classrooms. Williams goes the extra mile and has his STD ... heroes definitely doesn't seem to be the right word ... wondering how they'll protect their turf from the incoming, bigger, badder slate of sexually transmitted diseases, the Incurables. Brilliant. That sound you hear is a bunch of playwrights kicking themselves that they didn't come up with the idea first.
  • The Artist Formerly Known as T
    27 Sep. 2017
    A fun twist on the current political climate. And what a dilemma for T! I particularly enjoyed T and Hayes running through the alphabet for alternative name options. Cathro's short is hysterical, yet also pays tribute to the heartbreak that comes from his loss of his identity - why should he be the one to change? Ends with T holding his agent accountable for his political decisions himself; Hayes' response is telling. I see this fitting right in to many politically-themed festivals, offering a different perspective. I had the pleasure of reading this for the Trade a Play Tuesday program.
  • Bat
    10 Sep. 2017
    A nice read that is cleverly all aftermath and fallout. Pritchard trusts the audience to fill in the gaps and devotes her time instead to scares mixed with social commentary. Elegant and simple, and so smart and fun. Sharply written.
  • Weren't You In My Science Class?
    5 Sep. 2017
    A pleasure to read. Harnetiaux goes above and beyond informing us of the rich innerworkings of her characters and their history, creating a wholly unique experience. Told in reverse, we go from Irene and Lana under a table during a bank robbery; after a high school reunion having just killed a deer and finally in the eponymous science class, trying to coax Sarah Sun into saying the C-word. We don't come to fall in love with Lana and Irene; we come to realize we ARE Lana and Irene. How does she do that? Includes a glossary of unseen supporting characters.
  • Elephants
    12 Aug. 2017
    A powerful, emotional grabber. Shows a pre-teen or teenager on the autism spectrum, which is something that should be shown more, and also captures the relationship of a heartbroken girl and her equally heartbroken aunt trying to come together. Very well done and moving.
  • The Anxiety of a Knuckleball Before the Plate
    11 Aug. 2017
    A gem of an inanimate object play. Poetry in motion. Captures an American pastime from the POV of a key element. A killer ending, made me laugh out loud. Stubbles at his best. Truly good stuff.
  • Fortune Lauderdale
    3 Aug. 2017
    An interesting, quirky philosophical discourse set in a casino. Strong, fun characters, whom Hendel isn't afraid to portray warts and all. Action builds and builds to over-the-top, in a way that makes complete and utter sense for the story. Every part here would be fun for the lucky performer who wins the chance to play it.

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