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Matthew Weaver

Recommended by Matthew Weaver

  • TEACH by Donna Hoke
    15 Feb. 2017
    “ I keep thinking of TEACH as a Rubik's Cube. Hoke picks up a compelling social issue and examines it from every angle, even taking it apart and showing us what's inside. Gender-fluid casting compels audience members to determine whether there's a scenario in which a teacher-student flirtation is more understandable and even acceptable. In the end, everyone is a little bit guilty (some more than others), which is infinitely more interesting and realistic. Hoke never goes for the easy answers, leaving us to our own uneasy conclusions. ”
  • Composure by Scott Sickles
    5 Jan. 2017
    “ Intimate, well-crafted story that runs the gamut from love story to fallout from a tragedy. Sickles draws us in with compelling characters. We fall in love with Fletcher and Jeff as they fall in love with each other, before they even know that it's happening. The secrets that lie in their pasts, naturally, come back to haunt them, and here again Sickles proves to be exceedingly capable, breaking his characters down to make them even stronger, building to a triumphant finish. Destined to be a classic. ”
  • THE WAYS OF THE COWBOY by Paul Lewis
    31 Dec. 2016
    “ Beautiful. Captures a childhood innocence extraordinarily well, and reverberates with kindness, even in its saddest parts. Has a gentle humor woven throughout, particularly as Sam the Cowboy usually takes a moment to consider the things Sally, Leo and Mike have to tell him. (Love the horse's reaction to all the rattlesnake questions, too.) Lewis and his heroine Sally will change the way you look at fool's gold. ”
  • Can't Live Without You by Philip Middleton Williams
    29 Dec. 2016
    “ I love the concept of a fictional character confronting his creator about shoving his story into a desk drawer for years. Enjoyed the familiarity Donny and Bobby share - you cannot hide the truth from your own creation. Williams creates an engaging world with likable characters and an enjoyable, slightly world-weary tone. Anna and Barbara could be thankless parts, but in this playwright's capable hands they are strong in their own right. Williams has a gift for dialogue and for gently mocking romance novel language. We have as much fun as he does. ”
  • ELEVATOR GIRL by Donna Hoke
    22 Dec. 2016
    “ A fascinating, well-written approach to an uncomfortable, important topic. Strong, multi-dimensional characters, particularly Vanessa. I especially like the scene where Vanessa communicates only in knocks with the apparently "real" Elevator Girl. Richard and Peter are also fully-realized, each displaying dimensions of sympathetic and pathetic. Will launch discussions about rape culture and objectification that should be taking place. Sure to be a conversation starter. ”
  • Threatened Panda Fights Back by Rex McGregor
    22 Dec. 2016
    “ I had heard about this script, a pleasure to actually get to read here. Uproarious and delightfully, cheekily naughty. Had me the moment long-suffering Yan mutters "I wish you'd rock mine," after Ling lectures her about not rocking the boat. A cleverly irreverent twist on a serious topic. Destined to become a staple, and deservedly so. Bonus points for seeing the astonishing dearth of dodos in theatre and actually doing something about it. ”
  • & JULIET by Robert Caisley
    21 Dec. 2016
    “ Fabulous. Fraught with tension and simmering underlying agendas. Strong characters with strong motivations that defy easy explanations and characterizations. Gloriously messy and rich with conflict. Akin to watching characters, particularly Vaughn, unknowingly walk themselves deeper and deeper into the murk until they find themselves exploding. A tour de force. ”
  • ABSTRACT NUDE by Gwydion Suilebhan
    8 Dec. 2016
    “ Mesmerizing. The playwright shows great affection and understanding of his characters, interwoven together in fascinating ways. I was able to find a video online of the live-streamed digital play and was unable to stop watching. Suilebhan paints with a master's touch, folding and unfolding the actions of flawed, passionate, frustrated, yearning people. ”
  • The Fudgicle Thief by Bill Doncaster
    7 Dec. 2016
    “ A nice, poignant, funny snapshot of a boy sellin' ice cream and the girl he loves who done him wrong, once upon a time. In no time at all, we come to love Eddie and Angie, for and in spite of their flaws, and root for them both. Doncaster plies his dialogue with subtext and ample historical context for talented performers to draw upon, and ends on a hopeful note. Will leave audiences with a cozy feeling, a hankering for ice cream and someone to share it with. ”
  • Red Rover by John C Davenport
    7 Dec. 2016
    “ A purely fun outing, from the moment Dennis' friends start ragging on him about his car and the places he selects to revisit. As one who drives a 1977 Oldsmobile, Davenport has the older car details exactly right. The story deepens as the play progresses, as one by one, each friend reveals the truth about what they've been doing over the years and what they were really thinking in high school. The theatrical equivalent of its concept - a couple beers and memories with the guys. An homage to the dreams and harsh realities of growing up. Hilarious and heartfelt. ”

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