Martin needs names, names like film legends Sylvia Glenn and Leatrice Monsee, for the leads. Not one to go without a fight, Lettice engages the stoic, conventional Lotte in a battle to the death of all that is sacred to the Empire and the crown. Its decidedly uncomfortable; when it played on Broadway, many audience members simply left the theater. Agnes of God by John Pielmeier (US/UK)(Drama/ 3f)Summoned to a convent, Dr. Martha Livingstone, a court-appointed psychiatrist, is charged with assessing the sanity of a novice accused of murdering her newborn. Always irascible but now increasingly erratic, Gladys is a cause of concern to her daughter, her son-in-law, and her grandson, from whose point of view this poignant memory play is told. "The American Plan" is a comedy by Richard Greenberg that premiered Off-Broadway in 1991 and had a brief Broadway run in 2009, starring Mercedes Ruehl and Lily Rabe. She reaches into her own passel of friends and has herself declared "unincompetent," and returns home still in control of her wealth. The true magic of this play happens in the staging, which utilizes puppets with cage-style construction. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Though the title might sound modern, In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play) takes you back to the late 1880s. (Isnt theater grand?) Dont let the sharp wit and breezy dialogue of The History Boys food you this charming play has plenty to say. She begins her day, talking incessantly, with her daily prayer, brushing her teeth, drinking her tonic, and putting on her hat. Its an intense, uncomfortable look at the way women are treated, both in this sort-of futuristic place, but also in our modern world. Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell are showgirls and best friends who take control of their destinies by choosing to marry rich men. After he casually comes out as gay at a press conference, Lemming believes everything will be fine. She's been reading a lot of Sam Shepard, Michael Weller (her favorite), and an assortment of titles offered up by her professors ("My Night With Reg" has been humorously-NSFW-cover down on the coffee table for a week or so). Playwright: David Lindsay-AbaireLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Hall, who also wrote the book for Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, was inspired by her brother a Black, gay man living life in the south. Plays For Two Women. He has an opportunity to buy some land down-home, but he has to come up with the money right quick. A summer tea party on the brink of doom is how one production of Escaped Alone described the play. Based on the wild life of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, I Am My Own Wife is a one-person play about a German transvestite who lived from 1928-2002. 23. My Tweets Tag: strong female characters The Spanish Tragedy - Act One, Scenes 3-5: "They reck no laws that meditate revenge" Scene Three: In the Portuguese Court, the Viceroy of Portugal mourns his son, Prince Baltazar, who he believes was killed in battle. Five different women named Betty collide at the intersection of anger, sex, and the Thea-Tah.. Playwright: Taylor MacLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. But lasting happiness always eludes some people, and there was never any answer to the question with which Judy ended every show: "If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow, why, oh, why, can't I?" But the hilarity remains the same. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Home Theater Musicals and Plays 51 Contemporary Plays Written After 2000. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, which is based on the Mark Haddon novel of the same name, gives readers a peek into Christophers ultra-logical view of the world. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Nilo Cruz shows off his magical, almost lyrical, grasp of language in this lovely play. The TV industry seems obsessed with the silent-but-deadly female archetype. Though the script dives into racial issues and prejudice, it does so with a deft hand; Norris manages to create a riotously funny, deliciously witty story. (Or awarded a Tony, for that matter) Thats up to you to decide. Take the Netflix series Unbelievable, which is based on a distressing true story. Lincoln wants to make an honest living, but Booth cant help but bring him down. A Feminine Ending by Sarah Treem (US)(Dark Comedy / 2f, 3m)Having recently graduated from a major conservatory, and with a rocker boyfriend on the brink of stardom, aspiring composer Amanda Blues extraordinary life seems to be all mapped out. Ugly Lies the Bone - Lindsey Ferrentino (3w 2m) - Main character is a young woman who is a returning Afghanistan veteran. (Hence, the title.) After reviewing their escapades in past relationships and confessing their own mounting anxieties about commitment and the possibility of motherhood, the pair realize their best chance at love may be found closer than they ever imagined. Witty and charmingly outlandish, The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow offers a fresh, surprisingly insightful take on the human vs. technology theme. Today, you can produce the full, year-long play cycle or a selection of performances. In a symbiotic battle of wills, they delve into the dark woods of the past, unearthing a tragedy that shatters their notions of language, loneliness, and essential self. Last Of The Red Hot Lovers 3. Mrs. Danvers (Judith Anderson), Rebecca (1940) A warning to second wives and new girlfriends about the importance of tossing out all things and people belonging to your predecessor. This is not a play for the faint of heart it follows the meeting of a predator and his victim, now grown up. With humor and hope, the play examines how the entertainment industry has dealt with issues of race. This is contemporary theater at its most challenging: intentionally disjointed, full-on, and alternately hilarious and heartbreaking.Playwright: Alice BirchLicensing: Concord Theatricals. Before her special night is over, however, Annie and her friends enter into a life altering pact. Heroes of the Fourth Turning (2019) Whether youre looking for famous modern plays or contemporary comedic plays, weve got you covered. There are just two characters, and they never interact or meet face-to-face; all communication happens over a baby monitor. The script, which is designed to feel improvised, has a bit of a Leslie Knope vibe. Theater has always been a sign of the times and we are living through an unprecedented period of social awakening and unrest. And for the sexism of these chauvinist drivers? Thats reflected in contemporary plays, which offer heartbreaking insights and breathtaking hilarity in equal measure. who talk to each other. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. With this reality hanging over the gathering, each family member begins to spin their tale. The club is run by a gang of misfits, who . Where better to begin than with four housewives in a suburban New Jersey cul-de-sac? Lost in Yonkers by Neil Simon (US/UK)(Dramatic Comedy / 3f, 4m)Bella is thirty-five years old, mentally challenged, and living at home with her mother, stern Grandma Kurnitz. A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry (US/UK)(Drama / 3f, 7m, 1 boy)Set on Chicagos South Side, the plot revolves around the divergent dreams and conflicts within three generations of the Younger family: Walter Lee, his wife Ruth, his sister Beneatha, his son Travis, and matriarch Lena. What is the competition? Get the book. Its a fascinating reimagining of the Oedipus Rex story. The play runs for less than an hour, which is just the right length; it provides enough time to absorb the jarring content, but not enough for viewers and readers to tire of the conceit. Will Martin be able to resolve this titanic dilemma? When Franklins mother arrives, full of disapproval, conflict ensues. When Hannahs sister appears on their doorstep, she brings with her a renegade attitude and an illicit package that send David and Hannah on a 12-hour odyssey into the heart of their deepest fears. Shes got supernatural abilities owing to her true identitythe Greek god Dionysusand she's returned to the modern world to gather mortal followers and restore the Earth to its natural state. "She just has this plethora of knowledge and wit you wouldn't expect from someone her age," Page. Both characters are fully fleshed-out with individual histories and viewpoints that make the dialogue even more meaningful. This contemporary play is equal parts funny and tragic, revealing the wild passions and anger that flow beneath a seemingly civilized middle-class life. (Titles 59 and 60 are set for publication in 2019). February 6, 2016 jowritesstuff. Then comes Act 2 the action begins again, this time observed and commented on by a group of white characters. When a racist and bigoted pitcher joins the team, everything descends into chaos. War Horse is about you guessed it a horse that goes to war. The play has ghosts, prosthetic hands, and gold toilet seats what more could you want? A hilarious evisceration of the blind eye we all turn to climate change and the bacchanalian catharsis that awaits us, even in our own backyards. Are you looking for new plays to read or perform? Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl (US/UK)(Dramatic Comedy / 2f, 5m)Dying too young on her wedding day, Eurydice must journey to the underworld, where she reunites with her father and struggles to remember her lost love. 3. [229] Brothers Lincoln and Booth yes, the names are intentional are just trying to stay afloat after a challenging upbringing. It follows her struggle to overcome PTSD and to rejoin her community after being severely wounded by a roadside bomb. Women Who Dress as Men. Dance Nation by Clare Barron (US/UK)(Dramatic Comedy / 9f, 2m)Somewhere in America, an army of pre-teen competitive dancers plots to take over the world. When youre in the right headspace, its a rich and rewarding journey. Playwright: Roy WilliamsLicensing: Concord Theatricals (UK). A Bright Room Called Day 2. A play that focuses upon realism is called a _____ play. Four powerful short plays for powerful people! At its core, the play is a thoughtful (but thankfully, not exhausting) meditation on the relationship between humans and technology.Playwright: Madeleine GeorgeLicensing: Concord Theatricals. By Jex Butterworth. How to Transcend a Happy Marriage by Sarah Ruhl (US/UK)(Comedy / 4f, 4m)At a dinner party in New Jersey, two couples discuss polyamory as brought up by the introduction of a new temp, Pip, in Janes office. In the end Annies choices propel her onto an irreversible path in this story that combines wit, poetry, and hope. Last Dance by Marsha Norman (US)(Comedy / 2f, 2m) Claiming that she is tired of love, an aging but still beautiful poet from the American South who now lives on the coast of France has decided to give away her young lover. Walter Lee, a chauffeur, has other plans: buying a liquor store and being his own man. The City of Conversation by Anthony Giardina (US/UK)(Drama / 4fm, 4m, 1 boy)In 1979, Washington D.C. was a place where people actually talked to each otherwhere adversaries fought it out on the Senate floor and then smoothed it out over drinks and hors d'oeuvres. It is a charming tale about what happens when lovers share a stage kissor when actors share a real one. This debut play from playwright-of-the-minute Jez Butterworth (Jerusalem, The Ferryman) is a dream for a university aged actors. Is a charming tale about what happens when lovers share a real one when share... After 2000 into a life altering pact up to you to decide uncomfortable ; when it on... And best friends who take control of their destinies by choosing to rich. The right headspace, its a fascinating reimagining of the Fourth Turning ( ). Destinies by choosing to marry rich men, poetry, and they interact. Before her special night is over, however, Annie and her friends into. 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