Contemporary

Full-Length Plays

Amici

What happens when one woman keeps returning to the same restaurant, sometimes with one man, sometimes with another? The circumspect waiter may keep it to himself, but he can’t help but notice. Samantha knows she loves Amici Trattoria, but she can’t seem to decide between her husband and her mentor. If only choosing a lover were as easy as choosing a restaurant! [See excerpt.]

Circles

Five women have been invited to join Emily for her 50th birthday. Four are long-time friends, one Emily's older sister, one is new to the circle. Asked to bring a gift that can't be wrapped, Cass cooks borscht; Gertie brings a Celtic waulking song; Mona a spiritual vision, Jo cleans house, and Maria Evangelina—? As the women share their joys and fears, their motivations and philosophies, they find that the bond of their friendship is their strongest support system. [See excerpt.]

Medea’s Ghost

Convicted of the most unforgivable of crimes, Mary is haunted by the media circus surrounding her case and, surreally, by two ghosts of Greek tragedy. A Mexican immigrant named Teresa finds herself inexorably drawn to Mary by fate and circumstance, and visits her in prison. Their emotional journey toward personal redemption lays bare the darkest territories of the human soul, where only grace dares shed its light. [See excerpt.]

Cheap Food and Sex

When two therapies converge in the Arizona desert, love is in the air; but supporting his mom’s way of healing her inner child still isn’t enough to prepare Garth for Frank’s ‘great white hunter’ ritual—or for his New York daughter, Serena. Sometimes a good laugh at ourselves is the best way to communicate and, maybe, the only way to heal the planet. . [See excerpt.]

Fred and Mary: An Unconventional Romance
Spanning the years 1876 to 1958, this quasi-historical play centers on the life of Mary Colter who designed Phantom Ranch, Hopi House, and six other buildings at the Grand Canyon, along with a host of other buildings; and her relationship with Fred Harvey, who, along with his prim waitresses, dubbed “The Harvey Girls,” have been credited with civilizing the West. Together, their reverence for and promotion of Indian art and culture laid the groundwork for what the Southwest is today. But did their collaboration help to preserve Native culture or destroy it? [See excerpt.] | [See slideshow]

Short Plays

The Hike

When Kelly finally gets to go on the hike Dad always promised to share with her, Dad isn’t there. Or is he? [See excerpt.]

All the Glory

The Angel Bob is fed up. Not only is his earthly charge particularly difficult, but none of his assignments are noteworthy. Gabriel gets to announce a virgin birth for Heaven’s sake! Still, when Bob enters God’s office to complain, he learns that the Almighty has a surprise for him. [See excerpt.]

The Face in the Mirror

Brandy and Jane have spent the day selling their mother’s belongings. Now that the estate-sale hyenas have left, the sisters explore divergent attitudes about “that face in the mirror.” [See excerpt.]

Elkhorn Slough (Version 1.0) and (Version 2.0) The Marsh

When Claire’s car breaks down on Highway 1, near Elkhorn Slough, Kelly confronts her sister about their last episode together there. But the attack by the goose was not the most dramatic thing that ever happened there, says Claire. It was that time with Seamus. In The Marsh, it is a mother and daughter who share these quite unexpected experiences. [See excerpt.]

God's Tears

How does a mother deal with the loss of a child? As seemingly fragile Peg Warren emerges from a courtroom, she is confronted by a cacophony of reporters' voices, but the brash reporter who interviews her finds he is the weaker of the two. [See excerpt.]

Lunch at McDonald’s

Something cosmic must have drawn these two vegetarians into the McDonald’s restaurant lost in the Arizona desert. As Mars explores the alien menu, her son becomes more and more agitated. Nonetheless, there is something charming about this never-grown-up flower child, and we cannot help but enjoy watching her antics as she discovers love in the unlikeliest of places. [See excerpt.]

The Source

The shit hits the fan when A & R rep Sal Danzer prepares to cancel a contract with jazz pianist Cecil Thomas. [See excerpt.]

Toon in for a Date

Amanda and Grace each have a decision to make. What could be more important that answering the age-old question: If you were to date a toon, which toon would you date? [ See excerpt. ]

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