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. Nemesis The Diabolic by S.J. The women were mainly strong and are . Header image: Broadway production of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson (Julieta Cervantes). 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. Will 'Star Wars: The Play' hit the big time? Its decidedly uncomfortable; when it played on Broadway, many audience members simply left the theater. It is a charming tale about what happens when lovers share a stage kissor when actors share a real one. What Francis doesnt realize is that the real Roscoe is dead hes actually working for Roscoes sister, Rachel, whos pretending to be her brother. Circe. 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. The power of the writing was clear from the start; August: Osage County won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for drama and ran for nearly two years on Broadway. This contemporary play is equal parts funny and tragic, revealing the wild passions and anger that flow beneath a seemingly civilized middle-class life. Monroe's iconic rendition of "Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend". Drama, drama everywherebut not a play in sight. By Janet Allard (US)(Comedy / 6f)In this breezy "NASComedy" the fast lane is stalled to a screeching halt by the arrival of a woman driver on the NASCAR scene, and egos get bruised as Holly "Legs" Nelson starts stealing the show, driving so fast some think she's cheating. Its mounted frequently at theaters around the country, cementing its place as one of the most famous modern plays. This contemporary play is equal parts funny and tragic, revealing the wild passions and anger that flow beneath a seemingly civilized middle-class life. Watch actress Kate Fleetwood perform the famous 'Come, you spirits' scene here: Beatrice. Her goddaughter thinks she has actually fallen in love with a local fisherman while her dashing friend believes she is finally ready to accept his proposal. Addiction, trauma, and family relationships intertwine as in life painting a crushing picture of people who are simply trying to hang on. Ida is sweet tempered and ready to begin a new life; Lucille is a feisty embodiment of the girl who just wants to have fun; and Doris is priggish and judgmental, particularly when Sam the butcher enters the scene. Teamwork, courage, loyalty, compassion, generosity, and perseverance are just a few of the traits that make Hermione such a memorable and beloved character. This beautiful young woman is Wills greatest admirer and will stop at nothing (including breaking the law) to appear in his next play. Inspired by the real childhood of playwright Robert OHara, the script is simultaneously funny and poignant. Shanleys nuanced writing is sure to have you questioning yourself and your assumptions at every turn. These monologues are from published plays and movies as well as from both contemporary and classical time periods. If Martin can sign them he can get the money. She has already rejected several offers because the antique piano is covered with incredible carvings detailing the familys rise from slavery. Baby Taj by Tanya Shaffer (US)(Comedy/ 6f, 5m)The legendary Taj Mahal is the next assignment for Rachel, an American travel writer whose failed romances have led her to ask: Why not have the baby she craves on her own? End of the Rainbow by Peter Quilter (US)(Drama / 1f, 3m)A musical drama of Judy Garland's "come-back" concerts Christmas 1968: with a six-week booking at London's Talk of the Town, it looks like Judy Garland is set firmly on the comeback trail. As a tour guide at Fustian House, one of the least stately of Londons stately homes, she theatrically embellishes its historical past, ultimately coming up on the radar of Lotte Schon, an inspector from the Preservation Trust. The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder (US/UK)(Comedy / 7f, 9m)Horace Vandergelder, a wealthy merchant in nineteenth-century Yonkers, NY, decides to take a wife and employs a matchmaker, Mrs. Dolly Levi. The economic collapse has affected Hannah and David's relationship, and Moore's comedy subversively captures the truth buried beneath the laughs. Stuck in the middle is Liams brother, Jonah, who tries to stay out of the fray. Their creativity, depth, and characters have set a new standard for playwrights for generations to come. This Dora Milaje General is a symbol of . She's a model for all female journalists. The club is run by a gang of misfits, who . With comments by those who reviewed their productions, here are our updated picks for the Best Plays of the 21st Century.so far. While embodying a variety of characters, the girlfriends discuss the absurdities of interracial dating, the lure of recreational shopping, and the merits of college reunions for bolstering ones self-esteem. Sale 2,895 Reviews Heart Is A Lonely Hunter 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. And if their new routine is good enough, theyll claw their way to the top at Nationals in Tampa Bay. Playwright: Yasmina Reza (translator: Christopher Hampton) Licensing: Dramatists Play Service 17. How will the widows respond as their idyllic town and lifestyle faces attacks? She deftly integrates the social and political context of the time, offering insights into the attitudes and behaviors of her characters. ', Martin's calls are not being returned by the powerful Broadway magnates capable of getting this play to the Great White Way. This is a contemporary play set in Victorian times, when male doctors lavished the diagnosis of hysteria on female patients. The play has ghosts, prosthetic hands, and gold toilet seats what more could you want? Playwright: Suzan-Lori ParksLicensing: Dramatists Play Service, Its 7 minutes after midnight, and 15-year-old Christopher Boone has made a horrifying discovery his neighbors dog has been murdered with a garden fork. SBF 1, an English literature professor, and SBF 2, a corporate lawyer, keep each other balanced as they face their fears of rejection, hopes for romance, and reminisce about black girlhood wounds. They are guilt-stricken when this nearly breaks Idas heart. Playwright: Jeremy O. HarrisLicensing: Not available. "If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't . War Horse is about you guessed it a horse that goes to war. Best Contemporary Monologues for Women 18-35 Lawrence Harbison has selected 100 terrific monologues for women from contemporary plays, all by characters between the ages of 18 and 35. It's set in a 1950s Soho night club, but feels nothing like the period pieces you're used to. Bunny 10. As Michael takes Lily in his arms on their final meeting, they both transcend fear and mortality while the sun sets on their last dance. The Waverly Gallery by Kenneth Lonergan (US/UK)(Comedy / 2f, 3m)Gladys, the elderly matriarch of the Green family, has run an art gallery in a small Greenwich Village hotel for many years. Poetic Licence 13. This Pulitzer-winning play isnt saccharine or melodramatic, but heartbreakingly honest; anyone who has ever walked (or crawled) through the valley of the shadow will find connection to the emotional story. Silent Sky- Lauren Gunderson (4w,1m) --Could double cast if you have more students. At forty-six and with new flame Mickey Deans at her side, she seems determined to carry it off and recapture her magic. Part autobiography, part history lesson, part social commentary, What the Constitution Means to Me is one of the most unusual contemporary plays on our list. How "contemporary" are we talking here? Women Who Dress as Men. 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. Angelina Jolie - Jolie has played a number of strong female characters. (Hence, the title.) Text Kim Cole #Matter 0 She reaches into her own passel of friends and has herself declared "unincompetent," and returns home still in control of her wealth. Whether youre looking for famous modern plays or contemporary comedic plays, weve got you covered. Five different women named Betty collide at the intersection of anger, sex, and the Thea-Tah.. A Very Rich Woman by Ruth Gordon (US)(Comedy / 8f, 7m)Ruth Gordon played the part of a Boston widow with a rather common background, who together with her husband built an enviable fortune the hard way. is an unexpected offering from Edward Albee. . The wildest part about the story is that its based in fact. Stage Kiss captures Sarah Ruhls singular voice. And Betty keeps using a small hand mirror to stare into parts of herself shes never examined. She finds unexpected answers and larger questions among the glittering legacies of India's past. Somewhere there is Willie, and Winnie wishes he would come out where she could see him. Its a chilling warning of the dangers of nationalism. 20 Funny Contemporary Comedic Monologues For Women From Plays 1. Playwright: David Lindsay-AbaireLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. After premiering at the Edinburgh International Festival, this play went on to win the Olivier award for Best New Play and the Tony for Best Revival of a Play. Rose and Walsh by Neil Simon (US/UK)(Comedy / 2f, 2m)At a beautiful beach house on the tip of Long Island, Rose, a celebrated but near penniless author, receives nightly visits from Walsh, the love of her life and a famous writer himself. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers The Heart is a Lonely Hunter tells the story of 5 young misfits who form a bond founded on their shared isolation. The script isnt without its flaws, but its funny, touching, and worth a read. Though critics described the plot as lopsided and meandering (and it is both), this new play won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. What is the competition? Playwright: Annie BakerLicensing: Concord Theatricals. The failed marriages, the suicide attempts, and the addictions are all behind her. What does your wife do? It is a charming tale about what happens when lovers share a stage kissor when actors share a real one. Written by multiple award-winning playwright Jane Shepard. about something other than a man. In one corner is Daphna Feygenbam, a Real Jew who is volatile, self-assured, and unbending. You might even learn a thing or two; Prebble manages to make complicated concepts feel more accessible. 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