Playwright: Doug WrightLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. The main character, Major Kusanagi, is a cyborg woman who uses her post-human body to confront a terrorist threat. The script is nuanced and heart-rending, offering an in-depth look at privilege of all kinds. Conversation and arguments rise and fall as the cast processes the horrifying events and the broader implications on the world at large. Lincoln wants to make an honest living, but Booth cant help but bring him down. Related: A Young Woman Endures the Civil War in This Historical Fiction Novel Amazon Apple Books Barnes & Noble Well, they're all played by women! Orgasms. In a truly remarkable feat, Suzan-Lori Parks wrote one play every day for a full year. Posted: 3/30/09 at 12:41pm. 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. The Roommate by Jen Silverman (US/UK)(Dark Comedy / 2f)Sharon, in her mid-fifties, is recently divorced and needs a roommate to share her Iowa home. By Jex Butterworth. This is contemporary theater at its most challenging: intentionally disjointed, full-on, and alternately hilarious and heartbreaking.Playwright: Alice BirchLicensing: Concord Theatricals. Unfortunately, because of copyright restrictions, we cannot sell to persons in your country. Playwright: John CarianiLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Despite its epic title, God of Carnage revolves around a schoolyard conflict between two boys. 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. Role of women in The Merchant of Venice. X-23 (Dafne Keen) in Logan. When reviewing the 2013 Broadway production for the New York Post, Elisabeth Vincentelli commented, this is the kind of full-on comedy thats sadly rare on Broadway and we couldnt agree more! Samuel Becketts classic absurdism comes to life in this drama about happy days.. Breadcrumbs by Jennifer Haley (US/UK)(Drama / 2f)A reclusive fiction writer diagnosed with dementia must depend upon a troubled young caretaker to complete her autobiography. She begins her day, talking incessantly, with her daily prayer, brushing her teeth, drinking her tonic, and putting on her hat. Kincaid. Playwright: Martyna MajokLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Jeremy O. Harris shot to fame with Slave Play; with Daddy, he seems determined to shock audiences. Playwright: Jackie Sibblies DruryLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. What is the cost of revealing your true self in a time of trouble? She certainly exercises power over her husband, Macbeth, in the first half of the play, as she encourages him to murder Duncan. My wife is a theater major who is in an upcoming prestigious national scholarship competition and needs material to mine. Themes include contemporary politics, slavery, historical marriages, senior comedy, surreal time-shifts, Shakespeare comedy, campers, birdwatchers, newlyweds, coming of age, participatory plays. oppressed and dismissed. Its 1929, and youre a Cuban immigrant in a Florida cigar factory in Tampa. The awards were mainly for Eclipsed, her 2009 play which started Off-Broadway and is set in war-torn Liberia where three women live as sex slaves to a rebel commander. Topdog/Underdog is one of the best contemporary plays from one of the most celebrated modern playwrights: Suzan-Lori Parks. This unusual and witty play jumps around in time, showcasing four different Watsons (both real and fictional, human and computer) and their Holmes-inspired counterparts. Two nuns, a priest, and the mother of a young student tell the story of potential abuse and the doubt that surrounds the accusation. Ask MetaFilter is a question and answer site that covers nearly any question on earth, where members help each other solve problems. This article contains a list of the best modern plays written after the year 2000. The dark secrets of a Catholic school come to the surface in this deep, moving contemporary play from John Patrick Shanley. August Osage County is one of the most bracing and applauded contemporary plays in recent history. The Odd Couple, Female Version by Neil Simon (US/UK)(Comedy / 6f, 2m)Unger and Madison are at it again! To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The main plot is fine, but the real delight is in the sweet subplot that features Lemmings accountant falling in love with the game.Take Me Out is fun and snappy; it won the Tony Award for Best Play in 2003, Playwright: Richard GreenbergLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Will 'Star Wars: The Play' hit the big time? The play is set at a Catskills resort in 1960, where the widowed Eva Adler is vacationing with her 20-year-old daughter, Lili. Its set in 2000, but the story rings disconcertingly true for modern day. Neither impressed or entertained by Lettices freewheeling history lessons, Schon fires her. Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell are showgirls and best friends who take control of their destinies by choosing to marry rich men. With humor and hope, the play examines how the entertainment industry has dealt with issues of race. Who knows perhaps they were gathered in the Lower Room. Definitely a lot to chew on in that role. But to score a rare meeting with their comic book idol, teenage outcasts Dayna and Honey will take on obsessive magic players, Jedis and elfs, cosplayers and convention guards - through all nine flights of Ohio's Dante's Fire-Con. Indecent traces the life of the play through history, jumping from the first performance in Berlin to the 1923 Broadway premiere, when the ensemble is arrested on charges of obscenity. Ariane Lange 4.. Women were considered the weaker gender and always in need of being protected. Since he has produced only one off-Broadway project, something called 'Craps! 25. Most have a compelling present-tense action for actors to perform. She's a Diabolic, created for one purpose onlyto protect her person, Sidonia. This contemporary play is equal parts funny and tragic, revealing the wild passions and anger that flow beneath a seemingly civilized middle-class life. Now Walsh must go away forever, but not before securing Rose's financial future with an extraordinary proposal that promises to change everything. A dark comedy about what it takes to re-route your life and what happens when the wheels come off. It examines the various problems in the script, discusses race as a social construct, and explores the idea of blackface (and whiteface and redface) to pinpoint exactly whats upsetting about it. The Younger familys heroic struggle to retain dignity in a harsh and changing world is a searing and timeless document of hope and inspiration. Many of the above suggestions are great, but very very tricky because they have been done so much, and often with really iconic performances that the judges will know. On the surface, Fairview seems like a relatively standard family drama. Day after day they struggle with infertility, and Hannah herself is on the verge of being laid off. The characters are flawed and funnyand youll be glad you dont have to hang out with them in real life. Will Bridget be able to handle all the excitement? Goldas Balcony by William Gibson (US)(Drama / 1f)This tight-knit story of war and peace opens in 1973, on the eve of the Yom Kippur War, and uses flashbacks to let Golda tell the story of her life: her journey from her birthplace in Russia to the United States where she settled in Milwaukee, became a school teacher and married. 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. The curious structure is a surprisingly effective way to illuminate issues of racial disparity and prejudice. 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. Most people, when you mention theatre, think of the classics: A Streetcar Named Desire, The Importance of Being Earnest, Hamlet, Tartuffe, Uncle Vanya, Waiting for Godot . The Agitators by Mat Smart (US/UK)(Drama / 1f, 1m) Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass are young abolitionists when they met in Rochester in the 1840s, full of hopes, dreams, and a common purpose. Her volunteer hospice worker, Glorie, is a Harvard MBA recently transplanted to this rural backwater from New York. 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. Robyn, also in her mid-fifties, needs a place to hide and a chance to start over. 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. Ugly Lies the Bone by Lindsey Ferrentino (US/UK)(Drama / 3f, 2m)Newly discharged soldier Jess has finally returned to her Florida hometown. Its not uplifting the characters anger and bitterness jump off the page but its certainly illuminating. Drop Dead! With contemporary characters, ingenious plot twists, and breathtaking visual effects, the play is a fresh look at a timeless love story. Playwright: Annie BakerLicensing: Concord Theatricals. Addiction, trauma, and family relationships intertwine as in life painting a crushing picture of people who are simply trying to hang on. Each of our picks was written after 2000; youll find the date after each title, as well as a link to the license. A remarkably powerful and compassionate portrait of a contemporary American woman striving for grace. Playwright: Katori HallLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. There are just two characters, and they never interact or meet face-to-face; all communication happens over a baby monitor. As he perfects his recipe, the chaos of his chosen and biological family swirls around him in the kitchen. Slave Play is a fearless and unexpected examination of race and sex. The script is based on a childrens novel, and it shows; its simple, emotional, and undeniably moving. Recommended for ages 8+ Ugly Lies the Bone - Lindsey Ferrentino (3w 2m) - Main character is a young woman who is a returning Afghanistan veteran. Manage Settings August Osage County, by Tracy Letts. Brothers Lincoln and Booth yes, the names are intentional are just trying to stay afloat after a challenging upbringing. Inside the confining walls of Mount Airy Nursing Home, the two plot an escape to Paris aboard the QE2. Bunny 10. You've put MetaFilter on the road to Revival! The Flick is a monster of a play; it runs for 3 hours. Then comes Act 2 the action begins again, this time observed and commented on by a group of white characters. Legends! Last Of The Red Hot Lovers 3. 23 Musical Theater Audition Songs for Tenors, 59 Best Musicals for High School: The Ultimate List, 21 Contemporary Legit Soprano Musical Theatre Songs. Blithe Spirit by Nol Coward (US/UK)(Comedy / 5f, 2m)Fussy, cantankerous novelist Charles Condomine is re-married but haunted (literally) by the ghost of his late first wife, the clever and insistent Elvira who is called up by a visiting happy medium, one Madame Arcati. Wealthy woman were highly educated but they had no . Running barefoot in the park would be a start. Stage Kiss captures Sarah Ruhls singular voice. Her memory is jogged by the fact that she and her four siblings are in their fathers hospital room during his final moments. (And it doesnt stop there.) Single Black Female by Lisa. . Through the use of virtual reality video game therapy, she builds a breathtaking new world where she can escape her pain. Well, heres a plot point you wont be expecting a man falls in love with a goat. Acting scripts for two actors. Kill Bill (2003) - The Bride (Uma Thurman) For the record, there are several Tarantino classics which feature a strong female lead ( Pulp Fiction, True Romance, From Dusk Till Dawn ), but Kill Bill has to take the cake. 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? Best Modern Plays. Here's 15 Best Short Plays with Strong Female Lead for auditions, workshops, actor reels, performances, castings and theatre productions. This contemporary play knows that were not safe, even in the theater and it reacts with a ferocious roar of rage, lambasting the ways women are (still!) A bittersweet play about dreams deferred, loves lost, and learning to trust a womans voice in a mans world. Its 1906, and Sholem Asch has just finished writing the shocking God of Vengeance, a play Yiddish play about the love affair between two women. Euripides was one of the most well-known playwrights of ancient Greece. Its not meant to be an outrageous comedy; rather, Albee explores human proclivities with distressing honesty. (In some cases, "allegedly" strong female characters -- see criticisms below.) 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. The genre emerged as a musical expression of the second-wave feminist movement [228] as well as the labour , civil rights , and peace movements . As Jess advances farther in the game, she begins to restore her relationships, her life, and, slowly, herself. February 6, 2016 jowritesstuff. Its not at all preachy; after speaking out publicly, DHH himself ends up making a poor casting choice and finding a creative way to deal with the consequences. Join 8,027 readers in helping fund MetaFilter. saving. volcanic iceland epic trip Without being heavy handed or boring, Schreck tackles everything from abuse to the people who are ignored by the Constitution (hint: its most of us). 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. Its one of those modern plays thats so easy to watch that the raw moments hit you that much harder. This Pulitzer and Tony finalist isnt shocking; rather, its funny and surprisingly sensitive. Unsurprisingly, audiences and critics had a mixed reaction to the protracted Chekhovian theatrical experience (the first act alone clocked in at nearly 2 hours), but the strong writing won out; Baker came away with the 2014 Pulitzer. 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. She has already rejected several offers because the antique piano is covered with incredible carvings detailing the familys rise from slavery. about something other than a man. This debut play from playwright-of-the-minute Jez Butterworth (Jerusalem, The Ferryman) is a dream for a university aged actors. And if their new routine is good enough, theyll claw their way to the top at Nationals in Tampa Bay. She befriends Malik, who promises a bright future, and Keera, whose evangelical leanings inspire Annie in a way her young parents have not been able to do. If Liz can keep this talented yet volatile young star in line, she just might end up making not only his career, but her own as well. Drama, drama everywherebut not a play in sight. Perfect for auditions or class. Dolly subsequently becomes involved with two of Vandergelder's clerks, several lovely ladies, and the headwaiter at an expensive restaurant where this swift farce runs headlong into hilarious complications. The body of Quinns brother, who disappeared after Quinn left the group, has turned up, and the IRA wants to avoid any accusations. Playwright: Jeremy O. HarrisLicensing: Concord Theatricals. The TV industry seems obsessed with the silent-but-deadly female archetype. Each story explores a different topic about what it means to be an American. 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. Now more than ever, we need strong female characters center stage.Our catalog is rich with juicy, nuanced roles for women. As "men", these characters have more freedom, highlighting the lack of social liberty for women in Shakespeare's time. This is a tale of sibling rivalry the kind that comes with devastating consequences. The landscape of modern theater is expansive and often bizarre; you never know what youre going to stumble upon. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The premise of The Hot Wing King is simple; Cordell is out to win an annual hot wing competition in Memphis. Blink is an intimate, quirky little romantic comedy dont worry, its not too sweet. All Read more A play that focuses upon realism is called a _____ play. Emotion, history, and passion combine in this remarkable theatrical accomplishment. Chicha, The Emperor's New Groove Walt Disney Animation Chicha has a "no nonsense" attitude and. Witty and charmingly outlandish, The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow offers a fresh, surprisingly insightful take on the human vs. technology theme. Inspired by the real childhood of playwright Robert OHara, the script is simultaneously funny and poignant. Playwright: Alan BennettLicensing: Concord Theatricals. Civil war is raging in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mama Nadi is trying to keep her head above water. B. Thompson (US/UK)(Dramatic Comedy / 2f)A two-woman show with rapid-fire comic vignettes that explore the lives of thirty-something African American middle-class women in urban America as they search for love, clothes, and dignity in a world that fails to recognize them amongst a parade of stereotypical images. 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