Customer Reviews

The Best American Short Plays 2007-2008

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This is a fantastic collection of the best one-act plays from very talented and expressive American playwrights. Highlights include Joe Maruzzo's wonderfully poignant "Bricklayers Poet," the witty and vulnerable "The Perfect Relationship" by Jill Elaine Hughes, and Cary Pepper's challenging and confrontational "House of the Holy Moment." As good as all the plays are, the very best is Jay Huling's bombastic and laugh-out-loud funny "Elvis of Nazareth." Huling places his Elvis Presley in a biblical fantasy that manages to show both reverence and near-blasphamy in almost the same breath. Other impressive playwrights in this work include Murray Schisgal, who wrote the screenplay for the motion picture "Tootsie," Theodore Mann, who co-founded New York's famous Circle in the Square Theatre, and the often-produced and multi-award winning Laura Shaine. All of these plays -- from Jay Huling's "Elvis of Nazareth" to Jeni Mahoney's very witty "Light" would make an excellent evening of theatre that would entertain and inspire audiences. At the very least, it's an enjoyable and easy read.

Every one of these short plays hits a homerun in their own way. And they all need only a small cast, have uncomplicated sets, and offer very good roles for men and women. Outstanding works by Adam Kraar, Michael Roderick, and Rick Pulos. "Elvis of Nazereth" by Jay Huling was very funny, and I got to meet Mr. Huling at the Tennessee Stage Company when they were producing one of his more well-known comedies. If you are looking for plays that are a quick read, offer a variety of comedy and drama, and have a freshness from the most cutting-edge voices in American theatre, this book is a great choice.

Another good collection. I liked Eileen Fischer's Perfect Medium, on a "revival" of Oscar Wilde.