Customer Reviews

Plays and Playwrights 2003

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have purchased and read all 4 volumes in this remarkable series edited by Martin Denton, chief reviewer at the New York Theatre Experience, and I highly recommend any or all. If fact, my reasons for recommending are the same for each: First, the collections are brilliant snapshots of what's new in the downtown NYC theatre scene. Second, each script is fresh and amazing on its own. Third, the diversity of styles and textures is remarkable for any play anthology. Fourth, where else can you get this many modern plays for such a price! And none of them can be found elsewhere. I have been an actor and director for 30 years and believe me, whether you are an actor, director, playwright, producer or patron, you will do yourself a favor by purchasing as many of these volumes as you can (and look for future year's editions).

This book is an excellent representation of the off-off-Broadway scene, with all sorts of styles on display. Not all the plays are brilliant, but they are all worth a read. In particular, Last Call is excellent- a modern Iceman Cometh with a slacker mentality- although it does use a lot of foul language, which some might find offensive.

It's been a long time since a book of plays inspired ANY sort of reaction...this is a mixed bag, but at least the work [for the most part] feels as new as the title promises. Worth a read, whether or not you love everything you find. [strongest piece? Leon Chase's oil stained rag of a masterpiece...raw, rough and brilliant].

What a great set of plays by up and coming playwrights- really gives one a sense of what's going on in NYC in the Indie scene. I hope this whole series comes out on Kindle soon.

Why is this book priced at an exorbitant amount? Every other book in this anthology is priced at a sane level.

The title of this review says it all. I was expecting some hip, exciting work from NY's young up-and-comers, and I'm sad to say I've read/heard/seen better from unpublished playwrights in other parts of the country. Disappointing.

it's a collection of plays from various folks. most of which no one has ever heard of and for very good reasons. i came across this because it was suggested by a friend I laughed at him and then laughed at this... thing.