What I've been Reading

While on my beach trip, I read eight plays published after 2000. Just for fun, I decided to summarize/review them. 

This Is Our Youth (2000) by Kenneth Lonergan
Warren comes over to Jeff's place after stealing $15,000 from his sketchy dad. They decide to buy and sell cocaine to make a profit with the money before returning it. Warren blows a ton of cash on his crush Jessica. Getting all the money back is harder than expected. There were so many great monologues and some unexpected plots twists.  I would love to play Jessica!

Suburbia (2009) by Eric Bogosian
A group of burn-outs hang out, drink beer, and loiter outside a convenience store in the suburbs.. Their friend Pony has become a successful musician and is coming into town to catch up with them. The group's feelings toward Pony range from jealous to spiteful. These young adults express a struggle to find meaning in their lives. Is it art if you have no audience? What does it mean to be a "real" American? I liked this story and the poetic language. 

Bachelorette (2011) by Leslye Headland
Bachelorette is about some gal pals getting together the night before fat Becky's wedding. Gena and Becky are a cocaine-smuggling, binge-drinking nightmares. Regan is a backstabbing bitch. “Katie” is my new dream role. Someone please direct and cast me in this. This contains a lot of adult humor, but if you’re looking for a funny script with women characters, look no further. 10 outta 10 would recommend!  

Circle Mirror Transformation (2012) by Annie Baker
Five characters enjoy a six week community acting class in Vermont. Through games and exercises, the teacher and students learn about each other on a personal level. I almost cried, because it was so sweet. Growth happens when you go outside your comfort zone and befriend strangers in acting class.

Some Girl(s) (2005) by Neil LaBute
"Guy," decides to visit some of his ex girlfriends before he gets married. He travels across the country so he can apologize to each of them. I watched the movie version with Adam Brodie, which was mehhhorible. In my opinion, the dialogue was a bit boring, but there are some strong female characters and nice monologues?  

Reasons to be Pretty (2008) by Neil LaBute
Everything is set in motion when Steph finds out her boyfriend, Greg, said her face is “just regular.” Steph is so upset, that nothing Greg can say or do can keep them together. Kent and Carly, have even bigger problems when Kent gets kinky with the new girl. I enjoyed reading this scrip. My only complaint is the repetitive dialogue. Hello? Hello! Hello? No. No! No. No! NOOOOOO! Hello? NOOOOO!

Reasons to be Happy (2013) by Neil LaBute
This is the sequel to Reasons to be Pretty. There’s new drama brewing between the four characters as Greg is now head over heels for both Steph and Carly. Again, it was sort of repetitive dialogue, but I like it and would go see it. 

Kitty Kitty Kitty (2006) by Noah Haidle
This is the obscure, perverted, offensive  tale of a suicidal cat, Kitty, that gets cloned by a lonely scientist. Kitty starts an inappropriate relationship with his clone, Kitty Kitty. When Kitty Kitty is adopted, Kitty is sad again and decides to clone himself three more times to create Kitty Kitty Kitty, Kitty Kitty Kitty Kitty , and finally Kitty Kitty Kitty Kitty Kitty. However, these new clones suck and his one true love is Kitty Kitty. Now they must find each other against all odds. I only checked out this script, because I was amused by the title and holy cannoli it was WEIRD. I would pay GOOD money to see this. #kittyandkittykittyforever