This annual festival of new American short plays from top playwrights (like Tony nominee Neil Labute) returns to 59E59 for its 10th consecutive year. More…
The festival's two separate series consist of three plays each, and run in rotating repertory.
'The Helpers' by Cusi Cram
Directed by Jessi D. Hill
Jane and Nate have a complicated and thorny past. Jane used to help Nate but, now that the tables are turned, can Jane take the leap and let Nate help her? A bittersweet comedy about risk, kindness, and how difficult it can be to let people in.
'After the Wedding' by Neil LaBute
Directed by Maria Milleaf
A man and a woman meet to discuss her infidelities. However, the more the woman confesses, the more the man professes his love for her. 'After the Wedding' is a comedic and bittersweet look at love, lust, and forgiveness.
'This is How it Ends' by A. Rey Pamatmat
Directed by Ed Sylvanus Iskandar
How would you spend your last day on Earth? Jake is about to find out, because his all-too-perfect roommate Annie has just broken some seriously disturbing news. She's the Antichrist, her coworkers are the Four Horseman, and the end is most definitely nigh. A hilarious and touching new play about life, love, and making the most of the time we're given.
See it if You enjoy variety. I loved the characters in Helpers and the unfolding truth in After the Wedding. I thought How It Ends was awful.
Don't see it if You aren't willing to sit through one bad play in order to see two good ones.
See it if you want to enjoy a sharply written and naturally, confidently, effectively acted one-act play by Neil Labute (After the Wedding).
Don't see it if you aren't prepared to sit through a throw-away one-act by Cusi Cram (The Helpers) and an execrable, amateur play by A Rey Pamatmat.
See it if you don't mind sitting through 2 uncompelling two-handers to get to the last piece, which is well-acted, fascinating and thoughtful.
Don't see it if you're expecting the 3 plays to have any thematic links, or if you're expecting the 3 plays to have any real dramatic heft.
See it if you have a prepaid subscription or you have a special interest in one or more of the playwrights.
Don't see it if you are looking for something special and/or memorable.
See it if you are a fan of Neil La Bute. His play is outstanding, blessed with good directing and acting. The last play is sophomoric. The first, meh.
Don't see it if you will be satisfied by only one of the three plays.
See it if You enjoy plays laced with lots of profanity. You especially enjoy watching mediocre plays being performed by talented actors.
Don't see it if Profanity used excessively is not your thing. You are not in the mood to be indulgent about less than proficient contemporary playwriting.
See it if are a LaBute fan or if you are a fan of short plays that don't go very deep
Don't see it if like theater with more meat on its bones
See it if Like short plays by known and upcoming playwrights. Grounded was really good and the O'Hara pkay broke the fourth wall like usual.
Don't see it if Want standard dramas. These are a bit quirky.
See it if Like cuss words, controversial topics, 1-acts, minimal staging, humor, good dialogue, homosexuality. I enjoyed Series A, more than B overall
Don't see it if Hate all the above and are too religious where anything anti-Christ offends you...
See it if you are interested in new work by three playwrights or are a fan of the three playwrights featured here.
Don't see it if you are interested in seeing these playwrights at their best-much of the work seems underdeveloped and hurried...each has done better work.
See it if If you want an evening that crosses genres. You are willing to take a chance on 3 plays when you may only like 1.
Don't see it if You aren't into plays about death. Irreverent religious plays are offensive to you, or you don't like short plays
See it if You love short plays about people and their flaws. Great acting. Wonderful Staging.
Don't see it if You want character development and a long story. They are short for a reason. If you don't like slice of life.
See it if you enjoy short plays with interesting dialogue and unique approaches to life. You are intrigued by what can be communicated in a short tim
Don't see it if you only like big shows with lots of gimmicks and fancy scenery. These are basic and pithy, virtually no scenery and little action.
See it if You enjoy one act plays.The three plays,one by Neil LaBute,are very diverse in themes. The last play was somewhat wacky and disjointed.
Don't see it if You prefer more traditional fare.The first 2 plays each had 2 characters and clever storylines.The last play, with 6 characters,was nutty!