She has already rejected several offers because the antique piano is covered with incredible carvings detailing the familys rise from slavery. Lettice and Lovage by Peter Shaffer (US/UK)(Comedy / 3f, 3m)Lettice Duffet, an expert on Elizabethan cuisine and medieval weaponry, is an indefatigable but daffy enthusiast of history and the theatre. Enter Freddie Luna, a high school basketball superstar with a troubled past. Playwright: Roy WilliamsLicensing: Concord Theatricals (UK). On the surface, Fairview seems like a relatively standard family drama. Ken (a man from Nebraska, of course) deals with a spiritual crisis in Tracy Letts play. Its 1981, and the Carney family is celebrating the harvest at their farm in Northern Ireland. She deftly integrates the social and political context of the time, offering insights into the attitudes and behaviors of her characters. Playwright: Lynn NottageLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Playwright: Robert OHaraLicensing: Concord Theatricals. In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play by Sarah Ruhl (US/UK)(Dramatic Comedy / 4f, 3m)In a seemingly perfect, well-to-do Victorian home, proper gentleman and scientist Dr. Givings has innocently invented an extraordinary new device for treating "hysteria" in women (and occasionally men): the vibrator. When Annie tries to make good on her promise to her friends, she is forced to take a good look at the world that surrounds her. 23 Musical Theater Audition Songs for Tenors, 59 Best Musicals for High School: The Ultimate List, 21 Contemporary Legit Soprano Musical Theatre Songs. The Skin of Our Teeth by Thornton Wilder (US/UK)(Comedy / 4f, 4m)Meet George and Maggie Antrobus of Excelsior, New Jersey, a suburban commuter-town couple (married for 5,000 years); the two Antrobus children, Gladys (perfect in every way, of course) and Henry (who likes to throw rocks and was formerly known as Cain); and their garrulous maid, Sabina (the eternal seductress), who takes it upon herself to break out of character and interrupt the course of the drama at every opportunity (I dont understand a word of this play!). _____ this 19th-century and Edwardian playwright whose plays foreshadowed modern plays _____ his strong-willed characters dominated his tragedies _____ showed new concerns about . Last Dance by Marsha Norman (US)(Comedy / 2f, 2m) Claiming that she is tired of love, an aging but still beautiful poet from the American South who now lives on the coast of France has decided to give away her young lover. He is financially strapped and taking to the road as a salesman. Toni Collette and Merritt Wever play two steely investigators who devote countless days and nights to tracking down a serial rapist. Shanleys nuanced writing is sure to have you questioning yourself and your assumptions at every turn. (Hence, the title.) Jackie Gleason certainly went above and beyond to measure up to that sobriquet. Our leading lady is Jennifer, a young, agoraphobic tech whiz whos afraid to leave her room. She is also the esteemed winner of a BAFTA for Random, (2010) adapted for Channel Four from its run at the Royal Court. Collective Rage: A Play in Five Betties by Jen Silverman (US/UK)(Dark Comedy / 5f)Betty is rich; Betty is lonely; Bettys busy working on her truck; Betty wants to talk about love, but Betty needs to hit something. (In some cases, "allegedly" strong female characters -- see criticisms below.) A play about selfishness and selflessness and love deferred and the fight. Playwright: Will ArberyLicensing: Concord Theatricals. The play has ghosts, prosthetic hands, and gold toilet seats what more could you want? The play tackles a host of themes ranging from the intellectual to the personal (e.g., the difficulties young women face in the competitive world of academia and the sacrifices sometimes required for success). Plus, the indomitable Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird, Frances Ha) has written and directed a new take on this classic tale coming to the silver screen this holiday season. These plays serve as the very best examples of what drama should be. 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. 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. 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. Happy Days by Samuel Beckett (US/UK)(Drama / 1f, 1m)Winnie is embedded waist-deep in a low mound under the blazing sunlight and is awoken by the sound of a bell. In the years since, its become one of the most popular plays for high school and community theater groups. LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE . Robin Hood is (and has always been) Maid Marian in disguise, and leads a motley group of Merry Men (few of whom are actually men) against the greedy Prince John. All Read more August 29, 2021 August 29, 2021 MB Team 1 Minute Monologues Drama, 12 Strong Female Characters, 15 Powerful Female Dramatic Monologues, 17 Badass Female Characters, 17 Badass Female Characters from Plays, 17 Badass Female Monologues from 1 Act Plays, 17 Dramatic Monologues for Women, 17 Female Characters You Need To Read About, actress . This isnt a play for the TikTok generation; it forces you to stretch out your attention span for the occasional low-key but insightful payoff. Hurricane Diane by Madeleine George (US/UK)(Comedy / 5f)Meet Diane, a permaculture gardener dripping with butch charm. In this play spanning 30 years and six presidential administrations, Hester Ferris throws Georgetown dinner parties that can change the course of Washingtons politics. There is also an interesting trend of plays depicting older career women taking stock of things . Orgasms. Bring these stories to your community start exploring below! The reason? Geek! infusing her plays with strong mythic, chimerical elements, and using folkloric Scottish Women Playwrights Against Zero Visibility And, if Sylvia and Leatrice do agree to appear together, will Paul Newman sign on, too? However, feel free to browse tips and download any public domain (free) monologues on our site. Push through the discomfort, and its not hard to see why this play was a runner-up for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2009. (Maybe a little too sentimental, but that can be forgiven considering the source material.) When a record-breaking blizzard blows into town and an elderly resident disappears into the storm, everyone is brought to face their own mortality. The plot centers on a first date and the bizarre relationship that follows. Women during 16th century had no individual freedom. Robyn, also in her mid-fifties, needs a place to hide and a chance to start over. Text Kim Cole #Matter 0 Its not uplifting the characters anger and bitterness jump off the page but its certainly illuminating. Given the generally understated nature of the writing and the mundane movie-theater setting it feels like a lot. Photo: 2018 Playwrights Horizons . Not Dick Morris's type. Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood by Adam Szymkowicz (US/UK)(Comedy / 4f, 4m, 6 any gender)A gender-bending, patriarchy-smashing, hilarious new take on a classic tale. by James Kirkwood (US)(Comedy / 3f, 3m)Eager beaver producer Martin Klemmer, a wheeler-dealer if ever there was one, has uncovered a terrific commercial script - 'Star Wars: The Play'. He was known as a modern playwright because he wrote with realism, and had a doubtful way of portraying the gods in his plays. re: Plays with mainly female characters. 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. In the end Annies choices propel her onto an irreversible path in this story that combines wit, poetry, and hope. Metamorphoses by Mary Zimmerman Two nuns, a priest, and the mother of a young student tell the story of potential abuse and the doubt that surrounds the accusation. 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. At forty-six and with new flame Mickey Deans at her side, she seems determined to carry it off and recapture her magic. Take the Netflix series Unbelievable, which is based on a distressing true story. Stage Kiss captures Sarah Ruhls singular voice. The script offers an intimate look at the actors and the challenges of the day in each production. Unusual Acts Of Devotion 8. The Children's Hour has many female roles, and only two for men. As you work long hours at this tedious job, a man called a lector reads aloud to you from the front of the room. Ugly Lies the Bone - Lindsey Ferrentino (3w 2m) - Main character is a young woman who is a returning Afghanistan veteran. Right now, she's at the "read everything" stage, and has asked for good contemporary plays to read with strong females roles. Oedipus isnt the central figure; instead, the story focuses on Mellie, a woman with a disability that has alienated the gods and the town of Thebes. The treatment? The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers The Heart is a Lonely Hunter tells the story of 5 young misfits who form a bond founded on their shared isolation. When youre in the right headspace, its a rich and rewarding journey. In Elliot, a Soldiers Fugue, Hudes takes another look at the tradition of wartime service in different generations of a Puerto Rican family. Inside the confining walls of Mount Airy Nursing Home, the two plot an escape to Paris aboard the QE2. Lucy is characterized as a "fussbudget", crabby, [1] [2] bossy and opinionated girl who bullies most other characters in . You might recognize Quiara Alegra Hudes name she wrote the book for the musical In the Heights. Ariane Lange 4.. Mother of the Maid by Jane Anderson (US/UK)(Drama / 4f, 3m) The story of Joan of Arc's mother, a sensible, hard-working, God-fearing peasant woman whose faith is upended as she deals with the baffling journey of her odd and extraordinary daughter. 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. Its a big, lively masterpiece of storytelling thats just as enjoyable on the page as it is on stage. Running barefoot in the park would be a start. A hilarious evisceration of the blind eye we all turn to climate change and the bacchanalian catharsis that awaits us, even in our own backyards. Ma Raineys Black Bottom by August Wilson (US/UK)(Drama / 2f, 8m)It's 1927 in a rundown studio in Chicago where Ma Rainey is recording new sides of old favorites. Its not meant to be an outrageous comedy; rather, Albee explores human proclivities with distressing honesty. The TV industry seems obsessed with the silent-but-deadly female archetype. During the 2019 New York run, Vox called it the most controversial show on Broadway. Slave Play got 12 Tony nominations an impressive feat for any playwright, but a particularly exceptional one considering that Harris wrote the play during his first year at Yale. If Martin can sign them he can get the money. Life imitates Art. The script is intentionally challenging, forcing readers and audience members to face issues of power and prejudice that have persisted through the centuries. For those of you that don't know, Juliet is the leading lady of William Shakespeare's famous tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. (And it doesnt stop there.) Best Modern Plays. Header image: Broadway production of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson (Julieta Cervantes). is an unexpected offering from Edward Albee. Found inside - Page 213De Filippo's plays are a . Playwright: John CarianiLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. A summer tea party on the brink of doom is how one production of Escaped Alone described the play. The play is set at a Catskills resort in 1960, where the widowed Eva Adler is vacationing with her 20-year-old daughter, Lili. The tool is a great reminder that females, even in a love story, can discuss other matters that don't include a man or romance. The boys are left to contend with Grandma, with Bella and her secret romance, and with Louie, her brother, a small-time hoodlum in a strange new world called Yonkers. The failed marriages, the suicide attempts, and the addictions are all behind her. Performer Stuff Monologues, Audition Cuts, and Sheet Music 10 of the Best Monologues from Characters Who Are People of Color : PerformerStuff More Good Stuff It appears that you are outside of North America. Somewhere there is Willie, and Winnie wishes he would come out where she could see him. You might even learn a thing or two; Prebble manages to make complicated concepts feel more accessible. The Piano Lesson by August Wilson (US/UK)(Drama / 3f, 5m)It is 1936, and Boy Willie arrives in Pittsburgh from the South in a battered truck loaded with watermelons to sell. Men's Journal is a rugged and refined lifestyle publication covering the coolest new gear, luxury and adventure travel, food and drink, health and fitness, and more. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. "The American Plan" is a comedy by Richard Greenberg that premiered Off-Broadway in 1991 and had a brief Broadway run in 2009, starring Mercedes Ruehl and Lily Rabe. My Fair Lady 11. Photo: 2018 Playwrights Horizons production of Dance Nation (Joan Marcus), More Plays & Musicals for Strong Leading Women. Brothers Lincoln and Booth yes, the names are intentional are just trying to stay afloat after a challenging upbringing. How to Transcend a Happy Marriage by Sarah Ruhl (US/UK)(Comedy / 4f, 4m)At a dinner party in New Jersey, two couples discuss polyamory as brought up by the introduction of a new temp, Pip, in Janes office. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Home Theater Musicals and Plays 51 Contemporary Plays Written After 2000. This Pulitzer and Tony finalist isnt shocking; rather, its funny and surprisingly sensitive. Modern playwrights are dogged in their exploration of bleak, unpleasant material, but in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Christopher Durang offers us a respite. Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) 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. Four powerful short plays for powerful people! In the UK/Europe, click here. 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