But as Sharon begins to uncover Robyns secrets, they encourage her own deep-seated desire to transform her life completely. Instead of the poker party that begins the original version, Ms. Madison has invited the girls over for an evening of Trivial Pursuit. 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. Despite its epic title, God of Carnage revolves around a schoolyard conflict between two boys. Neither impressed or entertained by Lettices freewheeling history lessons, Schon fires her. This play might sound like a Jane Austen novel, but its actually a sequel to A Raisin in the Sun. bisexual, angry, sad, strong, sensitive, scared, fierce, talented . A film passes the Bechdel Test if it has: two named female characters. Glorie is tense, unhappy and guilt-ridden, her only child having been killed in an auto accident when she was driving. Playwright: Yasmina Reza (translator: Christopher Hampton) Licensing: Dramatists Play Service 17. The Younger familys heroic struggle to retain dignity in a harsh and changing world is a searing and timeless document of hope and inspiration. (You might recognize the characters; theyre all proxies for well-known cultural icons.) Contemporary romance with a strong, independent female/ heroine, established in her life and in a strong and successful career or self-employed. Stage Kiss by Sarah Ruhl (US/UK)(Comedy / 3f, 4m)Art imitates Life. Playwright: Lulu RaczkaPublisher: Bloomsbury. His death sparks a conversational wake that includes everything from arguments over politics to when each sibling realized that they grew up. Enter Freddie Luna, a high school basketball superstar with a troubled past. If youre exhausted from the constant political discourse (were using that term loosely) thats everywhere, maybe give Heroes of the Fourth Turning a pass. LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE . 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. Its shortly after 9/11, and an eclectic assortment of guests has gathered for a Manhattan dinner party. Slave Play is a fearless and unexpected examination of race and sex. Monroe's iconic rendition of "Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend". Squirrel Girl Goes to College: A Squirrel Girl Play (Marvel Spotlight) by Karen Zacaras (US/UK)(Comedy / 3f, 1m, 14 any gender)Doreen arrives at Empire State University to make new friends and protect them from super villains by keeping her super hero identity a secret. 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. The Kilroys List: 97 Monologues and Scenes by Female and Trans Playwrights This first book isn't technically a play, but no list of plays by women would be complete without mention of The Kilroys List . Watch actress Kate Fleetwood perform the famous 'Come, you spirits' scene here: Beatrice. Two nuns, a priest, and the mother of a young student tell the story of potential abuse and the doubt that surrounds the accusation. 9. Blithe Spirit by Nol Coward (US/UK)(Comedy / 5f, 2m)Fussy, cantankerous novelist Charles Condomine is re-married but haunted (literally) by the ghost of his late first wife, the clever and insistent Elvira who is called up by a visiting happy medium, one Madame Arcati. Without being heavy handed or boring, Schreck tackles everything from abuse to the people who are ignored by the Constitution (hint: its most of us). SBF 1, an English literature professor, and SBF 2, a corporate lawyer, keep each other balanced as they face their fears of rejection, hopes for romance, and reminisce about black girlhood wounds. Civil war is raging in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mama Nadi is trying to keep her head above water. Will her nana get arrested or worse evicted? The tensions and prejudice they face form this seminal American drama. Not one to go without a fight, Lettice engages the stoic, conventional Lotte in a battle to the death of all that is sacred to the Empire and the crown. As the little teenage sister of the king, her identity doesn't end there. Then there's Wilde's Lady Bracknell, Shaw's Mrs Warren and many characters by Michel Tremblay. Their creativity, depth, and characters have set a new standard for playwrights for generations to come. Orgasms. Lynn Collins plays Portia in The Merchant of Venice Lady Macbeth in Macbeth Lady Macbeth is thought of as a very strong woman. Running barefoot in the park would be a start. The main character, Major Kusanagi, is a cyborg woman who uses her post-human body to confront a terrorist threat. These plays serve as the very best examples of what drama should be. You might recognize Quiara Alegra Hudes name she wrote the book for the musical In the Heights. 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. is an unexpected offering from Edward Albee. If you have the chance, catch a live production; its gripping, even in the hands of non-professionals. When the parents meet, purportedly to resolve the issue, the discussion devolves into madness. Each of our picks was written after 2000; youll find the date after each title, as well as a link to the license. Stage Kiss captures Sarah Ruhls singular voice. With a cast of just three, Blackbird is intimate and intense. In fact, it won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2002. 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. The play has ghosts, prosthetic hands, and gold toilet seats what more could you want? A Very Rich Woman by Ruth Gordon (US)(Comedy / 8f, 7m)Ruth Gordon played the part of a Boston widow with a rather common background, who together with her husband built an enviable fortune the hard way. The script is nuanced and heart-rending, offering an in-depth look at privilege of all kinds. 4000 MILES looks at how two outsiders find their way in today's world. When youre in the right headspace, its a rich and rewarding journey. However, what Bridget saw as a unique opportunity to stay with her favorite Nana in New York for the summer quickly turns into an experience shell never forget. Addiction, trauma, and family relationships intertwine as in life painting a crushing picture of people who are simply trying to hang on. A bittersweet play about dreams deferred, loves lost, and learning to trust a womans voice in a mans world. Mulan was one of my personal heroes as a child she's a fearless warrior and genuine delight. Christopher, who is somewhere on the autism spectrum (the story doesnt give a clear diagnosis), is determined to solve the mystery. Jeremy O. Harris shot to fame with Slave Play; with Daddy, he seems determined to shock audiences. This article contains a list of the best modern plays written after the year 2000. And Betty keeps using a small hand mirror to stare into parts of herself shes never examined. Cost of Living explores the experiences of two physically disabled people, but dont expect an uplifting story of triumph the plot is firmly grounded in reality, with all of its uncomfortable and distressing truths. Barefoot in the Park by Neil Simon (US)(Comedy / 2f, 4m)Paul and Corie Bratter are newlyweds in every sense of the word. In one corner is Daphna Feygenbam, a Real Jew who is volatile, self-assured, and unbending. People Who Voted On This List (88) Mary 816 books Our leading lady is Jennifer, a young, agoraphobic tech whiz whos afraid to leave her room. Lucy is characterized as a "fussbudget", crabby, [1] [2] bossy and opinionated girl who bullies most other characters in . Part autobiography, part history lesson, part social commentary, What the Constitution Means to Me is one of the most unusual contemporary plays on our list. That is, until he finds his muse Viola. Women were considered the weaker gender and always in need of being protected. Whether youre looking for famous modern plays or contemporary comedic plays, weve got you covered. She's been reading a lot of Sam Shepard, Michael Weller (her favorite), and an assortment of titles offered up by her professors ("My Night With Reg" has been humorously-NSFW-cover down on the coffee table for a week or so). Beneatha dreams of medical school. Jackie Gleason certainly went above and beyond to measure up to that sobriquet. And now Kimiko (Karen Fukuhara) in The . My sister just played the lead in 'Other Desert Cities'. Ladies Choice! February 6, 2016 jowritesstuff. Marion (aunt) Felix Van Pelt (paternal grandfather) Lucille " Lucy " Van Pelt is a fictional character in the syndicated comic strip Peanuts, written and drawn by Charles Schulz. The Odd Couple, Female Version by Neil Simon (US/UK)(Comedy / 6f, 2m)Unger and Madison are at it again! Thats reflected in contemporary plays, which offer heartbreaking insights and breathtaking hilarity in equal measure. After he casually comes out as gay at a press conference, Lemming believes everything will be fine. Many of the above suggestions are great, but very very tricky because they have been done so much, and often with really iconic performances that the judges will know. A dark comedy about what it takes to re-route your life and what happens when the wheels come off. Navigating new relationships and inevitable temptations, Kens supposedly missing faith is tested. Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) Bree Daniels (Jane Fonda), Klute (1971) The girl with the most distinctive hairdo in the history of prostitution. This riveting play is an epic tale told through an unexpected and remarkable perspective. Since he has produced only one off-Broadway project, something called 'Craps! Here's 15 Best Short Plays with Strong Female Lead for auditions, workshops, actor reels, performances, castings and theatre productions. Well, heres a plot point you wont be expecting a man falls in love with a goat. Day after day they struggle with infertility, and Hannah herself is on the verge of being laid off. (Isnt theater grand?) And of course, I love all sorts of female characters who exhibit great resilience and courage. The Zimbabwean-American writes stories about strong women and has won an Obie, Outer Critics Circle Award, Sam Norkin Award and a Tony nomination for the work she's done. Life imitates Art. Has the Communist threat come to pass? Ariane Lange 4.. 3. What Francis doesnt realize is that the real Roscoe is dead hes actually working for Roscoes sister, Rachel, whos pretending to be her brother. Theater has always been a sign of the times and we are living through an unprecedented period of social awakening and unrest. She has already rejected several offers because the antique piano is covered with incredible carvings detailing the familys rise from slavery. The title might be pithy, but A Girl in School Uniform (Walks Into A Bar) is anything but a comedy. A Bright Room Called Day 2. By Janet Allard (US)(Comedy / 6f)In this breezy "NASComedy" the fast lane is stalled to a screeching halt by the arrival of a woman driver on the NASCAR scene, and egos get bruised as Holly "Legs" Nelson starts stealing the show, driving so fast some think she's cheating. B. Thompson (US/UK)(Dramatic Comedy / 2f)A two-woman show with rapid-fire comic vignettes that explore the lives of thirty-something African American middle-class women in urban America as they search for love, clothes, and dignity in a world that fails to recognize them amongst a parade of stereotypical images. She runs a brothel that takes in women who have been ruined by soldiers. for kids, celebrity aura and morality plays. 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. Playwright: Caryl ChurchillLicensing: Concord Theatricals. Letts infuses the script with subtle, brilliant insights a few scenes in, your laughter will be tinged with heartbreak. Erin La Rosa 3. However, feel free to browse tips and download any public domain (free) monologues on our site. Hanna (2011) This list is dedicated to contemporary plays that should grace every actor's shelf or at least be read and familiarized. Grace & Glorie by Tom Ziegler (US)(Comedy / 2f)Estelle Parsons and Lucie Arnaz starred on Broadway in this charmer set in the Blue Ridge Mountains. When a racist and bigoted pitcher joins the team, everything descends into chaos. Milk Like Sugar by Kirsten Greenidge (US/UK)(Drama / 5f, 2m)It is Annie Desmonds sixteenth birthday and her friends have decided to help her celebrate in style, complete with a brand new tattoo. . 23. Is the subject matter one that deserves to be enshrined in play? re: Plays with mainly female characters. 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. She's a model for all female journalists. Playwright: Branden Jacobs-JenkinsLicensing: Dramatists Play Service, 47 Best Modern Musicals (Written After 2000). This contemporary play is equal parts funny and tragic, revealing the wild passions and anger that flow beneath a seemingly civilized middle-class life. Being a very spirited widow, she now decides to have a fine old time with her money, giving away "diamonds, paintings, and taxi-cabs with fierce abandon, and buying an oversize yacht as if it were a boat for the bathtub." For even more plays that go beyond the ingenue visit our website. After the British team loses, a group of fans in a pub let go of their filters. The Agitators by Mat Smart (US/UK)(Drama / 1f, 1m) Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass are young abolitionists when they met in Rochester in the 1840s, full of hopes, dreams, and a common purpose. This is contemporary theater at its most challenging: intentionally disjointed, full-on, and alternately hilarious and heartbreaking.Playwright: Alice BirchLicensing: Concord Theatricals. Playwright: David Henry HwangLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Playwright: David HarrowerLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Check out these 30 titles featuring strong women ranging in age, temperament and position. Sharp and more than a little cynical, this fast-paced contemporary comedic play stands out in any theatrical season. Shakespeare in Love by Lee Hall and Tom Stoppard (US/UK)(Dramatic Comedy / 6f, 18m)Young Will Shakespeare has writer's block the deadline for his new play is fast approaching but he's in desperate need of inspiration. And if their new routine is good enough, theyll claw their way to the top at Nationals in Tampa Bay. Despite the mixed reviews for Daddy, its an interesting and decidedly modern look at race and class conflicts in the world of art. Shanleys nuanced writing is sure to have you questioning yourself and your assumptions at every turn. Playwright: Suzan-Lori ParksLicensing: Dramatists Play Service, Its 7 minutes after midnight, and 15-year-old Christopher Boone has made a horrifying discovery his neighbors dog has been murdered with a garden fork. Its 1929, and youre a Cuban immigrant in a Florida cigar factory in Tampa. The ingenue has her time and place, but women's stories extend beyond tales of young innocents. Goldas Balcony by William Gibson (US)(Drama / 1f)This tight-knit story of war and peace opens in 1973, on the eve of the Yom Kippur War, and uses flashbacks to let Golda tell the story of her life: her journey from her birthplace in Russia to the United States where she settled in Milwaukee, became a school teacher and married. When two actors with a history are thrown together as romantic leads in a forgotten 1930s melodrama, they quickly lose touch with reality as the story onstage follows them offstage. What were women doing, feeling, thinking while the men were gathered with Jesus in the Upper Room? Last Of The Red Hot Lovers 3. Euripides's plays had women as the main character because he had a sympathetic way of portraying women. Playwright: John Patrick ShanleyLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Her memory is jogged by the fact that she and her four siblings are in their fathers hospital room during his final moments. Playwright: Jeremy O. HarrisLicensing: Not available. Themes include contemporary politics, slavery, historical marriages, senior comedy, surreal time-shifts, Shakespeare comedy, campers, birdwatchers, newlyweds, coming of age, participatory plays. 365 Days/365 Plays isnt a single modern play as you might guess from the name, its a collection of 365 plays. With this reality hanging over the gathering, each family member begins to spin their tale. Bootycandy explores what its like to grow up as a Black gay man. #17. 1. With comments by those who reviewed their productions, here are our updated picks for the Best Plays of the 21st Century.so far. Lost in Yonkers by Neil Simon (US/UK)(Dramatic Comedy / 3f, 4m)Bella is thirty-five years old, mentally challenged, and living at home with her mother, stern Grandma Kurnitz. Baby Taj by Tanya Shaffer (US)(Comedy/ 6f, 5m)The legendary Taj Mahal is the next assignment for Rachel, an American travel writer whose failed romances have led her to ask: Why not have the baby she craves on her own? Claire Danes - Danes plays bipolar CIA agent Carrie . In a truly remarkable feat, Suzan-Lori Parks wrote one play every day for a full year. Blink is an intimate, quirky little romantic comedy dont worry, its not too sweet. Playwright: Jeremy O. HarrisLicensing: Concord Theatricals. Though critics described the plot as lopsided and meandering (and it is both), this new play won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. She challenges the. Somewhere there is Willie, and Winnie wishes he would come out where she could see him. Its funny, heartbreaking, and more than a little unusual; playwright Phil Porter invented a unique structure that reflects the simplicity and naivete of the characters. But to score a rare meeting with their comic book idol, teenage outcasts Dayna and Honey will take on obsessive magic players, Jedis and elfs, cosplayers and convention guards - through all nine flights of Ohio's Dante's Fire-Con. Text Kim Cole #Matter 0 Ugly Lies the Bone - Lindsey Ferrentino (3w 2m) - Main character is a young woman who is a returning Afghanistan veteran. by Crystal Skillman (US/UK)(Comedy / 4f, 2m)With pissed-off Pikachus, steam punk armies, stood-up Sailor Moons and roller-blading monsters on the prowl, it's easy to get lost in the Inferno-esque anime convention where the fans, the otakus, and the geeks prowl. (Hence, the title.) If part of a series, please only include the first novel unless subsequent novels have different leading characters. Playwright: Nilo CruzLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Inspired by the real childhood of playwright Robert OHara, the script is simultaneously funny and poignant. Heroes of the Fourth Turning (2019) 21 Best Contemporary Dramatic Monologues For Women From Published Plays 1. King Liz by Fernanda Coppel (US/UK)(Drama / 3fm, 3m)Sports agent Liz Rico has money and an elite client roster but a woman in a mans industry has to fight to stay on top. The script, which is designed to feel improvised, has a bit of a Leslie Knope vibe. Its decidedly uncomfortable; when it played on Broadway, many audience members simply left the theater. The genre emerged as a musical expression of the second-wave feminist movement [228] as well as the labour , civil rights , and peace movements . Unusual Acts Of Devotion 8. All these plays contain powerful monologues with leading female characters. Join 8,027 readers in helping fund MetaFilter. Collapse by Allison Moore (US/UK)(Comedy / 2f, 2m)Hannah, tries desperately to hold the faade of her perfect life together, even as her husband, David, mysteriously calls in sick to work. Since the men have failed the city, Mellie and the other women must become its saviors. If you have the mental space however, this insightful play is well worth a read. Perfect for auditions or class. 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 forty-five-year friendship they agitated the nation, they agitated each other, and, in doing so, they helped shape the Constitution and the course of American history. 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. However, it is choices, both mundane and gripping, and where those choices have taken Mary Page Marlowe that make her life so intimate and surprisingly complicated. She is a hardworking tech genius who works terrifically for her nation and the benefits of the citizens. Energetic and fast-paced, this modern play follows CEO Jeffrey Skilling through the companys wild rise and fall. Photo: 2018 Playwrights Horizons production of Dance Nation (Joan Marcus), More Plays & Musicals for Strong Leading Women. The script is based on a childrens novel, and it shows; its simple, emotional, and undeniably moving. The script isnt without its flaws, but its funny, touching, and worth a read. As the title character returns from a second tour in Iraq at age 19, he discovers how his trauma parallels that of his father and grandfather. What is the competition? 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. Playwright: Edward AlbeeLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Rest by Samuel D. Hunter (US/UK)(Drama / 3f, 4m)A retirement home in northern Idaho is being shut down, and only three residents and a bare-bones staff remain. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. God Gave Us Aunts 7. Header image: Broadway production of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson (Julieta Cervantes). Playwright: Suzan-Lori ParksLicensing: Concord Theatricals. 4000 Miles by Amy Herzog (US/UK)(Dramatic Comedy / 3f, 1m)After suffering a major loss while he was on a cross-country bike trip, 21 year-old Leo seeks solace from his feisty 91 year-old grandmother Vera in her West Village apartment. The premise of The Hot Wing King is simple; Cordell is out to win an annual hot wing competition in Memphis. The Flick is a monster of a play; it runs for 3 hours. The main plot is fine, but the real delight is in the sweet subplot that features Lemmings accountant falling in love with the game.Take Me Out is fun and snappy; it won the Tony Award for Best Play in 2003, Playwright: Richard GreenbergLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. These details form an intriguing backdrop for a dramatic look at idealism, power and the strength it takes to shape the destiny of a nation. 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!). He loved wine, women, and song, with a . Definitely a lot to chew on in that role. Unfortunately, they hate each other. 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. His younger sibling has come out as transgender, and the two are on a mission to take down the patriarchy. With contemporary characters, ingenious plot twists, and breathtaking visual effects, the play is a fresh look at a timeless love story. Single Black Female 9. Its a fascinating and engaging tale that offers a slightly lighter, yet still tragic, perspective. As you work long hours at this tedious job, a man called a lector reads aloud to you from the front of the room. Shakespeare's strong-willed women From the ruthlessness and ambition of Lady Macbeth and Margaret of Anjou to the confidence and wit of Rosalind, Viola and Portia it is often said that. Playwright: Taylor MacLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. When two actors with a history are thrown together as romantic leads in a forgotten 1930s melodrama, they quickly lose touch with reality as the story onstage follows them offstage. Top image courtesy A.D. Players at the George under CC BY-ND 2.0. Playwright: Lynn NottageLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Below is a tip of the wonderful iceberg of plays by women. 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