There is also an interesting trend of plays depicting older career women taking stock of things . 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. As el lector reads Anna Karenina, the workers boring world is torn asunder, and their passions and tribulations come to a head. Perhaps the good-natured sweetness and innocent enthusiasm that radiates from each of the 11 vignette-style love stories. 1. The characters are flawed and funnyand youll be glad you dont have to hang out with them in real life. The premise of The Hot Wing King is simple; Cordell is out to win an annual hot wing competition in Memphis. In a symbiotic battle of wills, they delve into the dark woods of the past, unearthing a tragedy that shatters their notions of language, loneliness, and essential self. What does your wife do? Women during 16th century had no individual freedom. In one corner is Daphna Feygenbam, a Real Jew who is volatile, self-assured, and unbending. (You might recognize the characters; theyre all proxies for well-known cultural icons.) Dialogue and diction. Check out these 30 titles featuring strong women ranging in age, temperament and position. The Roommate by Jen Silverman (US/UK)(Dark Comedy / 2f)Sharon, in her mid-fifties, is recently divorced and needs a roommate to share her Iowa home. How "contemporary" are we talking here? With contemporary characters, ingenious plot twists, and breathtaking visual effects, the play is a fresh look at a timeless love story. What were women doing, feeling, thinking while the men were gathered with Jesus in the Upper Room? 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. Manage Settings . On the surface, Fairview seems like a relatively standard family drama. 15 Best Short Plays with Strong Female Lead DAMAGED GOODS Best Contemporary Monologues for Women 18-35 Lawrence Harbison has selected 100 terrific monologues for women from contemporary plays, all by characters between the ages of 18 and 35. who talk to each other. Playwright: John Patrick ShanleyLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Civil war is raging in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mama Nadi is trying to keep her head above water. Playwright: Richard BeanLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. 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. Has the Communist threat come to pass? Playwright: Bruce NorrisLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. 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. When Hannahs sister appears on their doorstep, she brings with her a renegade attitude and an illicit package that send David and Hannah on a 12-hour odyssey into the heart of their deepest fears. 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. Bunny 10. Where better to begin than with four housewives in a suburban New Jersey cul-de-sac? Two nuns, a priest, and the mother of a young student tell the story of potential abuse and the doubt that surrounds the accusation. 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. It seems her sweet grandma is running an illegal boutique from her apartment, selling handmade naughty knickers to every senior citizen in the five-borough area! Strong female characters are usually considered a desirable thing in geek media such as science fiction, comic books, etc. 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche by Evan Linder and Andrew Hobgood (US/UK)(Comedy / 5f)Its 1956 and The Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein are having their annual quiche breakfast. The Cemetery Club by Ivan Menchell (US/UK)(Dramatic Comedy / 4f, 1m)Three Jewish widows meet once a month for tea before going to visit their husbands graves. Ugly Lies the Bone - Lindsey Ferrentino (3w 2m) - Main character is a young woman who is a returning Afghanistan veteran. Playwright David Henry Hwang calls Yellow Face an unreliable memoir. The story blends reality and fiction, following a character named DHH as he writes a play and protests the casting of Jonathan Pryce as the Engineer in Miss Saigon something that actually happened in 1991. But when her beloved son suddenly turns up with an ambitious Reaganite girlfriend and a shocking new conservative world view, Hester must choose between preserving her family and defending the causes she's spent her whole life fighting for. Jackie Gleason certainly went above and beyond to measure up to that sobriquet. All have 2-woman casts, with age flexible roles, and each play, in very different ways, looks at the tender, funny, sometimes harrowing search for meaning. By Jex Butterworth. Nanas Naughty Knickers by Katherine DiSavino (US/UK)(Comedy / 5f, 3m, 1m or f)Bridget and her grandmother are about to become roommates. If youre looking for witty contemporary plays to read, its hard to do better than Becky Shaw. He loved wine, women, and song, with a . Stage Kiss by Sarah Ruhl (US/UK)(Comedy / 3f, 4m)Art imitates Life. Hmm. 20 Funny Contemporary Comedic Monologues For Women From Plays 1. 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. 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. 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. Unfortunately, because of copyright restrictions, we cannot sell to persons in your country. Sabriel, Sabriel fantasyblog.ciaraballintyne.com Harper Collins Sabriel because she was a badass who fought monsters and went on adventures. #17. A girl is missing in a dystopian city. The young lover is equally certain she really wants to marry him. The fight must go on. It follows a group of opinionated Catholic conservatives theyre intellectuals, so the discourse wont leave you feeling bereft of brain cells as they reunite in their Wyoming college town. is an unexpected offering from Edward Albee. This sweet show is funny and good-hearted; balm for any struggling soul. As a tour guide at Fustian House, one of the least stately of Londons stately homes, she theatrically embellishes its historical past, ultimately coming up on the radar of Lotte Schon, an inspector from the Preservation Trust. In a play, character's action description and thought are revealed by _____ or _____. 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. 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. Playwright: Young Jean leeLicensing: Dramatists Play Service, The all-male Take Me Out tells the story of baseball player Darren Lemming. 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. Running barefoot in the park would be a start. All Read more 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. The reason? Related: A Young Woman Endures the Civil War in This Historical Fiction Novel Amazon Apple Books Barnes & Noble Since the men have failed the city, Mellie and the other women must become its saviors. Kincaid. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. However, feel free to browse tips and download any public domain (free) monologues on our site. 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. Ariane Lange 4.. This remarkable and true-to-life scene is the premise for the Pulitzer-Prize-winning Anna in the Tropics. But how can this be? Theater has always been a sign of the times and we are living through an unprecedented period of social awakening and unrest. She challenges the. At forty-six and with new flame Mickey Deans at her side, she seems determined to carry it off and recapture her magic. 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. End of the Rainbow by Peter Quilter (US)(Drama / 1f, 3m)A musical drama of Judy Garland's "come-back" concerts Christmas 1968: with a six-week booking at London's Talk of the Town, it looks like Judy Garland is set firmly on the comeback trail. Only a lot of the plays being suggested in this thread are twenty or thirty years old! The women were mainly strong and are . Licensing, publishing, recording & producing company comprising R&H Theatricals, Samuel French, Tams-Witmark & The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection. The Odd Couple, Female Version by Neil Simon (US/UK)(Comedy / 6f, 2m)Unger and Madison are at it again! Stage Kiss captures Sarah Ruhls singular voice. A wisenheimer beyond her years, this super engaging pregnant teen made smart-aleckyness an art form. It is a charming tale about what happens when lovers share a stage kissor when actors share a real one. Vrooommm! Drop Dead! Contemporary romance with a strong, independent female/ heroine, established in her life and in a strong and successful career or self-employed. This madcap comedy is laugh-out-loud funny. Not Dick Morris's type. If youre exhausted from the constant political discourse (were using that term loosely) thats everywhere, maybe give Heroes of the Fourth Turning a pass. After a six-day honeymoon, they get a surprise visit from Cories loopy mother and decide to play matchmaker during a dinner with their neighbor-in-the-attic, Velasco, where everything that can go wrong, does. 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. Mrs. Danvers (Judith Anderson), Rebecca (1940) A warning to second wives and new girlfriends about the importance of tossing out all things and people belonging to your predecessor. Recommended for ages 8+ How will the widows respond as their idyllic town and lifestyle faces attacks? for kids, celebrity aura and morality plays. Its largely a one-woman show playwright Heidi Schreck performed in the original productions that examines issues that face women. 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. Will 'Star Wars: The Play' hit the big time? When the patriarch disappears, however, the crew gathers, and the truth bubbles hilariously to the surface. Addiction, trauma, and family relationships intertwine as in life painting a crushing picture of people who are simply trying to hang on. Often when we talk about strong female characters we're referring to emotional strength, but in this case, Nemesis is literally stronger than anyone else. Well, heres a plot point you wont be expecting a man falls in love with a goat. Playwright: Martyna MajokLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Its a chilling warning of the dangers of nationalism. 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. Youll meet Andre, a wealthy older art collector, and his much younger lover and protege, Franklin. Painting Churches 4. This is a contemporary play set in Victorian times, when male doctors lavished the diagnosis of hysteria on female patients. Ugly Lies the Bone by Lindsey Ferrentino (US/UK)(Drama / 3f, 2m)Newly discharged soldier Jess has finally returned to her Florida hometown. In this play spanning 30 years and six presidential administrations, Hester Ferris throws Georgetown dinner parties that can change the course of Washingtons politics. 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. The premise is exactly as devastating as it sounds; its almost unbearable in parts. Some of the most popular female literary characters manage to embody both wholesome and defiant, becoming reflections of the complex nature of women. Danger is everywhere, and mysterious blackouts are setting residents on edge. Is the subject matter one that deserves to be enshrined in play? Its bizarre but entertaining, though the revelation of the womens darkest secrets seems like an unnecessary addition to an already interesting show. The Younger familys heroic struggle to retain dignity in a harsh and changing world is a searing and timeless document of hope and inspiration. Its exactly as crushing as you might imagine, but its not without a note of hope. Check out More Plays & Musicals for Strong Leading Women or browse the Concord Theatricals website in the US or UK. Playwright: Annie BakerLicensing: Concord Theatricals. Written by multiple award-winning playwright Jane Shepard. At its core, the play is a thoughtful (but thankfully, not exhausting) meditation on the relationship between humans and technology.Playwright: Madeleine GeorgeLicensing: Concord Theatricals. Barefoot in the Park by Neil Simon (US)(Comedy / 2f, 4m)Paul and Corie Bratter are newlyweds in every sense of the word. Granted, these are all great works and are classics for a reason. There are just two characters, and they never interact or meet face-to-face; all communication happens over a baby monitor. Ask MetaFilter is a question and answer site that covers nearly any question on earth, where members help each other solve problems. Its an intense, uncomfortable look at the way women are treated, both in this sort-of futuristic place, but also in our modern world. Her rival, Hotshot, wants to sabotage her success, which results in a fast-paced story of NASCAR drivers and their kooky fans, all in pursuit of high-octane glory. 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). If youre in search of comedic contemporary plays, Clybourne Park fits the bill it racked up Tony, Olivier, and Pulitzer awards. Playwright: David Lindsay-AbaireLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Its decidedly uncomfortable; when it played on Broadway, many audience members simply left the theater. Their creativity, depth, and characters have set a new standard for playwrights for generations to come. She's a model for all female journalists. If you have the chance, catch a live production; its gripping, even in the hands of non-professionals. 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. She begins her day, talking incessantly, with her daily prayer, brushing her teeth, drinking her tonic, and putting on her hat. Directed by Nicholas Ray, the film basically flips the gender roles of older Westerns.the men become supporting characters to two female leads who will meet in a . 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. 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. Whereas Part I takes place in Fefu's. That is, until he finds his muse Viola. Life imitates Art. Metamorphoses by Mary Zimmerman Today, you can produce the full, year-long play cycle or a selection of performances. Uma Thurman is, for lack of a better word, totally badass. The management wants to replace her less-than-thriving gallery with a coffee shop. "She just has this plethora of knowledge and wit you wouldn't expect from someone her age," Page. For those of you that don't know, Juliet is the leading lady of William Shakespeare's famous tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. 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). I don't know if they're recent enough to be considered contemporary, but the plays of Jane Martin (a pseudonym for a never-revealed playwright who may or may not be Jon Jory) are great for interesting female charcters. They are guilt-stricken when this nearly breaks Idas heart. Check out More Plays & Musicals for Strong Leading Women or browse the Concord Theatricals website in the US or UK. Perfect for auditions or class. You might remember Quiara Alegra Hudes from her play Eliot, a Soldiers Fugue; in this follow-up, she again tackles the struggles of soldiers returning from war. The ingenue has her time and place, but women's stories extend beyond tales of young innocents. Playwright: Suzan-Lori ParksLicensing: Concord Theatricals. 14.) All these plays contain powerful monologues with leading female characters. Set at a boys school in England, the plot follows a group of students as they prepare for exams, learning about the ramifications of history and the realities of life along the way. 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 . Euripides was one of the most well-known playwrights of ancient Greece. A play about ambition, growing up, and how to find our souls in the heat of it all. It brings to light the dysfunction of an American family with all of its highs and lows. Letts infuses the script with subtle, brilliant insights a few scenes in, your laughter will be tinged with heartbreak. The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, Appreciating the Density of Shakespeare in Real Time. Rabbit Hole explores the crushing effects of grief on a family. 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. Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl (US/UK)(Dramatic Comedy / 2f, 5m)Dying too young on her wedding day, Eurydice must journey to the underworld, where she reunites with her father and struggles to remember her lost love. about something other than a man. 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. Rosalind in As You Like it and Viola in Twelfth Night both dress as men. Its mounted frequently at theaters around the country, cementing its place as one of the most famous modern plays. 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