The Midnight Train is part Baum's Wizard of Oz, part Dickens' Christmas Carol and all Matt Haig! This wonderfully touching train ride through the life of Wilbur Budd will give you some chuckles, make you want to slap Wilbur and tug at your heart strings. Like the Midnight Library, books play a key role in this story.
I'm so lucky to have colleagues and friends in the theatre! This piece is currently in development and in production. I believe the version I read is version 3. It needs a little tightening up, but it's a fascinating character study as well as a look at chosen family/community. I enjoyed it and found it surprisingly moving.
I was lucky enough to be given a copy of this new play which is currently in production and still being developed. I really hope that this piece gets picked up, because it's smartly written, funny as hell and moving. It is a two hander about two famous folks, one of whom was pretty much silenced in their industry, and this play gives them back their voice. Just really beautifully done!
I can always count on Schechter to deliver a dispassionate telling of facts. This book is a cleverly laid out by state, but does not include the crimes we would expect. As Schechter states in his introduction, those crimes have been covered. Some of the crimes are remarkable for the changes in the laws that they lead to, some are more famous for other reasons in their particular state. All of these curated crimes give a feel for each state and time period in which they occurred. Very clever!
I was lucky enough to be asked to be a first reader for this 3rd installment of a PI series. Fascinating main characters and a well structured story. Fans of the series will enjoy when it's finally published.
I was sucked into this story from the get go and it never let go. Melissa Albert has accomplished an amazing feat: she had to have the fictional series in this story written in her head in order to allude to it convincingly within the main story of the book; plus there was the additional story of the cunning woman; she pulled off a story within a story within a story, without missing a beat; without losing the pace; without losing the reader! The Children is heart breaking, wondrous, scary and at times downright creepy, but it is great fun to read!
A brilliant, but sadly necessary play about women; the more things change the more they stay the same! A memory play, told in a wonderfully 4th wall breaking way, told lovingly, told angrily, told tenderly, told boldy, told pleadingly and most important TOLD! A fantastic piece!
The last book in the Three Musketeers series, and it didn't disappoint. It picks up where the last book leaves off, and despite having read the last book over a year ago, I had no problem remembering who has who and who did what to whom. Dumas writes fascinating characters, realistic dialogue and has an incredibly snarky side, which is too delicious!! I've had such fun reading this series!
Woah! A family saga that is ultra-violent and yet full of love (albeit sometimes twisted) and soul. This is Shakespearean in it's scope and tragedy level. I can't even express how brilliant this book is. S.A. Cosby just keeps plumbing the depths of the human condition and comes up with gems!
If you are a fan of true crime, you can't go wrong reading Casey Sherman's work. His research is impeccable, his writing is concise, and he manages to write in such a way as to make it seem like a novel. His level of detail is unreal! I've read a lot about the Lana Turner/Cheryl Crane case and this is by far the best one out there!
A tough play to read (and I imagine an even tougher play to sit through)! Superbly written, deeply ugly and sadly very timely.
Oof! Oedipus is always a heavy piece to read (and see), but Icke's new take on it hits a little too close to our current political and social climate. This new interpretation is absolutely stellar!
An exhaustively researched and expertly crafted novelization of the life and times of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland and the Isles and Queen of France. Writing a historical tome so that it is interesting, engaging and flows is not easy, yet Ms. George has achieved just that! History really does come to life in this lovingly crafted novel.
Oh what fun this was! For fans of the Golden Girls you will delight in hearing those 4 familiar voices while you read, and chuckle at the endless Easter eggs throughout. It's also a really fun cozy mystery in and of itself!
There is a reason Stephen King is referred to as a Master Storyteller, and The Institute is a shining example of his extraordinary talent. Exquisite character development, extraordinary plots all pull you in from the first page. The Institute is a horrifying place, the children who populate it are special, in more ways than one. Stretching from the deep woods of Maine to the middle of no where South Caroline, the Institute is horrifying and exhilarating.
This is Baldacci's first novel and it's easy to see how/why he became in international bestseller! This was an indicated plotted story with lots of characters and lots of plot lines, yet it was incredibly easy to follow and kept me on the edge of my seat. The twists and turns in this thriller were exciting and extremely satisfying. A great read!
A raw, emotional and powerful piece of theatre. Based on a true case, Punch looks at redemption, forgiveness, and life in so many unexplored angles, it's quite breathtaking. This is not one of those feel good,, movie of the week, type stories; it's difficult, it's uncomfortable and it will haunt you.
I was a kid when this case occurred and I vaguely remember it, because it made national news. For a couple of Brist to write such an insightful and startlingly real play about it is quite amazing, the fact that it's performed by one man is astonishing! I so want to see a production of this!
This one is not for the faint of heart or the squeamish. This is a psychological tale of paranoia and conspiracy. It's twisted and yet is ultimately about loneliness, love and found family. And yes, the creep-crawlies play a significant role in this play.
Every Brilliant Thing is an innovative theatrical piece that is, theoretically, a one person show. However the structure of this piece make it an audience participation, full length play. It's a simple play about a young boy who starts a list of 1000 brilliant things. There is a reason he starts this list, there is a reason the list expands. I encourage everyone to read this, or see a production of it. I was blessed to have done.
I started out laughing while reading this. The absurdity of small town politics is on full display. I finished with my mouth agape in horror. Letts is a master at turning a story on it's ear and plummeting the reader, and thusly the audience, into a completely different show. Although a few years old, this piece is a horrifyingly accurate portrayal of what our present day political landscape feels like.
A delicious, refined (up to a point) comedy of errors, with Coward's signature wit. Three acts of quick and biting dialogue and British stiff upper lipness. How can one not enjoy it?!
Ooo-child! These people are a train wreck! I didn't like any of these characters, and yet I couldn't look away! There was something mesmerizing about these very damaged people navigation (if you can call it that) there lives. The snark is deliciously written, but my God, these people are so damaged that even when they are trying to be nice it comes off as selfish, manipulative and childish. And yet I couldn't not continue to read. What does that say about me?!
I'm glad I saw a production of this play before I read it. For me, it doesn't read well. The humor doesn't come through, it doesn't conjure any solid visuals, nor do the characters seem all that likable. However, having seen it previously, I know where the humor is and had a visual in my mind of the show as a point of reference.
Since I'm re-reading plays that are being revived on Broadway this season, against my better judgement I've re-read Waiting for Godot. Still think it ranks up there with Clybourne Park as being one the two worst plays I've ever read.
As this is being revived on Broadway this year, it was time for a re-read. Still a stunning piece of theatre, storytelling and life. Finding one's place in the world is never easy, finding it when you've been treated like nothing and have lost everything is even more difficult. Wilson is a master storyteller nd playwright. Everyone should read all ten of his century cycle plays.
After reading this gripping play about Oscar Levant, I can totally see why Sean Hayes won the Tony Award for his performance, as well as a special Olivier Award. Seeing him perform this piece must have been astonishing. This is a raw, funny, deeply moving play about a deeply talented but tormented man. just WOW!
Another fantastic mystery from the mind of Caroline Graham! It's so fun to read the books, having seen the Midsomer Murders episode that each on is based on: seeing what was cut; was was rearranged or fleshed out. A writer's group invites a semi-famous author to speak at their meeting. The host of the meeting is found dead he next morning and the guest author is nowhere to be found. That is the premise for this twisty and twisted tale of childhood trauma and long buried secrets.
A twisted tale situated at an isolated seaside town. A great many characters most of whom had reason to murder the actress and then murder her husband, but who done it? Enter Atticus Pünd, the middle mannered German detective. Pünd unravels the numerous stories and lies to get to the truth of the matter. Very reminiscent of Christie's work. A great read!
My third reading of this exceptional play. With a revival opening on Broadway this season, it was the perfect time to re-read this brilliant piece. SO many layers to peel back on the circumstances, on the characters and on the Proof (and it's myriad meanings). A fantastic play, and a great read!
Two of my favorite authors teamed up to write a "He Said/She Said" action mystery and it did not disappoint. Jackson and Mackenzie (Mac) are dynamic characters who become entangled in several twisted plots. With plenty of action, wit, and snippy quips this is a dynamic duo with whom you'll be glad to spend your time!
This soon to be published short crime story is set in 1968 and has some wonderfully developed characters. Short stories are a specific art form, and this one manages give an education, develop distinct characters and present a well plotted crime and solution. Can't wait to see this published in an anthology!
What a creative concept for this anthology!!! The layout of the book gives the reader a history lesson in Stephen Sondheim and shows the progression of his career. Each of the short crime stories in this anthology are brilliantly creative, well plotted and for Sondheim freaks the amount of "easter eggs" included in the stories are great fun! I just LOVED this anthology!!
A fascinating piece! A series of vignettes highlight the subject of this play, which is in fact a dining room. It's all dining rooms and it's fascinating how the playwright centers a series of mini-plays (each vignette us a very short play-trust me it works) around a dining room and the reader is enchanted with the dining room, what it represents, how it's used, ignored, cherished, and revered. Quite a stunning piece of theatre.
