What is the cost of revealing your true self in a time of trouble? The Waverly Gallery by Kenneth Lonergan (US/UK)(Comedy / 2f, 3m)Gladys, the elderly matriarch of the Green family, has run an art gallery in a small Greenwich Village hotel for many years. 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. [229] It's set in a 1950s Soho night club, but feels nothing like the period pieces you're used to. Some of these roles include Christine Collins on 'Changeling,' who doesn't give up fighting to find her missing son, and Evelyn Salt in 'Salt,' who is not just physically strong but emotionally resilient as well. People who grow up in a family with an unbalanced power dynamic often wonder what it would be like if the hierarchy was inverted. Granted, these are all great works and are classics for a reason. When youre in the right headspace, its a rich and rewarding journey. . 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. Its not meant to be an outrageous comedy; rather, Albee explores human proclivities with distressing honesty. Though critics described the plot as lopsided and meandering (and it is both), this new play won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Playwright: Robert OHaraLicensing: Concord Theatricals. If you have the chance, catch a live production; its gripping, even in the hands of non-professionals. Thats reflected in contemporary plays, which offer heartbreaking insights and breathtaking hilarity in equal measure. Contemporary romance with a strong, independent female/ heroine, established in her life and in a strong and successful career or self-employed. She reaches into her own passel of friends and has herself declared "unincompetent," and returns home still in control of her wealth. (Maybe a little too sentimental, but that can be forgiven considering the source material.) Playwright: Will ArberyLicensing: Concord Theatricals. Each story explores a different topic about what it means to be an American. Photo: 2018 Playwrights Horizons production of Dance Nation (Joan Marcus), More Plays & Musicals for Strong Leading Women. This article contains a list of the best modern plays written after the year 2000. Together, they cope with growing up, growing apart, falling in love and chasing their dreams. Beneatha dreams of medical school. Pia, from the New Zealand movie Whale Rider. Doubt: A Parable took home a Pulitzer in 2005; the Broadway production won a Tony the same year. After reviewing their escapades in past relationships and confessing their own mounting anxieties about commitment and the possibility of motherhood, the pair realize their best chance at love may be found closer than they ever imagined. 15 Best Short Plays with Strong Female Lead DAMAGED GOODS Day after day they struggle with infertility, and Hannah herself is on the verge of being laid off. Not paranormal, fantasy. With contemporary characters, ingenious plot twists, and breathtaking visual effects, the play is a fresh look at a timeless love story. Despite the mixed reviews for Daddy, its an interesting and decidedly modern look at race and class conflicts in the world of art. Playwright: Yasmina Reza (translator: Christopher Hampton) Licensing: Dramatists Play Service 17. But when shes called home to answer her mothers distress call about a marital crisis, Amandas grand plan starts to unravel. The fight must go on. How to Transcend a Happy Marriage blurs the lines of monogamy and asks how deeply friends, lovers, and strangers connect. But the hilarity remains the same. Header image: Broadway production of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson (Julieta Cervantes). But how can this be? Chasing Manet by Tina Howe (US/UK)(Comedy / 4f, 3m)A rebellious painter from a distinguished family in Boston and an ebullient Jewish woman with a huge adoring family form an unlikely bond. The play is a captivating meditation on modern politics, art, and religion. Whereas Part I takes place in Fefu's. By Jex Butterworth. What does your wife do? How "contemporary" are we talking here? As Michael takes Lily in his arms on their final meeting, they both transcend fear and mortality while the sun sets on their last dance. Who knows perhaps they were gathered in the Lower Room. In Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, we get to see the war from a tigers perspective. She became a central figure in the Berlin gay community. Mary Page Marlowe by Tracy Letts (US/UK)(Drama / 11f, 6m, 1 girl)Mary Page Marlowe leads an unremarkable life. The City of Conversation by Anthony Giardina (US/UK)(Drama / 4fm, 4m, 1 boy)In 1979, Washington D.C. was a place where people actually talked to each otherwhere adversaries fought it out on the Senate floor and then smoothed it out over drinks and hors d'oeuvres. 15 Contemporary One Act Plays with Powerful Female Characters 15 Best Short Plays with Strong Female Lead October 4, 2022 MB Team Here's 15 Best Short Plays with Strong Female Lead for auditions, workshops, actor reels, performances, castings and theatre productions. Jackie Gleason certainly went above and beyond to measure up to that sobriquet. This madcap comedy is laugh-out-loud funny. All these plays contain powerful monologues with leading female characters. You might even learn a thing or two; Prebble manages to make complicated concepts feel more accessible. For even more plays that go beyond the ingenue visit our website. Drop Dead! This contemporary play is equal parts funny and tragic, revealing the wild passions and anger that flow beneath a seemingly civilized middle-class life. The landscape of modern theater is expansive and often bizarre; you never know what youre going to stumble upon. ', Martin's calls are not being returned by the powerful Broadway magnates capable of getting this play to the Great White Way. The reason? Against a bustling background of mistaken identity, ruthless scheming and backstage theatrics, Wills love for Viola quickly blossoms and inspires him to write his greatest masterpiece. #17. 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. A summer tea party on the brink of doom is how one production of Escaped Alone described the play. 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. Watch actress Kate Fleetwood perform the famous 'Come, you spirits' scene here: Beatrice. Four powerful short plays for powerful people! Playwright: Nilo CruzLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, Appreciating the Density of Shakespeare in Real Time. Playwright: Quiara Alegra HudesLicensing: Dramatists Play Service, A corporate collapse might not seem like fertile fodder for a play, but Enron takes it on with glee. (You might recognize the characters; theyre all proxies for well-known cultural icons.) Another mortal in a universe filled with superheroes is quick-witted Okoye ( Danai Gurira ). Because it feels like this is Wendy Wasserstein's bag. As the little teenage sister of the king, her identity doesn't end there. Eva Adler's Monologue From 'The American Plan'. Get the book. With humor and hope, the play examines how the entertainment industry has dealt with issues of race. Breadcrumbs by Jennifer Haley (US/UK)(Drama / 2f)A reclusive fiction writer diagnosed with dementia must depend upon a troubled young caretaker to complete her autobiography. 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. This is not a play for the faint of heart it follows the meeting of a predator and his victim, now grown up. This list is dedicated to contemporary plays that should grace every actor's shelf or at least be read and familiarized. 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. Role of women in The Merchant of Venice. Its an interesting, and sometimes opaque, examination of the psychology of modern straight white males. This contemporary play is infused with Halls natural, easy style; youre almost certain to recognize the endearing characters. Scarlett O'Hara ( Gone with the Wind) was exceedingly bold for a woman of her time, while Madame Defarge ( A Tale of Two Cities) is an exemplar of tireless villainy. Stage Kiss by Sarah Ruhl (US/UK)(Comedy / 3f, 4m)Art imitates Life. A film passes the Bechdel Test if it has: two named female characters. Through the use of virtual reality video game therapy, she builds a breathtaking new world where she can escape her pain. Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) The awards were mainly for Eclipsed, her 2009 play which started Off-Broadway and is set in war-torn Liberia where three women live as sex slaves to a rebel commander. Silent Sky- Lauren Gunderson (4w,1m) --Could double cast if you have more students. But she has two lacquered daughters, her own Regan and Goneril, who are covetous of the family fortune and resent the manner in which she is enjoying it. The power of the writing was clear from the start; August: Osage County won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for drama and ran for nearly two years on Broadway. Playwright: Jackie Sibblies DruryLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. The plot centers on a first date and the bizarre relationship that follows. Then there's Wilde's Lady Bracknell, Shaw's Mrs Warren and many characters by Michel Tremblay. Rose and Walsh by Neil Simon (US/UK)(Comedy / 2f, 2m)At a beautiful beach house on the tip of Long Island, Rose, a celebrated but near penniless author, receives nightly visits from Walsh, the love of her life and a famous writer himself. She describes her role as a socialist Zionist, her emigration to Palestine in 1921, the birth of her two children and the breakup of her marriage. As someone who spends a fair amount of time complaining on the internet that there aren't enough female heroes out there, this may seem a strange and out of character thing to say. This is a contemporary play set in Victorian times, when male doctors lavished the diagnosis of hysteria on female patients. The Flick is a monster of a play; it runs for 3 hours. Its poignant, funny, and worth a read.Playwright: Mark Haddon, adapted by Simon StephensLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. The young lover is equally certain she really wants to marry him. The script is based on a childrens novel, and it shows; its simple, emotional, and undeniably moving. Playwright: Alan BennettLicensing: Concord Theatricals. Indecent traces the life of the play through history, jumping from the first performance in Berlin to the 1923 Broadway premiere, when the ensemble is arrested on charges of obscenity. After he casually comes out as gay at a press conference, Lemming believes everything will be fine. 18. Between day drinking and teenage drama, everything is going off the rails. 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. Strong female characters are usually considered a desirable thing in geek media such as science fiction, comic books, etc. Lots of modern plays tell war stories, but they usually use a human perspective. If Liz can keep this talented yet volatile young star in line, she just might end up making not only his career, but her own as well. Playwright: Nick Stafford, Michael MorpurgoLicensing: Oxford Playscripts. February 6, 2016 jowritesstuff. When the patriarch disappears, however, the crew gathers, and the truth bubbles hilariously to the surface. Based on the wild life of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, I Am My Own Wife is a one-person play about a German transvestite who lived from 1928-2002. Playwright: Jeremy O. HarrisLicensing: Not available. But lasting happiness always eludes some people, and there was never any answer to the question with which Judy ended every show: "If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow, why, oh, why, can't I?" 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. A Feminine Ending by Sarah Treem (Dark Comedy / 2f, 3m) . 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 . 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. Playwright: David HarrowerLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Playwright: Caryl ChurchillLicensing: Concord Theatricals. The economic collapse has affected Hannah and David's relationship, and Moore's comedy subversively captures the truth buried beneath the laughs. The ingenue has her time and place, but womens stories extend beyond tales of young innocents. This bittersweet comedy of manners is a tribute to the grandeur of Southern style and a musing on what a smart woman might really want toward the end of her life. Its an intense, uncomfortable look at the way women are treated, both in this sort-of futuristic place, but also in our modern world. From Kushner to Karam, Miller to Mamet, and Nottage to O'Neill, these are the 25 modern and contemporary plays every actor should know. 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. Last Of The Red Hot Lovers 3. Claire Danes - Danes plays bipolar CIA agent Carrie . Hes too staid, too boring, and she just wants him to be a little more spontaneous. Happy Birthday, Jackie Gleason! (And it doesnt stop there.) 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. Dolly subsequently becomes involved with two of Vandergelder's clerks, several lovely ladies, and the headwaiter at an expensive restaurant where this swift farce runs headlong into hilarious complications. The women were mainly strong and are . Ugly Lies the Bone - Lindsey Ferrentino (3w 2m) - Main character is a young woman who is a returning Afghanistan veteran. In the years since, its become one of the most popular plays for high school and community theater groups. Its mounted frequently at theaters around the country, cementing its place as one of the most famous modern plays. Her volunteer hospice worker, Glorie, is a Harvard MBA recently transplanted to this rural backwater from New York. She brings with her not only vivid memories of Afghanistan, but painful burns that have left her physically and emotionally scarred. 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. August Osage County, by Tracy Letts. Its bizarre but entertaining, though the revelation of the womens darkest secrets seems like an unnecessary addition to an already interesting show. Before her special night is over, however, Annie and her friends enter into a life altering pact. Here's 15 Best Short Plays with Strong Female Lead for auditions, workshops, actor reels, performances, castings and theatre productions. In The Daylight 5. The characters are flawed and funnyand youll be glad you dont have to hang out with them in real life. 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. Witty and charmingly outlandish, The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow offers a fresh, surprisingly insightful take on the human vs. technology theme. Teamwork, courage, loyalty, compassion, generosity, and perseverance are just a few of the traits that make Hermione such a memorable and beloved character. Ask MetaFilter is a question and answer site that covers nearly any question on earth, where members help each other solve problems. Ladies Choice! In one corner is Daphna Feygenbam, a Real Jew who is volatile, self-assured, and unbending. Bree Daniels (Jane Fonda), Klute (1971) The girl with the most distinctive hairdo in the history of prostitution. 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. He has an opportunity to buy some land down-home, but he has to come up with the money right quick. What is the competition? In fact, it won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2002. (Titles 59 and 60 are set for publication in 2019). Its a fascinating and engaging tale that offers a slightly lighter, yet still tragic, perspective. Playwright: Sarah RuhlLicensing: Concord Theatricals. 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. Join 8,027 readers in helping fund MetaFilter. Playwright: Phil PorterLicensing: Concord Theatricals, If youre tired of violence against women being used as a plot device in theater, film, and TV, Revolt, She Said, Revolt Again is a must-read. The four are all contending with different life issues, all the while fully aware of their privileged position (thanks to the absent mother). She begins her day, talking incessantly, with her daily prayer, brushing her teeth, drinking her tonic, and putting on her hat. Ask MetaFilter is where thousands of life's little questions are answered. In a truly remarkable feat, Suzan-Lori Parks wrote one play every day for a full year. Where better to begin than with four housewives in a suburban New Jersey cul-de-sac? Erin La Rosa 3. 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 Jess advances farther in the game, she begins to restore her relationships, her life, and, slowly, herself. 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