Angelina Jolie - Jolie has played a number of strong female characters. Large Cast Suggestions for Female Heavy Plays (Part 1) : PerformerStuff More Good Stuff It appears that you are outside of North America. 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. Okoye "Black Panther" (2018) Image via Marvel Studios. However, feel free to browse tips and download any public domain (free) monologues on our site. What Francis doesnt realize is that the real Roscoe is dead hes actually working for Roscoes sister, Rachel, whos pretending to be her brother. Macs signature absurd realism style contributes nicely to this dark comedy. Euripides's plays had women as the main character because he had a sympathetic way of portraying women. X-23 (Dafne Keen) in Logan. The script is nuanced and heart-rending, offering an in-depth look at privilege of all kinds. What were women doing, feeling, thinking while the men were gathered with Jesus in the Upper Room? He has an opportunity to buy some land down-home, but he has to come up with the money right quick. Despite the fact that a single woman ruled England at the time of Shakespeare, the Elizabethan society was patriarchal. 21 Best Contemporary Dramatic Monologues For Women From Published Plays 1. She's a model for all female journalists. As the assembled widows await the announcement of the society's prize-winning quiche, the atomic bomb sirens sound! A hilarious, touching play. All posts copyright their original authors. When the patriarch disappears, however, the crew gathers, and the truth bubbles hilariously to the surface. A Bright Room Called Day 2. Barefoot in the Park by Neil Simon (US)(Comedy / 2f, 4m)Paul and Corie Bratter are newlyweds in every sense of the word. He is financially strapped and taking to the road as a salesman. The Frasiers, a Black family, are getting ready for a family birthday party, but nothing is proceeding according to plan. With contemporary characters, ingenious plot twists, and breathtaking visual effects, the play is a fresh look at a timeless love story. Are you looking for new plays to read or perform? Cloud Nine 6. Last Of The Red Hot Lovers 3. A young girl, Mick Kelly, stands out from her companions as she chooses to search for beauty to fight her loneliness, unlike the others. Her volunteer hospice worker, Glorie, is a Harvard MBA recently transplanted to this rural backwater from New York. The young lover is equally certain she really wants to marry him. 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. 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. 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. 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. Letts infuses the script with subtle, brilliant insights a few scenes in, your laughter will be tinged with heartbreak. How "contemporary" are we talking here? This riveting play is an epic tale told through an unexpected and remarkable perspective. Thats reflected in contemporary plays, which offer heartbreaking insights and breathtaking hilarity in equal measure. But when the dark nature of their quest breaks through the fantasy of these girls cos-playing - they find that no game can mask the deep loss theyve recently shared unless they truly discover who they are. Check out these 30 titles featuring strong women ranging in age, temperament and position. Inspired by Lynn Nottages interviews with real-life survivors in Africa, the story explores the impossibly complex and questionable decisions that women must make to survive in a world destroyed by men. The plot centers on a first date and the bizarre relationship that follows. A remarkably independent woman, Janie Crawford's strength is in her ability to keep on going, no matter what her life throws at her, and to uphold her dignity throughout. 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. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Playwright: Edward AlbeeLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. The staunchly Midwestern Weston family seems normal on the surface. 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. 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. People Who Voted On This List (88) Mary 816 books Licensing, publishing, recording & producing company comprising R&H Theatricals, Samuel French, Tams-Witmark & The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection. The women were mainly strong and are . Photo: 2018 Playwrights Horizons . If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Granted, these are all great works and are classics for a reason. Three interracial couples attend an Antebellum Sexual Performance Therapy workshop at the McGregor Plantation. 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. In The Daylight 5. 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. Brothers Lincoln and Booth yes, the names are intentional are just trying to stay afloat after a challenging upbringing. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. But how can this be? 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. In the other is her equally stubborn cousin Liam, a secular and entitled young man, who has his shiska girlfriend, Melody, in tow. Adjacent to the doctor's laboratory, his young and energetic wife tries to tend to their newborn daughter and wonders exactly what is going on in the next room. With comments by those who reviewed their productions, here are our updated picks for the Best Plays of the 21st Century.so far. In the UK/Europe, click here. Its mounted frequently at theaters around the country, cementing its place as one of the most famous modern plays. 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. Agnes of God by John Pielmeier (US/UK)(Drama/ 3f)Summoned to a convent, Dr. Martha Livingstone, a court-appointed psychiatrist, is charged with assessing the sanity of a novice accused of murdering her newborn. who talk to each other. If you love sports and controversy doesnt hurt to love British football, too Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads is an interesting contemporary read. 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. Playwright: Yasmina Reza (translator: Christopher Hampton)Licensing: Dramatists Play Service. Teamwork, courage, loyalty, compassion, generosity, and perseverance are just a few of the traits that make Hermione such a memorable and beloved character. Topdog/Underdog is one of the best contemporary plays from one of the most celebrated modern playwrights: Suzan-Lori Parks. Will her nana get arrested or worse evicted? Stage Kiss by Sarah Ruhl (US/UK)(Comedy / 3f, 4m)Art imitates Life. When a Tibetan lama and a monk come to their home unexpectedly, asking to take their child away for a life of spiritual training in India, the parents must make a life-altering choice that will test their strength, their marriage, and their hearts. Though critics described the plot as lopsided and meandering (and it is both), this new play won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. During the opening night performance, the murders continue. Hall, who also wrote the book for Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, was inspired by her brother a Black, gay man living life in the south. Beneatha dreams of medical school. As he perfects his recipe, the chaos of his chosen and biological family swirls around him in the kitchen. 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. 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. Watch actress Kate Fleetwood perform the famous 'Come, you spirits' scene here: Beatrice. (In some cases, "allegedly" strong female characters -- see criticisms below.) Hurricane Diane by Madeleine George (US/UK)(Comedy / 5f)Meet Diane, a permaculture gardener dripping with butch charm. In Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, we get to see the war from a tigers perspective. ', Martin's calls are not being returned by the powerful Broadway magnates capable of getting this play to the Great White Way. A remarkably powerful and compassionate portrait of a contemporary American woman striving for grace. In the US/North America, click here. They have her committed to a sanitarium, but miss a bet when they think that will hold the old gal. Danger is everywhere, and mysterious blackouts are setting residents on edge. 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. Sabriel, Sabriel fantasyblog.ciaraballintyne.com Harper Collins Sabriel because she was a badass who fought monsters and went on adventures. 23. In a play, character's action description and thought are revealed by _____ or _____. The script isnt without its flaws, but its funny, touching, and worth a read. Where better to begin than with four housewives in a suburban New Jersey cul-de-sac? August Osage County, by Tracy Letts. Playwright: David Henry HwangLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Its 1929, and youre a Cuban immigrant in a Florida cigar factory in Tampa. Nanas Naughty Knickers by Katherine DiSavino (US/UK)(Comedy / 5f, 3m, 1m or f)Bridget and her grandmother are about to become roommates. Check out More Plays & Musicals for Strong Leading Women or browse the Concord Theatricals website in the US or UK. Playwright: Taylor MacLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Then there's Wilde's Lady Bracknell, Shaw's Mrs Warren and many characters by Michel Tremblay. Women's music (or womyn's music or wimmin's music) is the music by women, for women, and about women. When a new "hysterical" patient and her husband bring a wet nurse and their own complicated relationship into the doctor's home, Dr. and Mrs. Givings must examine the nature of their own marriage, and what it truly means to love someone. 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. 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. 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. Given the generally understated nature of the writing and the mundane movie-theater setting it feels like a lot. It brings to light the dysfunction of an American family with all of its highs and lows. 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. The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion (US)(Drama / 1f) In this dramatic adaptation of her award-winning, bestselling memoir (which The New York Times called "an indelible portrait of loss and griefa haunting portrait of a four-decade-long marriage), Joan Didion transforms the story of the sudden and unexpected loss of her husband and their only daughter into a stunning and powerful one-woman play. The premise is exactly as devastating as it sounds; its almost unbearable in parts. A girl is missing in a dystopian city. 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. Diane C. McPhail composes a complex portrait of life in the American South at the height of the Civil War, with an outspoken young woman remaining firm in her convictions at a time when such behavior from women was looked down upon. Check out More Plays & Musicals for Strong Leading Women or browse the Concord Theatricals website in the US or UK. Euripides was one of the most well-known playwrights of ancient Greece. 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. She certainly exercises power over her husband, Macbeth, in the first half of the play, as she encourages him to murder Duncan. 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! Header image: Broadway production of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson (Julieta Cervantes). Nilo Cruz shows off his magical, almost lyrical, grasp of language in this lovely play. You might recognize Quiara Alegra Hudes name she wrote the book for the musical In the Heights. Ugly Lies the Bone by Lindsey Ferrentino (US/UK)(Drama / 3f, 2m)Newly discharged soldier Jess has finally returned to her Florida hometown. re: Plays with mainly female characters. 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 . This is contemporary theater at its most challenging: intentionally disjointed, full-on, and alternately hilarious and heartbreaking.Playwright: Alice BirchLicensing: Concord Theatricals. (Titles 59 and 60 are set for publication in 2019). Eve Dallas 2018 Books: Dark in Death and Leverage in Death by J.D. Five different women named Betty collide at the intersection of anger, sex, and the Thea-Tah.. When the parents meet, purportedly to resolve the issue, the discussion devolves into madness. 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. Playwright: John Patrick ShanleyLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. "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. Playwright: Roy WilliamsLicensing: Concord Theatricals (UK). They are guilt-stricken when this nearly breaks Idas heart. Playwright: Heidi SchreckLicensing: Concord Theatricals. More goes down in the session than music in this riveting portrayal of rage, racism, the self-hate, and exploitation. Each story explores a different topic about what it means to be an American. 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. She deftly integrates the social and political context of the time, offering insights into the attitudes and behaviors of her characters. 23 Musical Theater Audition Songs for Tenors, 59 Best Musicals for High School: The Ultimate List, 21 Contemporary Legit Soprano Musical Theatre Songs. Unusual Acts Of Devotion 8. volcanic iceland epic trip Only a lot of the plays being suggested in this thread are twenty or thirty years old! Ariane Lange 4.. The fight must go on. 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. 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. Jackie Gleason certainly went above and beyond to measure up to that sobriquet. And if their new routine is good enough, theyll claw their way to the top at Nationals in Tampa Bay. Well, they're all played by women! Jeremy O. Harris shot to fame with Slave Play; with Daddy, he seems determined to shock audiences. 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." She has already rejected several offers because the antique piano is covered with incredible carvings detailing the familys rise from slavery. Slave Play is a fearless and unexpected examination of race and sex. This article contains a list of the best modern plays written after the year 2000. A wacky and heartrending look at the effect of senility on a family. 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. Though the title might sound modern, In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play) takes you back to the late 1880s. 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. The remaining thespians must save the show and their careers, solve the mystery and stay alive for curtain calls. Sharp and more than a little cynical, this fast-paced contemporary comedic play stands out in any theatrical season. 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. 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. Written by multiple award-winning playwright Jane Shepard. 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. Hanna (2011) Its exactly as crushing as you might imagine, but its not without a note of hope. Tucker green is an award-winning playwright, having established herself in the world of theatre by 2004 with Born Bad, which scooped the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Newcomer Play in that year. All these plays contain powerful monologues with leading female characters. and other women are. Perhaps the good-natured sweetness and innocent enthusiasm that radiates from each of the 11 vignette-style love stories. Its a fascinating and engaging tale that offers a slightly lighter, yet still tragic, perspective. According to legend, it was no less a personage than the legendary Orson Welles who nicknamed the man born Herbert Walton Gleason Jr. in New York City on this date in 1916 "The Great One.". Her goddaughter thinks she has actually fallen in love with a local fisherman while her dashing friend believes she is finally ready to accept his proposal. Hmm. If you have the mental space however, this insightful play is well worth a read. 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?" Hes too staid, too boring, and she just wants him to be a little more spontaneous. A film passes the Bechdel Test if it has: two named female characters. 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. Caryl Churchill cleverly uses four chatty, retired British women as the voice that warns of the coming apocalypse. Like Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes. Playwright: Jez ButterworthLicensing: Nick Hern Books. Livingstones questions force all three women to re-examine the meaning of faith and the power of love, leading to a dramatic, compelling climax. The reason? If youre in search of comedic contemporary plays, Clybourne Park fits the bill it racked up Tony, Olivier, and Pulitzer awards. Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell) Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) River Tam (Summer Glau) Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) The Bride (Uma Thurman) Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) 10. Ken (a man from Nebraska, of course) deals with a spiritual crisis in Tracy Letts play. As Jess advances farther in the game, she begins to restore her relationships, her life, and, slowly, herself. The TV industry seems obsessed with the silent-but-deadly female archetype. Conversation and arguments rise and fall as the cast processes the horrifying events and the broader implications on the world at large. Ida is sweet tempered and ready to begin a new life; Lucille is a feisty embodiment of the girl who just wants to have fun; and Doris is priggish and judgmental, particularly when Sam the butcher enters the scene. 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. 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. Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell are showgirls and best friends who take control of their destinies by choosing to marry rich men. If Martin can sign them he can get the money. The result is one of the most inventive and insightful contemporary plays out there. People who grow up in a family with an unbalanced power dynamic often wonder what it would be like if the hierarchy was inverted. Kincaid. 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. Vrooommm! 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. Will Bridget be able to handle all the excitement? On the advice of his pastor, he leaves Lincoln and ventures out into the wide world for the first time, landing in London. Playwright: Jeremy O. HarrisLicensing: Concord Theatricals. This contemporary play is equal parts funny and tragic, revealing the wild passions and anger that flow beneath a seemingly civilized middle-class life. This play might sound like a Jane Austen novel, but its actually a sequel to A Raisin in the Sun. Robyn, also in her mid-fifties, needs a place to hide and a chance to start over. 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