Under Thirty : Plays for a New Generation

Rating:
Summary: For MY generation? I hope not!
Review: A lot of books were mandatory reading for my scriptwriting class. I liked most of them - this was the exception, and I grew to loath this book with much unbridled passion. I found it to be such a waste of money and time, and had it not been mandatory reading I would have made sure myself and this book never came eye to eye.

What annoys me about this book? These plays are some of the worst plays I have ever read. Many of the stories are poorly conceived, coming from nowhere and going nowhere. "Shari Says" is a classic example - I was with a group of actors trying to read through it, and we were continually confused as to what was going on. Scenes would last about a few seconds before just ending and moving on to another plotline. "Maybe this is going somewhere" one of my peers said. Then a few seconds later the play ends, with no clear resolution - more like a series of random thoughts than a coherent story structure. The characters were also poorly done - the main male character Doug goes from dropping the f-bomb and saying he has a hard-on when suddenly at the end of the play he's this nice, decent gentleman. And even more glaring example is in the play "War At Home" about September 11. The character called a slacker asks to listen to NPR when people ask for stations. I have never known any drug-OD'd, apathetic slacker who listens to NPR. It's like a stoner wanting to listen to BBC!

Many of these plays also just flat out bore me. "Fishing" was the biggest offender. I already knew the twist ending at the beginning of the play, characters babble on and on about various topics repeating themselves at least three times, and I found no particular joy in hearing them talk about family incense and rape like it was nothing. (because after all, victims of sexual abuse talk about their horrors like they would the weather...)

"Thrilling plays" the front cover says. LIES. Pure, adulterated LIES. And I am not alone. The majority of my screenplay class shared my distaste for much of these plays. Are all these plays bad? No, I'll give you that. A few are decent, which is why I have given it two stars. But I would not suggest it to any one for reading or practice, whether you be an acting coach, a writing teacher, or a student of either.

Rating:
Summary: Terrific Collection
Review: Another great collection from Lane and Shengold. As a casting director in New York, I always recommend their collections to actors looking for audition scenes. This new book of scenes for actors under 30 is another one that shows this team's knowledge and insight into what will help you get that job over someone who is just reading that same old thing.

Rating:
Summary: A GREAT BOOK
Review: I LOVE this book. A great collection of plays that are really smart, funny and moving. I'm part of a small theater company, and we're always looking for fresh material with great roles for actors. This book is a goldmine. We're going to perform several of the plays and I can't wait. This one is TERRIFIC!!

Rating:
Summary: A fabulous read
Review: I loved this book. It was thoroughly compelling--a brilliant range of subject and voice, and the quality of writing throughout was outstanding. I am a fiction reader, and don't tend to read plays, but this book was given to me as a gift, and I highly recommend it.