Hmm. Our leading lady is Jennifer, a young, agoraphobic tech whiz whos afraid to leave her room. Well, heres a plot point you wont be expecting a man falls in love with a goat. Rosalind in As You Like it and Viola in Twelfth Night both dress as men. Playwright: Richard BeanLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. She deftly integrates the social and political context of the time, offering insights into the attitudes and behaviors of her characters. Playwright: Sarah RuhlLicensing: Concord Theatricals. 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. Playwright: Christopher DurangLicensing: Dramatists Play Service, Madeleine George explores the Watsons of the world as in Sherlock Holmes trusty assistant and the roles they play in the most important developments in human history. Playwright: Lulu RaczkaPublisher: Bloomsbury. 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. These plays serve as the very best examples of what drama should be. That is, until he finds his muse Viola. The Children's Hour has many female roles, and only two for men. "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. 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. The tool is a great reminder that females, even in a love story, can discuss other matters that don't include a man or romance. Chicha, The Emperor's New Groove Walt Disney Animation Chicha has a "no nonsense" attitude and. Its a clever conceit, though some pairings are more fun than others. Their creativity, depth, and characters have set a new standard for playwrights for generations to come. The plot centers on a first date and the bizarre relationship that follows. 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. A wacky and heartrending look at the effect of senility on a family. Its a fascinating and engaging tale that offers a slightly lighter, yet still tragic, perspective. X-23 (Dafne Keen) in Logan. Where better to begin than with four housewives in a suburban New Jersey cul-de-sac? After an unthinkable tragedy, the Corbetts struggle to survive, each on their own way. Lucy is characterized as a "fussbudget", crabby, [1] [2] bossy and opinionated girl who bullies most other characters in . February 6, 2016 jowritesstuff. She is also the esteemed winner of a BAFTA for Random, (2010) adapted for Channel Four from its run at the Royal Court. Complex psychological and philosophical ideas about the nature of consciousness are explored here, but it is the Major's badass fighting that makes this cyberpunk thriller such a delight. 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. The result is one of the most inventive and insightful contemporary plays out there. She runs a brothel that takes in women who have been ruined by soldiers. The script is intentionally challenging, forcing readers and audience members to face issues of power and prejudice that have persisted through the centuries. 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 . Kill Bill (2003) - The Bride (Uma Thurman) For the record, there are several Tarantino classics which feature a strong female lead ( Pulp Fiction, True Romance, From Dusk Till Dawn ), but Kill Bill has to take the cake. The Piano Lesson by August Wilson (US/UK)(Drama / 3f, 5m)It is 1936, and Boy Willie arrives in Pittsburgh from the South in a battered truck loaded with watermelons to sell. 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. Cost of Living explores the experiences of two physically disabled people, but dont expect an uplifting story of triumph the plot is firmly grounded in reality, with all of its uncomfortable and distressing truths. Lots of modern plays tell war stories, but they usually use a human perspective. Though critics described the plot as lopsided and meandering (and it is both), this new play won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The failed marriages, the suicide attempts, and the addictions are all behind her. Angelina Jolie - Jolie has played a number of strong female characters. Livingstones questions force all three women to re-examine the meaning of faith and the power of love, leading to a dramatic, compelling climax. Check out these 30 titles featuring strong women ranging in age, temperament and position. 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. Though the title might sound modern, In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play) takes you back to the late 1880s. 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. Alive with the sounds and colors of a remarkable country, this bittersweet comedy of mischievous matchmaking raises provocative questions about love, friendship, family, and what it means to be ready to be a parent. And if their new routine is good enough, theyll claw their way to the top at Nationals in Tampa Bay. Beatrice is one of the most brilliantly witty and straight talking of Shakespeare's female characters. But as Sharon begins to uncover Robyns secrets, they encourage her own deep-seated desire to transform her life completely. Eva Adler's Monologue From 'The American Plan'. Andromeda Ascendant (Andromeda television series) Beka Valentine (Andromeda television series) Buffy Summers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie and television series created by Joss Whedon) Zoe . The result is a curious patchwork of sketches and scenes it works best when you accept the unusual form and enjoy the ride. Metamorphoses by Mary Zimmerman 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. The treatment? When a record-breaking blizzard blows into town and an elderly resident disappears into the storm, everyone is brought to face their own mortality. Playwrights: Theresa Rebeck, Alexandra Gersten-VassilarosLicensing: Concord Theatricals. Navigating new relationships and inevitable temptations, Kens supposedly missing faith is tested. Unfortunately, they hate each other. The premise is exactly as devastating as it sounds; its almost unbearable in parts. 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. There's Jekyll and Hyde, which has two major female parts (Lucy and Emma) plus several smaller ones (Lady Beaconsfield and another prostitute whose name I can't remember.) 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. He was known as a modern playwright because he wrote with realism, and had a doubtful way of portraying the gods in his plays. The curious structure is a surprisingly effective way to illuminate issues of racial disparity and prejudice. August Osage County, by Tracy Letts. 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. Perfect for auditions or class. Yes, you read that correctly. One Man, Two Guvnors premiered in 2011, but it was originally conceived in 1743. Emotion, history, and passion combine in this remarkable theatrical accomplishment. What Francis doesnt realize is that the real Roscoe is dead hes actually working for Roscoes sister, Rachel, whos pretending to be her brother. In the US/North America, click here. Its mounted frequently at theaters around the country, cementing its place as one of the most famous modern plays. "Fefu and her Friends," Mara Irene Forns (1977) "Fefu and her Friends" features Fefu and seven of her female friends during a day in the spring of 1935. Pia, from the New Zealand movie Whale Rider. Will Bridget be able to handle all the excitement? For Peter Pan on her 70th Birthday by Sarah Ruhl (US/UK) (Dramatic Comedy / 2f, 4m)When Ann thinks of her father, she immediately remembers playing Peter Pan in her hometown theater in Iowa, particularly when he used to bring her flowers after her performance. 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. 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. After everyone gets straightened out romantically, Vandergelder finds himself affianced to the astute Dolly Levi herself. This contemporary play is equal parts funny and tragic, revealing the wild passions and anger that flow beneath a seemingly civilized middle-class life. It continues to a covert reading in Nazi-controlled Poland, and ends with a proposed version at Yale in the 1950s. Jess soon realizes that things at home have changed even more than she has. As Jess advances farther in the game, she begins to restore her relationships, her life, and, slowly, herself. Painting Churches 4. A savagely funny drama featuring a glorious ensemble of Judy Garland hits and infused with the glamour and the melancholy of stardom. Life imitates Art. And, if Sylvia and Leatrice do agree to appear together, will Paul Newman sign on, too? Hes too staid, too boring, and she just wants him to be a little more spontaneous. Walter Lee, a chauffeur, has other plans: buying a liquor store and being his own man. Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks by Richard Alfieri (US/UK)(Comedy / 1f, 1m) Lily, an aging but formidable retiree, hires Michael, an acerbic dance instructor, to give her dance lessons in her condo in St. Petersburg Beach, Florida. Playwright: David Henry HwangLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Wealthy woman were highly educated but they had no . Whereas Part I takes place in Fefu's. 9. Kincaid. Ladies Choice! Cloud Nine 6. 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 Skin of Our Teeth by Thornton Wilder (US/UK)(Comedy / 4f, 4m)Meet George and Maggie Antrobus of Excelsior, New Jersey, a suburban commuter-town couple (married for 5,000 years); the two Antrobus children, Gladys (perfect in every way, of course) and Henry (who likes to throw rocks and was formerly known as Cain); and their garrulous maid, Sabina (the eternal seductress), who takes it upon herself to break out of character and interrupt the course of the drama at every opportunity (I dont understand a word of this play!). The premise of The Hot Wing King is simple; Cordell is out to win an annual hot wing competition in Memphis. Ask MetaFilter is where thousands of life's little questions are answered. Nemesis The Diabolic by S.J. Check out More Plays & Musicals for Strong Leading Women or browse the Concord Theatricals website in the US or UK. She certainly exercises power over her husband, Macbeth, in the first half of the play, as she encourages him to murder Duncan. 23 Musical Theater Audition Songs for Tenors, 59 Best Musicals for High School: The Ultimate List, 21 Contemporary Legit Soprano Musical Theatre Songs. After premiering at the Edinburgh International Festival, this play went on to win the Olivier award for Best New Play and the Tony for Best Revival of a Play. As "men", these characters have more freedom, highlighting the lack of social liberty for women in Shakespeare's time. She begins her day, talking incessantly, with her daily prayer, brushing her teeth, drinking her tonic, and putting on her hat. 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. And infused with the glamour and the addictions are all behind her uncover. 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contemporary plays with strong female characters