This awkward exchange blossoms into genuine connection is filled with brief, but somehow deep, explorations of some of the most difficult topics we face. Loved the production in Loved Ones Season 2!

The production of this play on Gather by the Ghost Light is fantastic, & it's even more interesting knowing the seed of this piece is a true story from Mabey's own family. It takes a keen writer's mind to take a strange & silent moment from decades past & draw out themes of adult discomfort around race, gender & parenthood that still resonate today. [spoiler ahead] I love the little echo of Waiting for Godot in the ending that resolves with potential for connection & collaborative evolution.

We produced an audio play version of this script in our Season 4 line-up (https://www.gatherbytheghostlight.com/s4e4). John Mabey has an uncanny ability to tackle important topics in his plays that keep you thinking after you're finished reading. "Playing with Dolls" addresses gender stereotypes and racial identity within a story about two strangers connecting to exchange toy dolls for their kids. The beauty of this script also comes from the small glimpse we get of this meeting of men which will surely develop into a friendship between the two strangers. Highly recommended for reading or producing!