←Recommendations of Playing With Dolls

  • Charles Scott Jones: Playing With Dolls by John Mabey
    “

    The ingenious setting/premise of PLAYING WITH DOLLS - in an alley behind a toy story - an interracial meeting between fathers exchanging dolls - is so ominous and curiosity-inducing. John Mabey has such a light and magical touch for difficult subjects. Even after a second reading, I'm agog at how he pulls off the art of making friends by two male parents. I love it that Carl appreciates Gregory for his honesty and gentle antagonism and Gregory tolerates Carl's clumsy attempts at openness. It's not easy for adult men to make friends and this wise play offers a pathway.

    The ingenious setting/premise of PLAYING WITH DOLLS - in an alley behind a toy story - an interracial meeting between fathers exchanging dolls - is so ominous and curiosity-inducing. John Mabey has such a light and magical touch for difficult subjects. Even after a second reading, I'm agog at how he pulls off the art of making friends by two male parents. I love it that Carl appreciates Gregory for his honesty and gentle antagonism and Gregory tolerates Carl's clumsy attempts at openness. It's not easy for adult men to make friends and this wise play offers a pathway.

    ”
  • Tom Moran: Playing With Dolls by John Mabey
    “

    A sweet, nuanced, slice-of-life that touches on a lot of topics, but all boils down to themes of white cis male awkwardness: about race, sexuality, and most of all simple homosociality. It does a lot with <10 minutes, showing us the foundations of, if not a friendship, at least the sort of connection from which friendships are formed.

    A sweet, nuanced, slice-of-life that touches on a lot of topics, but all boils down to themes of white cis male awkwardness: about race, sexuality, and most of all simple homosociality. It does a lot with <10 minutes, showing us the foundations of, if not a friendship, at least the sort of connection from which friendships are formed.

    ”
  • David Lipschutz: Playing With Dolls by John Mabey
    “

    John Mabey has written an effective and beautiful play that, albeit only 10-minutes long, addresses a broad spectrum of important issues. "Playing with Dolls" - which is a great title - is a thoroughly enjoyable read.

    John Mabey has written an effective and beautiful play that, albeit only 10-minutes long, addresses a broad spectrum of important issues. "Playing with Dolls" - which is a great title - is a thoroughly enjoyable read.

    ”
  • Robert Weibezahl: Playing With Dolls by John Mabey
    “

    There is so much to love about this beautiful play, which in a mere ten minutes touches on so many root issues: race, masculinity, sexual identity, fatherhood, and, most especially, the particular awkwardness men display in their (often thwarted) yearning for friendship. And it does all this through heartfelt humor and with unabashed humanity. Bravo!

    There is so much to love about this beautiful play, which in a mere ten minutes touches on so many root issues: race, masculinity, sexual identity, fatherhood, and, most especially, the particular awkwardness men display in their (often thwarted) yearning for friendship. And it does all this through heartfelt humor and with unabashed humanity. Bravo!

    ”
  • Jacquelyn Floyd-Priskorn: Playing With Dolls by John Mabey
    “

    This is such a sweet play. When two strangers come together to trade dolls and fears. It doesn't come easy. I think the theme of parenting and manly stereotypes is handled so skillfully in these quick pages. A great addition to any evening of theatre and actors will love tackling these roles!

    This is such a sweet play. When two strangers come together to trade dolls and fears. It doesn't come easy. I think the theme of parenting and manly stereotypes is handled so skillfully in these quick pages. A great addition to any evening of theatre and actors will love tackling these roles!

    ”
  • DC Cathro: Playing With Dolls by John Mabey
    “

    Some very profound truths come out in this short but powerful piece. Parenting is a seemingly endless series of trials and second guessing, and Mabey nails the uncertainty AND the confidence. Side note - I used to work at a toy store, and this kind of scenario was not uncommon. Really engaging.

    Some very profound truths come out in this short but powerful piece. Parenting is a seemingly endless series of trials and second guessing, and Mabey nails the uncertainty AND the confidence. Side note - I used to work at a toy store, and this kind of scenario was not uncommon. Really engaging.

    ”
  • Doug DeVita: Playing With Dolls by John Mabey
    “

    Two fathers, one black, one white, trying so hard to get it right, and they do – but in ways they never anticipated. Mabey's taut, swift ten-minute play lingers long after one has read it, mainly because it so well written, and it makes its points with sharp precision. Intelligent and engaging, it should be embraced by short play festivals everywhere.

    Two fathers, one black, one white, trying so hard to get it right, and they do – but in ways they never anticipated. Mabey's taut, swift ten-minute play lingers long after one has read it, mainly because it so well written, and it makes its points with sharp precision. Intelligent and engaging, it should be embraced by short play festivals everywhere.

    ”