[Mirrored from the Underwords Press website.]
In what is turning out to be one of the most fascinating reviews that I have seen done in a very long time, Surreal Time Press (STP) is publishing a complete set of reviews that feature each play within Geek Theater. It is really quite stunning when someone takes the time and initiative to put together a project like this (all on their own), and it is more than a little humbling. I think, putting it quite bluntly, that this is an editor’s dream. Clearly, STP isn’t going to be enamored of every play and will find things to critique. That’s just how reviews work. However, it’s truly amazing that they have taken the time to sit down and parse each play, pulling out the good and the bad, and then putting it all online for everyone to see.
This list of reviews is currently incomplete as the process is still ongoing, but I will post links to the new review as they are made available. I offer my sincere thanks to STP for this amazing series of reviews for Geek Theater.
GEEK THEATER REVIEW PART 1: INTRODUCTION
http://surrealtimepress.com/2014/12/18/geek-theater-review-part-1-introduction/
Introduction by Jen Gunnels and Erin Underwood
“If there ever was a moment for a collection of plays like Geek Theater: Fifteen Plays by Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers, this is it. The recently published volume has been carefully curated by editors Jen Gunnels and Erin Underwood to celebrate the current proliferation of “geek” related content in theater. As a New York theater critic, I have had the great privilege of witnessing this invasion of geek genres and ideas first hand over the last ten years … In the tradition of Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone, the plays collected in Geek Theater keep the big ticket special effects mostly off-stage and instead find their stories in the human moments and mind-blowing ideas in the spaces between. I’m fascinated and invigorated by the idea that while mindless effects-laden movies are becoming common in Hollywood, the pure science fiction of the mind lives on and thrives in live theater.”
GEEK THEATER REVIEW PART 2: MISSION TO MARS
http://surrealtimepress.com/2014/12/23/geek-theater-review-part-2-mission-to-mars/
Mission to Mars by Jeanne Beckwith
“The ending is masterful.”
GEEK THEATER REVIEW PART 3: FOR THE LIVING
http://surrealtimepress.com/2015/01/07/geek-theater-review-part-3-for-the-living/
For the Living by Chie-Hoon Lee
“It kind of blew my mind.”
GEEK THEATER REVIEW PART 4: THE REST OF THE SHORT PLAYS
http://surrealtimepress.com/2015/01/14/geek-theater-review-part-4-the-rest-of-the-short-plays/
Rapunzel’s Haircut by Cecil Castellucci
“Fractured or post-modern fairytales are certain nothing new, so it’s admirable that despite the murder and brainwashing, Castellucci pries out of this old fairy tale a compellingly modern concept about love in the discussion of Rapunzel’s two suitors.”
The Promise of Space by James Patrick Kelly
“Kelly’s story works because it is driven by character.”
GEEK THEATER REVIEW – PART 5: CONSIDER THE SERVICES OF THE DEPARTED
http://surrealtimepress.com/2015/03/30/geek-theater-review-part-5-consider-the-services-of-the-departed/
Consider the Services of the Departed by F. Brett Cox
“Delivered by a non-gender specific speaker in formal attire, Cox’s script is instead brisk and bracingly funny, correlating the shuffling deceased with the plight of the migrant worker – why not let them rise from their graves and do the jobs that nobody wants to do?”
GEEK THEATER REVIEW – PART 6: THE ZOMBIES OF MONTROSE
http://surrealtimepress.com/2015/04/01/geek-theater-review-part-6-the-zombies-of-montrose/
The Zombies of Montrose by James Morrow
“We are in refreshingly new territory.”
GEEK THEATER REVIEW – PART 6: THE ZOMBIES OF MONTROSE
http://surrealtimepress.com/2015/04/01/geek-theater-review-part-6-the-zombies-of-montrose/
The Zombies of Montrose by James Morrow
“We are in refreshingly new territory.”
GEEK THEATER REVIEW – PART 7: THE CLOCKWORK COMRADE
http://surrealtimepress.com/2015/04/03/geek-theater-review-part-7-the-clockwork-comrade/
The Clockwork Comrade by Carlos Hernandez
“I never knew I wanted a story about a talking grandfather clock meeting Castro, but this play is so charming and unique that it completely won me over.”
GEEK THEATER REVIEW — PART 8: THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF LONG TERM MEMORY
http://surrealtimepress.com/2015/04/13/geek-theater-review-part-8-the-long-and-the-short-of-long-term-memory/
The Long and the Short of Long Term Memory by Cecil Castellucci
“I feel like the tremendous little piece of stagecraft with the hand raising sells the whole thing.”
GEEK THEATER REVIEW — PART 9: GEEK!
http://surrealtimepress.com/2015/04/21/geek-theater-review-part-9-geek/
GEEK! By Crystal Skillman
“There’s a good chance you’ll be won over before you even get to the actual script for Crystal Skillman’s play GEEK!”
~
Links to each new review will be posted here.
