S76 - Ashland by Isabel Estelle - 1m, 3w, 1 flexible
After a young woman is unexpectedly diagnosed with a terminal illness and chooses to pursue Death with Dignity, she and her new partner must navigate the beginning and end of their relationship simultaneously. As the young woman's health rapidly declines, her partner and her two siblings grapple with the absurdity and hilarity of death, what it means to be family, and what it takes to let go.
Labels: comedy, contemporary, drama, LGBTQ
posted by Larisa at 9:16 PM
9 Comments:
I enjoyed this script and thought it was an interesting evaluation and look into the rarely discussed/examined topic of assisted suicide/euthanasia. I always think it's great to have more LGBTQ representation. I would give it a "maybe" for S73, depending on which other plays we might prefer. I think this could be good to consider for future seasons if we didn't choose it for next season.
We've read this before in Season Planning. The dialog is very believable and natural. Characters are well developed. Unfortunately, it is sad and predictable. We turned it down the last time because assisted suicide is a very uncomfortable topic for some people especially if they are in healthcare. I say no.
Yes from me. Local playwright and I think with the right director this would be spectacular. Not sure if we should do both it and Endometriosis in the same season since they are both new and by local people, but I think it is a strong piece and should stay on the list.
As I have said before, I think what makes this play a winner is the sibling relationships. It is not about assisted suicide or cancer, it is about siblings and I don't think there are enough plays about strong sibling relationships. It deals with hard topics with humor and complexity.
I can't say this play does anything for me. As had been said, it is predictable. The relationships don't seem to be true to life, or death to me. I think "The Shadow Box" is a better play. No for me.
Agree completely with Larisa. Yes for me in either S73 or S74.
I enjoyed the reading of this script when it was done earlier this year during the Chameleon New Play Festival. It plays very well - I think better than it reads. But it was also a "trigger" play for me, so I am sensitive to the issues that may affect other audience members the way I was affected. Comparing this one to "Shadowbox," I like the fact that this is very much a contemporary script, addressing very current issues. I would much rather we do a new script than the very dated "Shadowbox." I think we should definitely keep this one in the mix.
I like this one better than the part of Shadowbox i have read already. Ashland I thought was a beautiful, play. I love the relationships of the characters, the dignity of the subject matter, the difficulty of it. That said, I don't think audiences are looking for death and dying plays right now. I would prefer putting Peter Pan on her birthday in the next season over either of these two as it covers that saying goodbye situation in what feels more like a hopeful beautiful way.
I'll give this play a yes.
It's not my cup of tea, but I think it would appeal to a broad audience who will find it thought provoking and emotionally powerful. That was the general reaction from the audience that heard it read at Chameleon Theater Circle. Mix that with the fact that the playwright is local, I think it fits. Keep it in the mix.
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