Unusual Stories, Unusually Told - Seven Contemporary American Plays

Unusual Stories, Unusually Told celebrates some of the boldest contemporary American voices with seven plays from Clubbed Thumb's Summerworks

Spanning 2001 to 2019 and accompanied by artist interviews and reflections on the work, this anthology presents a vital survey of formally inventive 21st century playwriting, and is a perfect collection for study and performance

The Collection includes ...

U.S. Drag by Gina Gionfriddo - A serial killer named Ed stalks the city, luring his victims by asking for help. To protect themselves, a group of New Yorkers form SAFE, “Stay Away From Ed.” The first rule: don't help anyone. It's a matter of urban survival

Slavey by Sigrid Gilmer - Robert and Nora, a couple on the rise, get a big promotion, a bigger house, and a brand new slave

Dot by Kate E. Ryan - Old Dot and the weird kid from the neighborhood become friends. Set in that kind of Florida town that makes you wonder - is this TV, a book, or maybe even a cabaret?

Baby Screams Miracle by Clare Barron - A freak storm knocks down all the trees in town and a prodigal daughter is taught a new way to pray. But the weird weather's not over yet

Men on Boats by Jaclyn Backhaus - Ten explorers. Four boats. One Grand Canyon. Men On Boats is the true(ish) history of an 1869 expedition, when a one-armed captain and a crew of insane yet loyal volunteers set out to chart the course of the Colorado River

Of Government by Agnes Borinsky - The adventures of Barb the Teacher, Deb the Seeker, Heidi the Helper, Tawny the Addict and a host of others. With songs! Presented by Miss Marjorie Blain, her students, and members of the community. Light refreshments will be provided

Plano by Will Arbery - Tonight, and later, and earlier, three sisters (no, not those ones) are stricken with a series of strange plagues. Let's talk about family nightmares. I mean, uh, memories

REVIEWS

I've discovered so many of my favorite playwrights thanks to Clubbed Thumb, and I keep going back to their shows because I want to know who the most exciting new artists are. Theater in this country would be much less interesting without Clubbed Thumb.” ~ Heidi Schreck, writer and star of What the Constitution Means to Me

“To your cherished list of warm-weather city pleasures, you should think about adding Summerworks. Now 23 years old, this staple of the East Village culturescape … allows you to say you knew certain rising playwrights before your friends did.” ~ Ben Brantley, New York Times