I remember thoroughly enjoying this live. Although the theme gets a bit repetitive, it's a good one. ( )

Ives' "Sure Thing" stands out in my memory as one of my favorite one-act performances of all time even though it was probably one of the first one-acts I ever saw performed--and, while much of that outstanding performance should be attributed to the fantastic timing and acting involved that day, much of the credit also goes to Ives' outstanding writing. That one-act, though, is only one of the fourteen plays collected here, and all of them are masterful examples of Ives' clever and funny writing.

Many of these pieces, like "Sure Thing", will only be at their best with perfect timing and the laughter of a live audience, but the smart writing and small casts make these more translatable to a reading experience than one might expect. Each one is unique, fun, and resounding with Ives' signature humor and word and timing play. The one long play included here, Ancient History, is also a perfect blend of drama and humor, with just enough crossed lines.

All together, Ives is a dramatic wonder, and this collection is utterly wonderful. Highly recommended. ( )

All the plays are pretty funny. I laughed a lot when I saw The Universal Language (I speak Johncleese, myself) and the Death of Trotsky -- variations, that is.

Sure Thing - 1m 1f
Words, Words, Words - 2m 1f
The Universal Language - 2m 1f
Variations on the Death of Trotsky - 2m 1f
The Philadelphia - 2m 1f
Long Ago and Far Away - 2m 2f
Foreplay, or The Art of the Fugue - 3m 3f
Seven Menus - 4m 4f
Mere Mortals - 3m
English Made Simple - 1m 1f 1 voice
A Singular Kinda Guy - 1m
Speed-the-Play - 12m 3f 1 emcee
Ancient History - 1m 1f
Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread - 2m 2f