MICHAEL WEEMS

"Prize Fight, by Michael Weems, presents us with a female boxer, her trainer, and a rival boxer. What makes the play work is the complexity of the relationship between the trainer and the boxer, which is skillfully revealed. When we think we understand it, we learn more. It contains truthful surprise, a dramatic device well used." - Steve Capra.   New York Critic.​

http://newyorktheatre.blogspot.com/2017/02/schreiber-shorts-2017.html?m=1

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GIVE TAKE

 

"GIVE TAKE is actually a fun comedy about divorce. That's a rare animal for sure! It does navigate the terribly dark waters of the human soul in marital crisis quite nimbly thanks to a cast that's up to the challenge to make it funny. Everyone in the show has a strong comic bit, and the script affords this for each of them. Debra Schultz directs everything at a whiz bang pace that is appreciated given the length of the show. Sets are sparse and effective, and the crew flips in and out of scenes nimbly with help from the ensemble. It's nice to see Cone Man Running giving voice to new artists and writers. They should be proud this one has been given life and taken care of by an exceptional ensemble." - Brett Cullum - Broadwayworld Houston

 

Go to the full review by clicking here.

 

"Give/Take can be hard to watch at times. Dennis is clearly not of the right mind for most of the play. Watching him spiral out of control while his uncle begs for him to get help tugs at the heart strings. His disastrous dates, while amusing, frame just how desperate he is to show up his ex-wife at the expense of his dates. The play does bring out multiple emotions, it flips between comedy and drama at will. While it does not go as far to become a tragedy, it gets close at times. The strong cast does make you feel for them, which makes the play work."  - H.G. Welch - Red Publication

 

 

OKAY BETTER BEST

 

"Michael Weems' script for OKAY BETTER BEST is inspiringly realistic, creating characters that appear to have been plucked from any New York City bar and placed on stage for us to watch. Their actions are relatable, plausible even. The dialogue is fresh and contemporary, which makes the characters all the more appealing and pragmatic. In the first act, he cleverly builds and drops momentum so that each character's arc and individual plot is clearly established and explored. The second act moves with a steady and completely intriguing pace and expertly resolves every element introduced in the first act."

- David Clarke, Houston Broadway World

 

LAUGH RIOT

 

"Laugh Riot by Michael Weems explores one woman's need for humor as foreplay, and includes a dumb blond joke that is totally resistible, but you may catch me telling it. It is well-acted by Michael P. Shukis and Lee Anne Denny, who has considerable beauty and charm, but could improve her vocal projection. It is ably directed by Christine Weems."  - Jim Tommaney Houston Press 2013.

 

P OR V

 

"A sucker for romantic comedy, Michael Weems' P OR V was hands down my favorite piece of the night. With just one night to write 13 pages, his scripting was incredibly polished and tight. Direction by Aimee Small guaranteed that the piece never lagged. Likewise, playing a temper-tantrum prone spoiled daddy's girl Miatta Lebile was hysterical. Opposite her was Ruth McCleskey's low key and sexually confused bisexual woman who just wants a simple wedding ceremony with the woman she loves. The final element was John Carraro's long suffering and lonely best friend, who made a pact to marry Ruth McCleskey's character. Each element of this show worked well, and left me wheezing for breath as I laughed heartily." - David Clarke - Houston Broadway World.

 

"Especially strong was the opening offering, "P or V", by Michael Weems, as two lesbians, played by the talented Miatta Lebile and Ruth McCleskey, are planning their wedding when one gets a most unexpected offer. The director who brought this engaging play to jubilant life was Aimee Small." - Jim Tommaney - Houston Press

 

SNIP

 

"Snip by Michael Weems of Spring, Texas. Block 2 ends with a simple domestic sitcom. Derek Woerpel plays a man somewhat immobilized on a couch. Ellen Dunphy plays his wife, who comes home to slowly discover the nature of his illness. Dunphy and  Woerpel are fun as husband and wife in a light, inconsequential bit of comedy that would be perfectly at home in any domestic sitcom. A nice, comfortable way to exit the theatre for Block 2." - Russ Bickerstaff - Express Milwaukee

 

FEELING ALLRIGHT 

 

"Michael Weems has a great ear and talent for crafting believable and interesting dialogue.  He is also wonderfully adept at creating a romantic comedy plot that feels original and freed from the cliches of the genre.  Reflecting on the book, my only wish is that it hadn't resolved the main conflict by the end of the first act so that the audience would have more of this great and dynamic writing to enjoy."

- David Clarke, Houston Broadway World

 

FEELIN ALLRIGHT (2014 production)

 

"FEELING ALRIGHT! is a fun musical revue that leaves audiences feeling better than alright. By the end of the show, there is no way you won't feel great! Sometimes it is nice to take a break from the challenging dramas happening around town and just enjoy yourself. If that is what you're looking for, FEELING ALRIGHT! is sure to leave you smiling from ear to ear and dancing in your seat (or even on the stage if you're one of the ones picked from the audience by the cast to participate in the show). 

 - David Clarke - Houston Broadway World.

 

"THIS is immersion theater, maybe in its simplest, purest form. The audience is told that it can sit back in their seats or get up and mingle or dance as they please during the show.  The front row has seated people who want to be asked into the scene at various points, but the show is blocked as a reunion where the audience can decide to participate or not at any time.  No coercion, just the opportunity to get on stage during a musical and feel comfortable and a part of the show.  The show would probably live best if 20 or more audience members were up and dancing from the middle of the beginning of the first act onward. This Feelin Alright show is FUN!  Please don't interpret this paragraph to mean that any audience member is going to be embarrassed.  What I thought was essential and great about the show is that the cast is well equipped and prepared to mix with the audience members who want to have fun without losing control or losing the plot of the play.  Simple but difficult to achieve: friendly comeliness without intimidation.  Fun, fun, fun."

- thehoustoncritic.com