The Best American Short Plays 1995-1996

This is a superb collection representing a wide range of styles from the naturalistic to the surreal. The best play in the collection is Susan Cinoman's `Fitting Rooms' - a sharp, funny, ultimately poignant look at three groups of women shopping for dresses in a stylish boutique in Philadelphia. The story cuts back and forth between the women in the various fitting rooms until slowly the three stories coalesce into a single dramatic moment. In choosing this simple but revealing location, Cinoman is able to limn a range of women of all classes and ages. The writing is quick and cutting. If you like tv shows like Desperate Housewives or Weeds, this short play is similar but better. It's very funny but goes deeper than those shows do, and tells its story concisely but with far more insight into real human behavior. It's also ideal for any college, high school, or community group as all the characters are female. Cassandra Medley's Dearborn Heights is also an excellent play and highly recommended as well.