Hearing Voices: 15 Short Plays by a Psychotherapist

Paul Surace's first book of short plays, "Hearing Voices- 15 Short Plays by a Psychotherapist," is an exquisite blend of drama, comedy, and dramedy. The plays offer roles to actors from their mid-twenties through their late fifties and is rife with powerful monologues, both comic and dramatic. Indeed, Surace breaks down his book into four sections dealing with: Family, Friendship, Love, and Redemption. Also, he provides short, therapeutic introductions to begin each section, and a small picture section of photographs that were taken during various productions of these plays. While the author stays "hopeful" in his stories, he also delves deep into the messy, painful, realness of humanity. His characters struggle and stumble their way through the darkness of grief, depression, and suicidality ("Grave Knowledge" and "The Misery of Hope", disappointed dreams ("Glory Days" and "Waiting for Buscemi's Call"), dysfunctional and wounding family histories ("Central Park Wedding", "Father's Day" and "Saying Good-bye"), cultural divides that bring judgment ("The Last Call"), break-ups involving close friends and family ("Boys in the Band" and "Fakebook Friends"), conflicted lovers ("Finding Faith" and "Toda La Noche"), and the pain, fear and sadness that comes from impending loss of beloved pets ("Saving Par"), eyesight ("Blind-Sight"), and "virility" due to aging ("One Night in Elvis"). These are some of the road blocks and obstacles that play out in the lives and relationships of these characters. It's weighty stuff but handled deftly through the eyes of a seasoned therapist who brings a healing, humorous, and graceful tone to the challenging situations that have these characters feeling confused, conflicted, and searching for solutions and acceptance of what is. There is a world view expressed here, teaching us that failures are not fatal, but instead can be redemptive and enlightening. And in that sense, these fifteen short plays may well serve as a primer for how each one of us can "fail forward" in order to achieve a happier and healthier life.