←Recommendations of ELEVATOR GIRL

The script avoids the easy traps of making the central conversation simple or black and white, instead remaining true to it's characters and getting into a more nuanced and interesting conversation about how we respond to and think about issues surrounding sexual assault. There are no purely good guys and bad guys here, as much as we'd like that to be the case, and the comic book framing brings the difference between that desire and reality into clear focus.

Sure to be a conversation-starter, Elevator Girl is timely and thought-provoking piece. The script plays with the idea of what it means to be a "good guy" or "bad guy" through the lens of the superhero genre, to fascinating effect.

Elevator Girl crackles with truth as Hoke delves fearlessly into timely (and sadly timeless) topics. A defining #MeToo play, this incredible work is smart, funny and just unflinching. Featuring dialogue and pacing that are infused with energy, imminently theatrical settings and stage directions, this play would be a gift to creative teams. One of the most multilayered, thoughtful pieces I’ve read on NPX. I’d love to see this work onstage!

Powerful. Hoke tells a story that grabs you immediately and takes you through more emotional layers than any elevator could, Brava!

An incredibly relevant play for our times. This exploration on revenge, fantasy, and violence is told with natural, honest dialogue that has a perfect flow and a trio of well drawn characters. Hoke's 'Vanessa' goes on an eye opening journey that keeps the reader hooked for the entire play.

An engaging read! Quick-paced, deeply thoughtful, and relevant.

A lot of great and relevant themes are explored in this highly theatrical and deeply disturbing piece: Sexual assault, trauma, the dichotomy of fantasy and reality, etc. The dialogue flows along beautifully, and gives enough hints at what the final reveal to be to keep you reading. It’s also incredibly bold in its discussion of sexual assault of not only women, but men too. Designers will have a field day with this play, and I would be intrigued to see it come to life onstage.

My first foray into a Donna Hoke play, and how thrilled I am to have had the experience! I had the honor of listening to an incredible staged reading of "Elevator Girl" at InProximity Theatre's Project W Festival. This play is courageous, brilliant, hilarious, nuanced, unapologetic, and necessary. Listening, I found myself transported - I could see the production in front of me - this play could be performed everywhere with a raucous reception. I will be keeping my eye on this one - both the author, and the play!

In the stunning ELEVATOR GIRL, Hoke fearlessly takes on more issues than can be counted--rape, consent, body image, "good guys," feminism, misogyny, the patriarchy--but she does it with a feather light touch that later feels like a super-powered punch in the jaw. This is a play that needs to be performed on a REGULAR BASIS for people of all ages, all genders, and all races. ELEVATOR GIRL is the kind of play that will receive a standing ovation everywhere it's performed because audiences won't be able to help it--and then they will discuss it deep into the night.

Donna Hoke’s ELEVATOR GIRL packs a powerful punch. Riffing off the hyper-sexualized world of superhero comics, the play turns that world on its head to reveal the damaging impact of its inherent misogyny. ELEVATOR GIRL’s relatable contemporary characters give the play a light touch while drawing us in for its quietly moving revelations. Witty and poignant, this is a play for today’s #MeToo era.