Playwright
Playwright
DG Member
IMBROGLIO
1970. Two couples--best friends living next door to each other--try to navigate friendship and marriage. However, when Herman finds himself in more trouble than he can handle, allegiances are formed and boundaries crossed. While some aid and abet, others ignore and deny. To quote Lou from the play: "Quickest way to lose friends: offer them help they don’t want.” What are our obligations to each other? How does one help someone who doesn’t want to be helped? And is it even possible to help someone who doesn’t know they need it? As the title itself suggests: it's an extremely confusing, complicated situation.
Productions
World PremiereGreat River Shakespeare FestivalWorld Premiere
Awards
10 BroadwayWorld Award nominations!
Best New Play Or Musical: IMBROGLIO - Great River Shakespeare Festival
Best Play: IMBROGLIO - Great River Shakespeare Festival
Best Direction Of A Play: Melissa Maxwell
Best Costume Design Of A Play Or Musical: John Merritt
Best Ensemble: IMBROGLIO - Great River Shakespeare Festival
Best Performer In A Play: Chauncy Thomas
Best Performer In A Play: Ashley Bowen
Best Supporting Performer In A Play: William Sturdivant
Best Scenic Design Of A Play Or Musical: Ivy
Reviews:
"Playwriting this good desemany years. The time spent was well worth the effort: Imbroglio is a terrific play that holds the audience spellbound from its jocular opening scene to its devastating conclusion. . . . Imbroglio is a play that gives audiences grist for conversations. . . . Best of all, it is a crackling, snapping good story, expertly meted out over two acts, and given a sterling production by Great River Shakespeare Festival. I feel certain that somehow, Imbroglio is destined to have a future life. Hopefully, it will appear somewhere you can see it, but if you are within range of Winona, a charming town on the banks of the Mississippi, I suggest you seize the moment and see it this season.
--Talkin' Broadway
"I just saw the original play “Imbroglio” by playwright Melissa Maxwell last week as part of the Shakespeare festival. I am so impressed by the quality and genius of the play itself and the superb performances of the entire company. The stage setting is so realistic and intimate; the actors so genuine, vibrant, and powerful; the scene changes and action so clever and on point. The subject so poignant that I was completely stunned and stimulated at the same time. The play is brilliant; it brings the Broadway scene right to our doorstep!"
--WINONA POST, Letter to the Editor
SALT IN A WOUND
A mother-daughter drama that starts in the early 1900s and spans the lifetime of two women. Julia is young, beautiful, talented, and has dreams of becoming a dancer. However, she is born in a time when women's roles are clearly defined by society, and Ma's dreams for Julia don't mesh with the dreams that Julia has for herself. Being no match for Ma's iron-fist rule, Julia obediently follows Ma's wishes. However, she soon learns the consequences of allowing someone else to live your life for you.
Productions
Awards
UNREQUITED LOVE
Written in a series of vignettes and monologues, this comedy takes a serious look at why black men and women have such a hard time loving each other and themselves.
Productions
Awards
Published
FETUS ENVY
Set in the "not-too-distant future," this was supposed to be a cautionary tale of where we were headed if we continued to allow ambitious politicians and faceless bureaucrats to politicize and criminalize women's healthcare. Unfortunately, the future is here.
Productions
Published
FETUS ENVY, the film
Awards
(drama; full length; two acts; unit set; 3M, 2W)
1970. Two couples--best friends living next door to each other--try to navigate friendship and marriage. However, when Herman finds himself in more trouble than he can handle, allegiances are formed and boundaries crossed. While some aid and abet, others ignore and deny. To quote Lou from the play: "Quickest way to lose friends: offer them help they don’t want.” What are our obligations to each other? How does one help someone who doesn’t want to be helped? And is it even possible to help someone who doesn’t know they need it? As the title itself suggests: it's an extremely confusing, complicated situation.
Great River Shakespeare Festival, 2023 season
World Premiere production
10 BroadwayWorld Award nominations!
Best New Play Or Musical:
IMBROGLIO - Great River Shakespeare Festival
Best Play:
IMBROGLIO - Great River Shakespeare Festival
Best Direction Of A Play:
Melissa Maxwell
Best Costume Design Of A Play Or Musical:
John Merritt
Best Ensemble:
IMBROGLIO - Great River Shakespeare Festival
Best Performer In A Play:
Chauncy Thomas
Best Performer In A Play:
Ashley Bowen
Best Supporting Performer In A Play: William Sturdivant
Best Scenic Design Of A Play Or Musical:
Ivy Treccani
Best Sound Design Of A Play Or Musical:
Scott O'Brien
"Playwriting this good deserves our attention. . . . Maxwell has stated that the play has been incubating for many years. The time spent was well worth the effort: Imbroglio is a terrific play that holds the audience spellbound from its jocular opening scene to its devastating conclusion. . . . Imbroglio is a play that gives audiences grist for conversations. . . . Best of all, it is a crackling, snapping good story, expertly meted out over two acts, and given a sterling production by Great River Shakespeare Festival. I feel certain that somehow, Imbroglio is destined to have a future life. Hopefully, it will appear somewhere you can see it, but if you are within range of Winona, a charming town on the banks of the Mississippi, I suggest you seize the moment and see it this season.
"I just saw the original play “Imbroglio” by playwright Melissa Maxwell last week as part of the Shakespeare festival. I am so impressed by the quality and genius of the play itself and the superb performances of the entire company. The stage setting is so realistic and intimate; the actors so genuine, vibrant, and powerful; the scene changes and action so clever and on point. The subject so poignant that I was completely stunned and stimulated at the same time. The play is brilliant; it brings the Broadway scene right to our doorstep!"
(drama; full length; two acts; 3M, 4W)
A mother-daughter drama that starts in the early 1900s and spans the lifetime of two women. Julia is young, beautiful, talented, and has dreams of becoming a dancer. However, she is born in a time when women's roles are clearly defined by society, and Ma's dreams for Julia don't mesh with the dreams that Julia has for herself. Being no match for Ma's iron-fist rule, Julia obediently follows Ma's wishes. However, she soon learns the consequences of allowing someone else to live your life for you.
eta Creative Arts Foundation, Chicago
5 Black Theater Alliance Award nominations, including
‘Best Play’ and ‘Best Writer’
The African American Arts Alliance of Chicago nomination: ‘Production of the Year’
Julie Harris Playwright Competition
finalist
(comedy; full length without intermission; 3M, 3W)
Written in a series of vignettes and monologues, this comedy takes a serious look at why black men and women have such a hard time loving each other and themselves.
ACTNow Foundations, New York City
New Perspectives Theatre Company, New York City
AUDELCO Award nomination
- New Perspectives Theatre Company production
New Professional Theatre’s Our Words Award Winner: "Excellence in Playwriting”
Lulu Press
(satire; one act; 5M, 2W)
Set in the "not-too-distant future," this was supposed to be a cautionary tale of where we were headed if we continued to allow ambitious politicians and faceless bureaucrats to politicize and criminalize women's healthcare. Unfortunately, the future is here.
Manhattan Theatre Source’s Estrogenius Festival, NYC
International Fringe Festival, New York City
EstroGenius anthology, 2007
AAPEX Filmmaker Award Winner, 2012
