Do You Feel Anger?

by Mara Nelson-Greenberg

Sofia was recently hired as an empathy coach at a debt collection agency—and clearly, she has her work cut out for her. These employees can barely identify what an emotion is, much less practice deep, radical compassion for others. And while they painstakingly stumble towards enlightenment, someone keeps mugging Eva in the kitchen. An outrageous comedy about the absurdity—and the danger—of a world where some people’s feelings matter more than others’.

Mara Nelson-Greenberg's dazzling dark comedy reminds us that change is not always easy, and may come with unexpected costs.

Genres: Plays, Theatre, Fiction, Feminism

Unknown Binding

Published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[emmamarymargaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read through with a friend and very special to me bc of that :)

[Tiger Tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

in love and i didn't even finish the play yet
reading this feels like like when men quote a self help book and act like it's the most profound thing they've ever read, when really it's just describing empathy

the part where Jon - a man in his late-40's - calls his female coworker to ask what a period is and then proceeds to question her "sources on the subject" and then is so horrified by what she tells him that he still manages to make it about himself -- 10/10

loses one star for me because play genre is classified as "absurd" but it's actually hyper-realistic and unexaggerated depiction of what it's like communicating with men

[Tori Dillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

i think this might be one of the best plays i’ve ever read

[Chayse Seaburg · Rating 2 out of 5]

i felt anger reading this.

[Summer]

men take up so much space in our lives it's almost unbearable sometimes

thank you katie <3

[Zoe Straub · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose this play to read for my Freshman year Intro to Acting class and it stuck with me big time. Super cool psychological mind bender at the end that was equally confusing and satisfying.

[nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ummmm probably better seen onstage than read.. kind of corny but overall i see what she was trying to do

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant and hilarious, i laughed out loud several times. made me wanna watch it live so badly.

the absurdist humor is actually refreshing. i rooted for eva the whole time and i love how complex her character is. a great commentary on how men dominate more than just the workplace. that being said, it’s a great reminder for women to advocate for other women…and a sad reminder that women often have to protect themselves from men in very nuanced and inauthentic ways.

incorporating sofia’s situation with her parents was a really great choice. there are so many themes to talk about in this play.

i can see why some people wouldn’t like this play because it can be jarring. but i think that was part of the appeal for me; just the right amount of disturbing.

i loved it and want to read again

[Shirley Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surreal and not my usual type of play however it is very quirky and clever and so I enjoyed most of it. I found it disturbing which I suspect is the aim. Although an exaggeration it does reflect life and the challenges that can be faced in the workplace by one person's banter being another's bullying.
Just a joke is received as pain and poison by another. This would certainly provoke discussion when staged.
I wasn't sure about the deliberate mispronounced words - someone else will need to explain the relevance - but to watch the capitulation evolve under pressure from peers and "management" was excrutiating.

[Lauren Mural · Rating 3 out of 5]

it made me ill. i was furious. it captured what it feels like to try and try and never get anywhere because of the way men have created society and the toxic fumes it spills into women’s lives (and bathrooms). i felt too passionately about it and as great a tribute to the great Taylor Swift’s “The Man” as it was in my mind, it still felt blurry and unclear sometimes. Perhaps seeing it onstage would help.

[Grace Whitten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both too much and not enough for me. I did not feel horn. Relatable and upsetting and overwhelming, all intentions by the author i suspect. I have told many a men I’ve had a boyfriend. Or I’m a lesbian. Or I’m a psychopath. None were a deterrent. It really is this way. I struggled to see huge points being made

[Amy Pilgrim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This play presents a hilarious commentary on tackling mental health with those whom do not want to do so. When you read this show, images of people you know will pop into your head… for better, for worse.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny workplace comedy about toxic masculinity with a totally distinctive, hilarious lexicon of bro-speak. "Is empathy a bird?" No, no it is not.

[Mikey Boyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

WILD book. The premise was hilarious and the writing was off the wall bonkers. The end was. Wild to say the least.

[John Perine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Read for Directing seminar. Honestly made me physically ill (so yes, I DO feel anger). That’s the point, though. Stylistically not my cup of tea, though.

[Kellyn Toomre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never really hooked me and I couldn’t follow what the ending meant/what I supposed to get out of it

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The impact of toxic masculinity, particularly on workplace culture, shines through in this biting satire. I dropped my jaw a few times while reading.

[Eliana Lazzara · Rating 4 out of 5]

i can only describe this play as being the academic version of a man among muppets

[Lenna Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

this writing is genuinely brilliant

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

an absurd little satire about workplace toxicity

[Devon Elizabeth]

Workplace misogyny critique written in the absurdism style of SNL’s “What’s Wrong with this Picture?” sketches

[Sophie - biblisophagist · Rating 4 out of 5]

absurdly darkly hilarious and uncomfy

[Trevor Poli · Rating 5 out of 5]

every single line of this play was funny. i loved it so much. i want to play every male role in this play

[Anyja · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3

the most ham-fisted play in existence but i guess the crashout at the end was worth it.

[Devin Cunagin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like

This shit had me cackling and then gasping

All that in 75 pages is an achievement I loved it

[Reicse O · Rating 4 out of 5]

absurdist theatre my beloved. so off the wall but also everything i was thinking on the inside at the same time

[Alex Chapes · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5⭐️

[gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

oh this made my mad…so incredibly aggravating and absurd omg but a great commentary and great writing.

[Camden Nauroth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silly little play with deep meaning

[Avery Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5
Bold and profound—love me some satire