Scissoring

by Christina Quintana

THE STORY: When Abigail Bauer takes a job as a teacher at a conservative Catholic school, she is forced to step back into the closet against the wishes of her long-term girlfriend. As she struggles to reconcile her professional ambitions, personal relationships, religious beliefs, and internalized shame, Abigail receives guidance from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Eleanor’s devoted friend and lover, Lorena Hickok. Through it all, Abigail must find the courage to be unabashedly herself.

Genres: Plays

74 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[Audrey Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty good but not memorable to me. i think i would like it if i watched it. sara i know you're reading this and i think you might like this play just bc it has catholics and lesbians, which is everything that makes you who you are

[Ana Camastro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really, really liked this play. It was frustrating in the best of ways. The characters felt so real and, even when they were being infuriating (especially Abigail), my heart went out to them. I loved that the cast is mostly BIPOC women and that it shows the different struggles with sexuality and finding who one is and embracing that. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the loudspeaker - it felt gimmicky and annoying. But I really recommend this play. It's so good.

[Katelen · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Scissoring" is a mostly grounded in reality story about a woman who is forced to go back in the closet after getting a teaching job at a Catholic school. The surreal elements come into play with the living PA system and the periodic arrival of Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok when Abigail, the main character, starts cracking from the pressure of her double life. This element was handled rather well and exactly as you would expect - she is the only one who can see/hear them, and these sections don't carry on for so long that you get confused why the other people are waiting in silence as the hallucinations talk.

The character's develop wonderfully throughout the story but it feels like it falls somewhat into cliche tropes - it makes sense within the story but reading it I started expecting exactly what was going to happen with accuracy.

It was still worth the read however and was very entertaining! Absolutely fantastic!

[Catherine S · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this play more. The writing started out at a good clip, and I really liked Abigail, but it felt like the show didn't really know what it wanted to be. I felt like the addition of Elinor and Lorena didn't add very much, and neither did the PA system interludes (though I found those more interesting). Maybe it would be better to see in person? But I feel it would be even more out of place when happening on stage.

[Lehcar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone heard my favorite modern play is The Children’s Hour and recommended me this play. Needless to say I was clocked. Catholic girl rage is truly nothing to mess with.

[Möwgli Skräp · Rating 3 out of 5]

the surrealism was fun and worked for me

[mickey m · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved so very much