SHORT PLAY
Comedy
Comedy
Even superheroes need a break, especially when they're sisters. In this comedy, Maria and Dominique battle over what's next after a hiatus from saving the world leaves one sister feeling fulfilled and the other frustrated.
CHARACTER INFORMATION
Maria - Female, age 60s, has the power of super strength
Dominique - Female, age 60s, has the power of invisibility.
Dominique - Female, age 60s, has the power of invisibility.
THEMES
superheroes, sisters, aging, sense of purpose
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
FAVORITE COMEDIC PLAY
(The Hive Collaborative, UT - 2020)
FINALIST
(The Funhouse Family, WA - 2020)
SEMI-FINALIST
(MadLab, OH - 2022)
(The Hive Collaborative, UT - 2020)
FINALIST
(The Funhouse Family, WA - 2020)
SEMI-FINALIST
(MadLab, OH - 2022)
REVIEWS & RECOMMENDATIONS
“What a joy this play is: funny, acerbic, wise, and kind, with terrific roles for older actresses as a pair of aging superheroes. A delightful staging conceit lends theatricality and physical comedy to a story that explores what being special means, how one's purpose can change over time, and what gifts we have to contribute to the world that we may sometimes overlook. We may not all be super-powered like Maria and Dominique, but their sibling dynamics are super-relatable and very human.”
(Vince Gatton)
(Vince Gatton)
“What a wonderful window into the world of the aging superhero! Mabey gives us a completely new perspective in the toll that the burden of "saving the world" can take on us and our closest relationships. Both characters are relatable and authentic (despite their amazing abilities!) and the sibling dynamic is rich, fertile ground for conflict. And amazing roles for mature performers! Produce this piece ASAP!”
(Emily McClain)
(Emily McClain)
“Mabey has created a heartwarming family story, a meditation on aging, a superhero fantasy, and a quirky comedy all rolled into one. The Sensational Sisters offers radiant roles for aging actresses, loads of laughs, and a terrific tale for audiences of all ages.”
(Ken Preuss)
(Ken Preuss)
“I love this play! Every time we see superheroes, they're always young and not relatable, but these sisters struggle with the same need to belong, impostor syndrome and desire to be known for more than just one thing,(ie strength or invisibility in this case) as we all. What great roles for older actresses to tackle! What a gift for an evening of theatre!”
(Jacquelyn Floyd-Priskorn)
(Jacquelyn Floyd-Priskorn)
“Heartwarming and lovely. A human look at a super sibling relationship where deeper insecurities are revealed. A wonderful play for seasoned female actors with a great message: the future is still a promise of hope and new things to look forward to.”
(Gretchen Suarez-Pena)
(Gretchen Suarez-Pena)
“An unusual take on superheroes and responsibility from the rarely-seen geriatric point of view. Less dark and gritty, more “been around the block.” The relationship between these two superheroine siblings feels natural and loving, despite their differences.”
(DC Cathro)
(DC Cathro)
"John's writing always gets to the heart of the matter. In this play, he writes of strong women (a good subject for today) and their superpowers. While these sisters are technically, Marvel-type superpowers, one can't help but think that the story also makes superpowers of all women and anyone willing to make a difference in the world. The story truly is sensational, simply staged, with great roles for older actors.”
(Bruce Karp)
(Bruce Karp)
"John Mabey has done a wonderful job capturing the bond between Dominique and Maria, two aging superhero sisters, in this sweet short play. I loved this premise, these characters, and their universal story, from page one. THE SENSATIONAL SISTERS is another winner for Mabey.”
(Enid Cokinos)
“Mature female actors will greatly enjoy playing Dominique and Maria -- The Sensational Sisters superhero duo.
I love that the play focuses on the human side of these heroes. There's just enough action and superhero style in the script, but John Mabey provides another satisfying layer with sincere and heartfelt explorations of sibling rivalry and of varying degrees of contentedness while growing older.”
(Steven G. Martin)
“Two superhero sisters, both seniors, take a break from leaping tall buildings in a single bound. One tries to cajole the other into returning to what they do best. But her counterpart resists. While they argue, they learn how they feel about each other and each other's gifts. By play's end, they start to collaborate in a new and surprising way."
(Susan Middaugh)
(Enid Cokinos)
“Mature female actors will greatly enjoy playing Dominique and Maria -- The Sensational Sisters superhero duo.
I love that the play focuses on the human side of these heroes. There's just enough action and superhero style in the script, but John Mabey provides another satisfying layer with sincere and heartfelt explorations of sibling rivalry and of varying degrees of contentedness while growing older.”
(Steven G. Martin)
“Two superhero sisters, both seniors, take a break from leaping tall buildings in a single bound. One tries to cajole the other into returning to what they do best. But her counterpart resists. While they argue, they learn how they feel about each other and each other's gifts. By play's end, they start to collaborate in a new and surprising way."
(Susan Middaugh)
READINGS & WORKSHOPS
Merely Players Presents, GA - 2020
Alliance Theatre Workshop, GA - 2020
Alliance Theatre Workshop, GA - 2020
PRODUCTIONS
The Open Eye Theater, NY - 2024
Main Street Players Theatre, FL - 2023
Central Gwinnett High School, GA - 2021
Foothills Arts Players, NY - 2021
Main Street Players Theatre, FL - 2023
Central Gwinnett High School, GA - 2021
Foothills Arts Players, NY - 2021
2nd Act Players, IL - 2020
The Hive Collaborative, UT - 2020
VIDEO CLIP - PLAY SELECTION
VIDEO CLIP - RADIO SHOW PROMOTION
IMAGES
The Hive Collaborative
The Hive Collaborative
2nd Act Players
2nd Act Players
2nd Act Players
2nd Act Players
Foothills Arts
