In 2022, Taylor Mac’s Socrates-inspired jazz opera The Hang premiered in New York City, garnering two Obie Awards and Drama Desk and Drama League nominations for Best Musical. In 2025, Mac and the original cast released an album of the show’s soundtrack. And now, The Hang is getting another iteration: a published script, courtesy of Theatre Communications Group.
For anyone besides “theater people,” the concept of reading a play for fun might seem foreign—and even some theater fans may let their hobby start and end with the rise and fall of a curtain. But for those who like to read, plays have plenty to offer as literature. They’re just as thematically rich as any novel.
Because they’re written for the stage, plays can often be read in a single sitting. Whether you’ve seen a play or are picking up a script you’ve never heard of before, being privy to details like stage directions and exact dialogue provides entirely new insights into any work of theater.
As Broadway ticket prices continue to climb, published scripts also make theater accessible to anyone who can’t see performances in person. Some of the hottest plays of the past year, including Prince Faggot, John Proctor Is The Villain, and Marjorie Prime—all of which received five-star reviews from us here at 1 Minute Critic—have published versions. Reading a play may not be the same as watching it, but for any shows you can’t catch yourself, it’s certainly the next best thing.
Where to start reading plays
Looking to pick up a play yourself? New York City locals should swing by the Drama Book Shop, which offers a massive selection of theatrical works, plus delicious coffee to drink while you read your new purchases. (If you’re overwhelmed by options, its staff picks section is always a great place to start.)
Chicagoans should check out The Understudy, another cafe-bookstore crossover with vibes as fabulous as its catalog. Both stores also offer online shopping for out-of-towners, with shipping across North America.
And if you want to stay on the couch but still support a local bookstore, consider bookshop.org as an Amazon alternative for online ordering.
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Editor’s note: Featured image was created using AI.
