Books by Oren Safdie

"Oren Safdie's GRATITUDE is an unflinchingly dark (and darkly funny) exploration of sexual power-play... [He] is clearly not a playwright to gingerly approach controversial issues... The provocations in the play are very much in line with those of Neil LaBute at his most caustic... You might have some strong post-show words for Safdie. What you won't be able to say is that he doesn't know how to put together a bracingly provocative and ferociously entertaining 75 minutes of theatre."Jim Burke, Montreal Gazette "The 75-minute play begins rather innocently, but dissolves into so much sexual tension and human desperation with a great deal of simplicity and humour. The acting is riveting, and brings out issues that teens handle amongst themselves within the sanctity of a private school with a great deal of force and authenticity." Stuart Nulman, Montreal Times "GRATITUDE offers a topical look at high school lust and longing.... The scenes are well-paced, engaging, funny." Rhiannon Collett , The Globe and Mail "Montreal-born playwright Oren Safdie has hit the proverbial ball out of the court with his new play GRATITUDE. Safdie's play captures youthful stirrings with all their passions and insecurities to devastating effect. GRATITUDE is a brave, provocative story exploring the realities around sex, love, consent, duty, gender roles and rebellion." Mike Cohen, The Suburban

CHECKS & BALANCES tells the story of a young music student who comes to New York to attend a prestigious music conservatory and gets a part-time bookkeeping job with the founder, a woman well into her 80s who appears to be losing her memory. Upon inspection of her finances, he uncovers numerous checks written to the maid, which lead him on a journey of unexpected twists and turns that in the end challenge his own values and ethics. The play explores issues regarding immigration (both legal and illegal), class, privilege, the definition of family, as well as how society chooses to deal with its aged. "Any great comedy should make you think. And make no mistake, Oren Safdie's CHECKS AND BALANCES, is a great comedy. It's the kind that makes you laugh honestly but guiltily at all the ways life is unfair; how the best intentions can end in ruin; and how sometimes the truth does anything but set you free."The Source, Northwest Arkansas "The story itself is thought provoking, with subtle undertones that challenge societal ideas of family, the elderly and entitlement. These undertones, in combination with Safdie's sophisticated yet clever dialogue, make the show simply spectacular… The characters evolve beautifully on stage." City Wire, NWA