A dark tale with comedy around the edges, Shook follows three teenagers in a young offender’s institution. Not only are they required to repent for their crimes, but the boys are preparing for life on the outside, where each of them will emerge as a new or expectant father. A debut play from rising star Samuel Bailey, Shook was awarded the 2019 Papatango New Writing Prize, beating 1,406 other entries. In a world with no shortage of stories by and about men, Bailey’s debut offers an honesty and tenderness rarely explored. —B.A.