Recommended by Conor McShane

A crackling take on the age-old debate between science and religion, and whether the two can be compatible with one another, written in precise, slightly elevated language. I was fascinated by the notion that a universe without the Earth at its center forces us to confront our own insignificance in the cosmos, and how that conflicts with the central idea that we are creations of a perfect and loving God.

Cathro is so good at taking an absurd-sounding logline and turning it into something raw, real, and deeply human. Itch is an empathetic exploration of the toll that caring for a sick family member can take on the people around them, with well-rounded characters whose flaws all make sense in the context of what they've been through together.

A delightfully loony piece of meta-theatre that repurposes American myths into something strange, funny, unpredictable, and contemporary.

A beautifully theatrical exploration of mother/daughter generational divides, set during a time of great upheaval in the Philippines, when the younger generation began to envision a different life than their forbears, not so burdened by traditional values. It's a story that's at once universal and highly specific, and I loved all the details that root us in a particular time, place, and culture.

A delightfully demented romp that manages to turn into something genuinely sweet and heartwarming. Not every play about killer sock monkeys can say that!

I loved the heightened satirical tone of this play, the way it seems to exist just outside of our reality. Reyes does a great job of satirizing the egg freezing industry and its less savory side as a cash grab that preys on vulnerable women under the guise of "have it all" feminism. At the same time, the play acknowledges that these sorts of treatments do serve a purpose and give women more control over their lives and their reproduction. Egg-cellent stuff (sorry I couldn't help it please forgive me).

A tense, funny, nerve jangling experience. Kenney expertly holds back the truth between these women, teasing it out deliberately until the big reveal. The play thoughtfully explores intergenerational conflict and the struggle to hold onto one's roots and culture faced by many children of immigrants, shot through with Filipino legend and lore.

An overlooked period of history is illuminated in spectacular fashion in BUFFALO'ED, but this is no dry history lesson--it's a gutting reminder of the inherent irony of the "land of the free" imposing its will on other cultures, and of the people forced to do that dirty work in the name of freedom.

A tough and beautiful play that moves with a quiet, mournful power. It deftly captures the confusion and uncertainty of grief and the secrets we keep even from those closest to us, but finds hope and healing in the bonds of family.

A subtle and moving look at life in a town whose principal industry is death, populated with distinct and memorable characters. McCullough's play doesn't offer any easy resolutions, but shows that life goes on even amid the gloom. A lovely and sensitively rendered work.