Recommended by Andrew Martineau

I really think that this type of play, one that is highly theatrical but not preachy or trite, can open up helpful discussions for people who feel weighted down with depression and need someone to tell them it will get better, even if that someone is their own voice of reason. I can see this being a strong short play for college students in particular. These discussions are important, and Cole Hunter Dzubak has written a great vehicle to facilitate these much needed conversations.

I was just thinking that I haven’t read many holiday plays set between Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s Eve. Vivian Lermond has dreamt up a wonderful story of new beginnings and shattering tired, old stereotypes, especially those surrounding elderly family members. A refreshing look at this time of year!

I’ve always wanted to meet a famous novelist and start up a conversation about writing, and now I can live vicariously through Kim Ruyle’s charmingly seductive characters. Ruyle always writes funny, naturalistic dialogue and this play is no exception. Who says writers can’t be as interesting as their characters? This would be a fun show to see. Nice work, Kim!

I thoroughly enjoyed this spin on one of the most beloved Christmas movies of all time. Bruce Karp got the tone, humor and message just right, which is quite a Christmas feat! I love the focus on George’s siblings and how bad financial advice does not warrant abandonment, by any means. Clarence is once again a wise and lovable heavenly mentor. Wonderful story, Bruce!

I really loved reading this play, and now I want to see it. It’s so theatrical and magical, with the bartender controlling the customers, who all fall into three basic types of drinkers. The personality swap is a fantastic plot device, and the dialogue is both smart and funny. It’s perfectly timed to start and finish one round of drinks, too! Cheers to Jillian Blevins for a funny, thought-provoking, satisfying play!

This is a fun short play, which I take to be about how asking someone to change in a relationship can backfire and that we should be happy with what we have. It seems that control freaks don’t like each other, especially when they are spawned from those who only have slight tendencies to control the situation and their partner. I like how original this is, and I am sure it would be a lot of fun for both the actors and the audience!

This is a sweet, heartwarming little play about a boy seemingly looking for his grandpa, who is playing Santa. Or is Oliver helping his grandpa find him? I love the originality and warm spirit of this Christmas play, which is hard to find these days. Nice work!

Such hurt and defensiveness in this lovely play that leads perhaps to a glimmer of hope. We experience mistrust of kindness from a stranger and stark desperation. John Medlin has crafted a poetic language of despair with a theatrical sensitivity. There is also smart commentary on patriarchy with the story of a man who learns something from the woman he is attempting to save. Beautiful piece!

Ah, Eros! As humans there is so much we don’t understand about the nature of love, try as we might. I was so intrigued by Jacquelyn Floyd-Priskorn’s take on Cupid, seen here in captivity, and the egocentrism of a man who tries to assert superiority over a creature with a dangerous weapon! It has much to say about the spectrum of love and in such a short space. As a romantic, I am hopeful for Amy’s quest for romance. Wonderful piece!

What is remarkable about this short play is how Marj O’Neill Butler takes a simple conversation about a tattoo between a grandmother and granddaughter and breathes real life into it with unexpected twists and truth-telling along the way. We need more plays like this. I would love to see this performed!