Recommended by Andrew Martineau

I have never thought about a new play reading session as a hostage situation, but it totally worked in my mind as I was reading this. The play is so much more than a series of insight jokes for playwrights or screenwriters. I think every artist or creative person could relate to the sometimes absurd comments by mostly well-meaning writing group members. Alterman also cleverly shows us how superficial praise can be just as useless or damaging to the process as misguided, overly harsh criticism. I would love to see this in a shorts festival or at a writing conference.

I was thinking while I was reading this earnest and heartfelt play that I haven’t read many plays lately that focus on fathers and daughters. So it was very nice to experience one that was not about the teenage daughter’s angst or the father’s fear of her dating for the first time. It reminded me of family scenes from an earlier time, and in a very good way. It is sweet and uplifting.

This is a moving and heartbreaking story about a German man reflecting back on his father’s involvement in World War II and the secrets his father holds within himself and withholds from his son. I imagine the last moment would be incredibly powerful onstage. It felt very relevant when considering how many history teachers in the US right now are being restricted and have less autonomy in teaching their lessons, regardless of the actual facts being presented. This is a strong, dramatic piece.

A fun play that is not about “trick or treat” but rather”trick AND treat” with a genuine, sweet message about free expression and revealing one’s true self. This would be so much fun to stage and design, and would surely be a hit in a Halloween fright fest of short plays!

The beauty of this play lies in the form and structure of the piece that makes it theatrical, like the intricate, surprising rhythms of ragtime music that serves as a metaphor for the twin brothers’ differences despite their intense bond. We are so accustomed to Vietnam War stories told to us cinematically that when we see one onstage, or even read one, we are caught off guard by the subtleties in characterization and minimalism that a theatre piece can provide, especially one as powerful as Williams’ play is. This family drama shows us the turbulence of the times exceedingly well.

This is a play that both Monty Python lovers and politically savvy audiences of a certain ideology will both love, not that those two groups are mutually exclusive! I love the mix of Medieval dialogue and the contemporary issues being skewered here. It is very funny, methinks. The ending is perfect. A very fine addition to any short play festival!

This is a fascinating, enlightening play on several levels. On one level, the psychodrama is therapeutic and gives each woman a glimpse into each other’s psyche and how they might have felt about the relationship when it started to break down. On another level, the actors are able to explore how role-playing can reverse each character’s mindset in illuminating ways. The audience can witness how acting not only entertains us but teaches us. Amazing work!

I have seen and read many stories about memory loss told in in a naturalistic way, but rarely have I experienced a play on the topic that is so theatrical and poetic. The beauty of the language evokes writers such as Thurber and Silverstein, and every prop and image creates a profound, visceral reaction. The ending just shattered me. Simply beautiful.

Velma is the kind of older woman from a particular time and place that can bake a sweet cake, but all the sweetness comes from her recipe and not from her. She seems sweet on the surface, but her prejudices and gossipy banter on the phone reveal a side to her that is shallow and close-minded. I saw a production of Baker’s wonderful monologue online presented by Stage Left Theater, and it was very well done. The monologue shows how racism can come out in unexpected, chilling ways, like a ice box cake with fake whipped cream on top.

I love how this play takes a seemingly ordinary post-date follow-up with Chinese food and slowly reveals how each character feels about the night before and where it may be heading. A fortune cookie message about hesitation being the difference between yesterday and tomorrow tells us that sometimes we need to push ourselves to be open in potential relationships from the start and deal with our insecurities and vulnerabilities. Rihanna and Paul are characters we can all relate to in some way, even though there is a specific reason for Rihanna’s hesitation. Wonderful subtext and dialogue.