Recommended by Nelson Diaz-Marcano

As a person that had to deal with opioid issues with close family members, and grew up having to deal with the repercussions of their disease, this play hits hard. Intense, well written, painful to experience, Carnes has crafted a short piece that has so much truth to it, no matter how much we want to look away.

A strong and subtle exploration of how the healthcare system has been used to aid the gap between classes and keep down the undesirables. Of how the choice of who lives and dies sometimes is not our own, and how our reality is warped for us to feel comfortable with that. Azure-Osborne is a playwright I urge you all to read and get aquatinted to.

When my play Revolt was running in Chicago, somebody told me about this play that was running at the same time called The Madres. Sadly I had no time and missed it. Decided to read it on my way to Argentina, and wow. This is painful. This is encouraging. This is history. This play is an incredible piece of theater that reminds us of our cruelty but also of Our power.

What a lovely and relevant play! Truly, how is this not all over the stages of this nation? Modernizing the holiday spirit, Donna Hoke has crafted a fun yet meaningful story that is perfect for these times. I laughed and felt cozy. It felt like being under a blanket, with hot chocolate. In other words, what a perfect treat for this season!

It felt so terribly good as a devilish smile formed in my face on its way to becoming a maniacal laughter after reading a line that just said "And then--" God I love Rachael Carnes work.

An incredible piece that humanizes a struggle, gives a face to a fight and helps understand more of us are in this together that are divided. A needed work of theater.

This play is haunting. The visceral and unforgiving world of prison is given a spotlight in this urban poem about a rigged system and its pawns. Franky's caring and loving approach to these forgotten people is one that will ultimately break your heart, and in the process, somehow help you experience what it is to be on the wrong side of the aforementioned system. There are not excuses for their crimes, only understanding. What a masterpiece.

A painful rally. A cry for unity to deaf ears. A realization a lot of kids our day have to make, in this nation that wants to treat them like treasures but destroy the world around them. Wyndham has a way with words that helps him explore the diseases that plague our society with humor and truth. This one is not as funny as the others, but it hit me harder than any of his other work. Constantly amazed by this playwright!

To feel so uncomfortable laughing is such a bliss when it’s work this good. Poignant and fast paced, this play needs to be seen.

I saw this play a few years ago at The Brick and loved every aspect of it. Unique and bold, this play needs to be produced more often.