Recommended by Daniel Prillaman

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    A fun & scary gothic horror in its own right, Osmundsen's ghost story opens up further as you gradually realize its scope. Nestled in a narrative about how we treat (and fail) neurodivergent people as a society is an exploration of how the very stories we tell might haunt us as individuals. Similarly, these ghosts are more than the customary metaphors for grief or regret, but physical antagonists, bringing personal stakes to a thrilling tale about what it means to live in this world, dead or no.

    A fun & scary gothic horror in its own right, Osmundsen's ghost story opens up further as you gradually realize its scope. Nestled in a narrative about how we treat (and fail) neurodivergent people as a society is an exploration of how the very stories we tell might haunt us as individuals. Similarly, these ghosts are more than the customary metaphors for grief or regret, but physical antagonists, bringing personal stakes to a thrilling tale about what it means to live in this world, dead or no.

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    Once during early COVID, the roommates that my wife, Alli, and I were quarantining with tried to pull me into a plan to surprise her through me with an impromptu dinner party date as a fun and romantic gesture. I, knowing Alli absolutely hates surprises, tried to convince them this was a terrible idea. Then they got pissed at me. For a multitude of reasons, we don’t talk to them anymore. And for a multitude of reasons, this play is about so much more than how courtship can be subjective. Bravo.

    Once during early COVID, the roommates that my wife, Alli, and I were quarantining with tried to pull me into a plan to surprise her through me with an impromptu dinner party date as a fun and romantic gesture. I, knowing Alli absolutely hates surprises, tried to convince them this was a terrible idea. Then they got pissed at me. For a multitude of reasons, we don’t talk to them anymore. And for a multitude of reasons, this play is about so much more than how courtship can be subjective. Bravo.

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    Why does it matter who we’re fighting and where when dinner is on the line? Gauthier’s short play is a perfect “war against boredom” slice-of-life, exploring the mundanity of waiting for marching orders in the middle of nowhere amid everyone’s opinions on the chain of command. These characters are terrible together (in the best way possible), and I could watch them forever. You’ll most certainly feel the same.

    Why does it matter who we’re fighting and where when dinner is on the line? Gauthier’s short play is a perfect “war against boredom” slice-of-life, exploring the mundanity of waiting for marching orders in the middle of nowhere amid everyone’s opinions on the chain of command. These characters are terrible together (in the best way possible), and I could watch them forever. You’ll most certainly feel the same.

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    Taking a scoop from the absurd brilliance of Ryan M. Bultrowicz’ “Two-Timing Loaf of Bread,” Martin’s homage is coming dangerously close to creating the Inanimate Object Theatrical Universe. Personally? I’m for it. I could revel in this surreal silliness forever. The puns alone are (if you’ll excuse me…) a delicious treat, but the interrogation room set-up is just the cherry on top. You'll be cackling at this all evening.

    Taking a scoop from the absurd brilliance of Ryan M. Bultrowicz’ “Two-Timing Loaf of Bread,” Martin’s homage is coming dangerously close to creating the Inanimate Object Theatrical Universe. Personally? I’m for it. I could revel in this surreal silliness forever. The puns alone are (if you’ll excuse me…) a delicious treat, but the interrogation room set-up is just the cherry on top. You'll be cackling at this all evening.

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    I had the opportunity to catch a workshop production of this play and was delighted and terrified in that order. I won’t spoil how a stylized tea party filled with instantly lovable characters becomes so much more, but rest assured that in Conway’s deft hands, you’re in for the ride of your life. Literally? Perhaps. If you’re looking for or just enjoy quality longer one-acts, this is one you should know.

    I had the opportunity to catch a workshop production of this play and was delighted and terrified in that order. I won’t spoil how a stylized tea party filled with instantly lovable characters becomes so much more, but rest assured that in Conway’s deft hands, you’re in for the ride of your life. Literally? Perhaps. If you’re looking for or just enjoy quality longer one-acts, this is one you should know.

  • Daniel Prillaman: Who's Afraid of Bram Stoker? by Sam Heyman
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    Perhaps there comes a time for us all when we stop dressing up for Halloween. And is the passage of time and mortality's sexy presence not the scariest thing of all? Heyman's short is a hilarious and thoughtful stoner-infused slice of philosophy on much more than hotness. No trick here. This is all treat.

    Perhaps there comes a time for us all when we stop dressing up for Halloween. And is the passage of time and mortality's sexy presence not the scariest thing of all? Heyman's short is a hilarious and thoughtful stoner-infused slice of philosophy on much more than hotness. No trick here. This is all treat.

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  • Daniel Prillaman: Whirlpool by Ross Tedford Kendall
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    A thrilling endeavor where memory, consent, power, and kink all prove murky. Kendall uses different characters' POVs to great theatrical effect as they each recount their "experiences" of the traumatic event. Is someone lying? Is someone misremembering? Can the truth even be found and at what cost? WHIRLPOOL accurately shows how quickly all these questions can blur together and suck us down, particularly in the era of the internet and celebrity culture, when privacy is rarer by the day.

    A thrilling endeavor where memory, consent, power, and kink all prove murky. Kendall uses different characters' POVs to great theatrical effect as they each recount their "experiences" of the traumatic event. Is someone lying? Is someone misremembering? Can the truth even be found and at what cost? WHIRLPOOL accurately shows how quickly all these questions can blur together and suck us down, particularly in the era of the internet and celebrity culture, when privacy is rarer by the day.

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  • Daniel Prillaman: The Carbuncle by Dan West
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    An arresting satire of a married couple (both HOA members) appointing themselves judge, jury, and perhaps more while on their quest to ensure the neighborhood adheres to proper code and image. Fun roles for actors here that eloquently and absurdly show why the Sartre quote is so iconic.

    An arresting satire of a married couple (both HOA members) appointing themselves judge, jury, and perhaps more while on their quest to ensure the neighborhood adheres to proper code and image. Fun roles for actors here that eloquently and absurdly show why the Sartre quote is so iconic.

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  • Daniel Prillaman: The Hot Tub Play by Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend
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    I need everyone to understand that Lisa is consistently the funniest playwright working today. She is a master of comedic escalation, taking characters that feel so real and relatable through ever-increasing gauntlets of unexpected hilarity. Here, a chance meeting between two strangers with a mutual connection becomes a guffaw and espionage filled meet cute that I have never shipped harder in my life. Ruthlessly entertaining.

    I need everyone to understand that Lisa is consistently the funniest playwright working today. She is a master of comedic escalation, taking characters that feel so real and relatable through ever-increasing gauntlets of unexpected hilarity. Here, a chance meeting between two strangers with a mutual connection becomes a guffaw and espionage filled meet cute that I have never shipped harder in my life. Ruthlessly entertaining.

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  • Daniel Prillaman: Dog Bite? by Christopher Plumridge
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    I laughed aloud at this so hard I scared my cat. Can't really give it higher accolades than that.

    I laughed aloud at this so hard I scared my cat. Can't really give it higher accolades than that.

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