Recommended by Hilary Bluestein-Lyons

What's not to love about Eddie? What's not to love about Richard? What's not to love about the love these two have for each other? Steven G. Martin takes this all-too-common situation of having cold feet, and takes on a neurotic and spiraling journey to discover what brought these two people together. The juxtaposition of silence and babble is perfection.

Long-distance relationships are difficult enough, especially during this time of isolation, but Monica Cross has taken this challenge to a whole new level, while sprinkling the situation with seeds of metaphor and humor. I thought I had had enough of zoom plays and quarantine plays, but nope, not done. This play is hilarious, endearing, and relatable. I can't wait to see this, well, on zoom of course!

I love how this story unfold so delicately and thoughtfully, and how John Mabey skillfully reveals who the characters are, what they mean to each other, and their connection in the moment and more deeply. This short play wonderfully demonstrates how division can be overcome when we have the opportunity to see the humanity in each other. A lovely play!

Okay, you got me. I totally laughed out loud, at myself. Thank you for holding the mirror up, Mr. Martin. I am guilty of judging a book by its cover.

This play may on the surface seem to be about vaccinations or even gun control, or right and left-wing opinions and our staunch inability to be persuaded by the other side. But it's not. It's about the challenges of parenting and wanting so much to do what's right for our kids that we often just can't get out of our own way.

I love bread. I love bread as much as Oprah. I love it so much I should marry it. But now, not so much. Thanks a lot, Bultrowicz for ruining bread for me. In all seriousness, there's nothing serious about this play. I love this play, almost as much as I used to love bread.

I saw Permission at the Secret Theatre's Act One: One Act Festival and it blew me away! Carnes perfectly captured the dance we must do when parenting a teenage daughter. Nothing truly prepares us for how intensely our past experiences dictate our parenting styles, until we're confronted with it. And Carnes' play absolutely illustrates this.

A dysfunctional and completely broken, yet absolutely relatable family is thoroughly exposed, to each other, the neighbors, and the audience. Dawes presents these multifaceted characters in a way that is uniquely suited for the stage.

I'm a sucker for witty banter, and this has it. And I'm a sucker for lots of layers and complications yet everything works out in the end (sorry spoiler), and this has that too. It's heartwarming and lovely, with a splash of romance and a cannonball of family dynamics.

This may be the weirdest Christmas play ever. Love it!