Recommended by Paul Donnelly

Portia understands the challenges she faces in proving her thesis that Shakespeare was a woman. Travelling across two eras, we see the potential justification for and ramifications of her thesis. Cross-dressing Miss Shakespeare and Burbage's confused attraction echo the great comedies and their cross-dressing heroines. Portia's defense of her thesis to her condescending husband is most compelling.

The mysteries of love, lost and found, are explored in this witty, mystical, and thoroughly charming comedy. From watching Leo get his just desserts to seeing Mary lose her bet with herself, I was thoroughly engaged and frequently laughing out loud. Aaaron the Aardvark is a perfect romantic hero and comic engine. and his namesake play a complete delight.

This taut exchange between a principal and coach over the coach's disciplinary methods raises issues that will need to be discussed long after the final curtain. These characters are vividly drawn and thoroughly compelling, as are two unseen characters. The ending caught me by surprise in the best possible way.

Two comic geniuses meet and find themselves embroiled in a debate about the nature of comedy and the role of art in the world. Their diametrically opposed positions emerge naturally from their creative collaboration. Chaplin's wife Oona is given her full due as well. The philosophies expounded come from real humans and the play brims over with humanity as well as philosophy.

The struggle is real as Christopher Soucy captures perfectly in this succinct spoof.

Desperate reporters competing for breaking news are skewered artfully in this compelling comedy. A poor poll worker and an innocent pizza guy get caught up in the madness. If only more people, including our intrepid news hounds, would listen to Voter 1!

I laughed, I groaned, I laughed some more. This gloriously manic collaboration between two of the funniest writers on NPX is silly, thigh-slapping fun. The archetypal characters are a joy to watch in action. Comedy gold, my friends. Comedy gold.

Ah the dreaded Karen with a similar M.O. throughout the ages strikes hard at the funny bone. This pun-filled romp is insanely funny from the character names to The Karen's assault to the final whimpering surrender.

This is a raucous farce in which the course of true love certainly does not run smooth. In the manner of classic comedy lovers are united and lessons are learned. The door-slamming physical comedy would be a delight to see staged.

What a superlative and suspenseful noir saga, full of twists and reveals and characters who are not what they seem. It also has an engaging whiff of comedy. And if there's a lesson to be learned, it's don't mess with Jacquie Floyd.