Recommended by Paul Donnelly

This play builds to a wallop of an ending that I did not see coming! Sylvia's bizarre attempt to cover the death of her daughter's goldfish builds to a crescendo of comedic guilt and self-recrimination that is finally turned on its head. This is a most engaging two-hander, with well-drawn characters and a thoroughly absorbing narrative.

A man desperate to fulfill his sister's dying wish approaches a near stranger with a novel proposition. He is eventually successful in persuading the young man to go along, but we are left to wonder is the young man just in it for the money or is there a shred of compassion in his agreement? These are two well grounded characters in a high stakes exchange that raises difficult moral questions.

There is such depth of characterization and such richness in the gradually revealed backstories in this subtly moving depiction of two very different dads bonding at their sons' soccer game. We are left with real hope that one will be able to move beyond his pain and authentically bond with his son. Enjoy your beer, Keith!

This is a taut and compelling view of immeasurable grief being alleviated to some degree by simple human decency. The shadow of the all too common phenomenon of school shootings looms over the characters' interaction and adds to the overwhelming poignancy of the narrative.

What a charming and heartening illustration of a fleeting connection. Would that we could all experience such joyfully serendipitous moments!

This is a funny and deft celebration of family connections. The set up is a riot (cue the Ugly Mug) and the execution a delight. Characters are vividly drawn and each has an engaging arc. All in all a sparkling farce!

A sweet romantic comedy is given seriousness and heft by Jerry's imminent deployment and the political divide represented by the unseen, but hostile, neighbors. I was left concerned for Jerry's ultimate fate and whether his proposal would be the start of a life together or a last bittersweet memory. An engaging and moving work.

I am terrified I won't be able to say anything fresh or original in response to this spot on description of the playwright's journey. Oh hell, I'll just state the obvious, this is one hell of a funny and resonant monologue. I feel simultaneously seen and judged.

Although filled with resonant echoes of Death of a Salesman, this piece stands neatly on its own with a compelling exploration of ambition and ethics and the cold hard realities of life. Bernard's interactions with Myron and Edna are as comic as his encounter with the Stranger is chilling. There is also excellent use made of it's just post-war setting.

What is on the surface a farce about actors' audition prep contains a chilling political prediction. I found myself laughing and shuddering at the same time. Could it be that we live in barely pre-apocalyptic times?