Recommended by Paul Donnelly

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?

This is a powerful exploration of the corrosive effects of unrealized expectations and the disappointments faced in middle age. The dialogue between Chet and Dusty is amusing and compelling and filled with absorbing twists and reversals.

"Were all the shelters empty?" This sublime put down seals the deal that there will be no second date between these two men with very different levels of interest in parenting. A full range of issues around parenting is explored in a very short time in this thoughtful comic monologue.

Knowing the backstory of Betty White and Allen Ludden added to my appreciation of the humor and poignancy of this piece, but the humor and poignancy would still resonate if I only saw this as a play about the permanence of longing and the elusiveness of memory. The wistfully comedic misunderstanding between the two characters builds to a lovely and heartening moment of recognition.