Recommended by Paul Donnelly

A lovely bit of misdirection keeps us from realizing at first that we are viewing liberated dieters. Ah but what sweet, sweet liberation! Dare I say Emancipation is one tasty morsel?

Poor slightly delusional Ted attempts to use Egyptian funerial practices to lure back his ex-wife. While unsuccessful, Ted's stratagem is very funny. There is also something touching about his need and her patient response. The ending is equal parts affirming and humorous. This is a unique and engaging comedy.

I have to wonder if a blind date between a hunter and the hunted isn't really a metaphor for the whole process of dating. This blind date gets off to a rocky start with a late arrival, but a sweet chemistry develops and a second date is even considered. Then come the witty and engaging reveals that turn the whole proceeding on its head. This play is great fun throughout.

Lisa's attempt to manage her grief through structure, not buying anything not on the list, fails in the face of her insupportable grief. She and Thomas are fortunate to be able to work through their grief together. This is a heart-rending play.

When is a delusion actually an insight? That's the question at the heart of this engaging and ultimately dystopian play. We empathize with Nathan's attempts to manage Charlie up until the eerie reversal that ends the narrative and forces us to question all that came before.

Another charming bench play from Marj O'Neill-Butler. Bob and Rob are a quirky and engaging pair and Jean makes a lovely foil. Their gentle and humorous interaction builds to a heartening conclusion.

Luckily for us, Gene Wilder and Billy the Kid haven't really thought through their attempt to steal the Hope Diamond. The collapse of their hair-brained plan is the source of the many, many laughs that fill Heist! There are unseen and unheard others who are vividly rendered, but wisely the focus remains on our bumbling protagonists. The Hope Diamond has probably never been safer.

This is a gripping and disturbing portrait of a man in extremis. My heart was in my throat throughout, right up until the surprising ending, which was a relief but which also left me with great empathy for Abe. Abe is that most compelling of characters, the conflicted monster. His final act makes him a tragic figure. Abe's narrative is relentlessly harrowing.

Such a concise depiction of a romantic encounter gone wrong. What starts out giddily romantic ends up truly heartbreaking. This is a phenomenal achievement in so brief a work.

What a totally bizarre and completely captivating satire on the retail experience. From Kenneth's rhyming intro on this is a world hilariously askew. Audiences will be only too glad to follow the twists and turns of the narrative because the humor escalates throughout.