Recommended by Paul Donnelly

A real depth of feeling runs under the comic veneer of this charming play. That's not to say it isn't very funny. A little puppy mishap on their first anniversary leads a couple to deal with undercurrents that left unspoken could have eventually destroyed their relationship. Instead we see their bond movingly affirmed.

Ah the lengths to which we'll go to combat writer's block. Jack conjures a very funny duo, a talking monkey and a talking horse, to shake him out of his doldrums. The monkey and horse amuse the viewer mightily, but don't help Jack much. Jack eventually has to find his own comic way out of his writer's block.

A joyous celebration of growing into old age instead of settling into old age. Albert and Amy have the ballast of shared history, that frees Albert to be open to new adventures. I'll bet those will be the best blueberry pancakes they've ever had!

The back and forth between jaded William and bright-eyed Teddy is witty and engaging. Lovestruck Teddy is the immoveable object, William is the irresistible force in this comic battle of wills. Read the play to see who triumphs in the end.

What a powerful rendering of the regrets of a lifetime coming to the surface. And how cleverly constructed. The naturalistic seeming exchange between a father and son builds to a surprising revelation, one that is moving and rings true.

Underneath these characters' naturalistic and often humorous speech roils a powerful undertow of hurt and slights and secrets. Table 14 also illuminates the expectations often inherent for a wedding, both in terms of the superficial, ceremonial aspects and the potential meanings of the celebrated bond. Act 2 forces a reconsideration of all the trappings that often accompany a modern wedding and yet also recognizes an enduring need for ritual and communal celebration. This is an entertainingly profound work rendered with sublime craft.

Who wouldn't want a little sister as generous and effective as Elise? Thanks to her, Christmas comes a little early for Grayson in this tart and hysterical holiday confection.

SZP certainly lives up to its intriguing title. Her rising panic about the effects of the Rot and her emerging regrets about some of her life choices are very funny and tinged with just a hint of melancholy. I heartily applaud her final choice and this whole piece.

This is a razor sharp metaphorical exploration of a final loss of control. The crisp dialogue propels us through an ever deepening narrative. What seems like the final reveal is made all the more chilling by the haunting closing line that follows.

Five witty takes on the extremes to which a certain popular obsession may drive us. Each works on its own, but the cumulative effect is most satisfying.