Recommended by Paul Donnelly

This is a lovely meditation on the universe and our place in it, the magic of art, and the constancy of change. Lyrically tying the creation of art to the expansion of the universe offers a moving reflection on the human spirit. I was moved and filled with delight by this monologue and its final line.

A witty salute to Jimmy Carter's enduring decency and long life of service. God didn't stand a chance.

So much pain and desperation courses under this daughter's description of the items for sale in this yard sale. Objects hold value far beyond their prices. The fear she faces at the coming change in her life is palpable. The unsaid has such weight in this moving study of the cost of a parent's dementia.

It's not easy being evil, especially when you are prone to malapropisms and your back up skill is the accordion. This engagingly silly play is a pure delight.

An off-kilter comedy of the most amusing sort. The dialogue crackles and the characters are wittily absurd. Gerry, Dusty, and Andy are such good company and Jack makes an excellent foil. All-in-all a delightful comic confection.

What a lovely and heartening romantic comedy! There is much humor mined from the awkwardness of this encounter (the mix up of in the head and spoken out loud sentiments is particularly amusing). There is also much joy to be found in the authenticity of their connection. This is a truly endearing and engaging piece.

What a dark and powerful re-imagining of a classic fairy tale. Despite her adult successes we see Rapunzel dragged down by childhood trauma. Her hair, both her greatest gift and her greatest burden, narrates the story of her life and downfall. Rapunzel's fate seems both tragic and inevitable. I can only reiterate that this is a dark and powerful narrative.

Minnie and Aster are so real and their dialogue rings so true - full of awkwardness and memory and longing. They have developed very different lives since their break up, but their connection remains powerful and poignant. This is a well-realized portrait of an important moment in both of their lives.

A moving portrait of one young man's life with ADHD and its accompanying anxiety and sadness. The three aspects of his experience are vividly drawn and Billy himself is a most sympathetic character. The ending shifts perspective in a most heartening way. Go Billy!

Under the spell of a Svengali-like coach, young Bridget dedicates her life to fencing training to the exclusion of all other life activities. She ultimately comes to question the sacrifices demanded of her and has to make the difficult decision whether or not to continue to meet those demands. This play has resonance for all who dedicate themselves obsessively and from a young age to any pursuit. It is a powerful exploration of a young woman's coming of age and discovering her own autonomy.