Recommended by Nick Malakhow

This is a moving piece about friendship and the ways friends show up for one another (or struggle to) as people navigate the complexities of middle age. I enjoyed the theatricality--the narrative structure, the moments of humorous double casting, and the malleability of space and time. This play beautifully captures how adult friendship (or any friendship outside the confines of growing up and school) takes an intentionality, effort, and communication that isn't easy but ultimately necessary.

This is a beautiful, thought-provoking play. While always remaining grounded in its three dimensional characters, it thoughtfully explores American Jewish identity both at the individual and familial/group levels. The scenes were propulsive, and I found myself genuinely excited to see where all these seemingly small seismic decisions by Abraham and Leo in particular would lead. I'm eager to track this play and see it realized in production!

A powerful, disturbing play about the convergence of fandom, friendship, loneliness, and rage. Mimi and Ash have a clearly defined relationship to each other and to the troubled school shooters they idolize. Theatricality is used here in such intriguing ways to illustrate the role-playing and malleable identity play inherent in internet subcultures and juxtapositions heighten some of the most potent moments, such as Mimi's final phone call, meeting Ron vs Ronny, fanfic, and video roleplaying.

A sticky, epic family drama that tackles territory that the likes of "Appropriate" and "August: Osage County" do, but with a uniquely complex, intersectional POV about Jewish heritage and diaspora. I was impressed at the three dimensional characters, who reflect many lived experiences viewpoints, but who never reduce themselves to simply mouthpieces for contrasting views. The focus on potent emotional wants and needs grounds this boldly political, personal play. Excited to follow its trajectory!

A super creative satire both in form and content. Alexa Derman examines so much here about nuances of identity, the current political landscape in the US, the relationship between Jewish Americans and Israel, and the complexities of how online discourse has shaped those things. The play is also just so quick, smart, and original in its humor while not shying away from potent emotional truths and crises.

I enjoyed this witty, well-written piece that balances observational relationship hilarity with more profound conclusions about connection, loneliness, and love. I appreciated the universal conclusions drawn through the examination of a nuanced and naturalistically drawn queer relationship. Everything about Thomas' fascination with the neighbors builds perfectly to the inevitable yet still nail biting and startling conclusion of how far he takes things.

A beautiful, propulsive play that speaks volumes about connection, love, and the precariousness of life through the voices of two deftly rendered, nuanced humans. What tenderness and care there is throughout this profound exploration of a relationship. In Terry and Kati's specific humanity lies innumerable deeper truths that all can relate to, and yet I am so appreciative of seeing such universal themes in a queer love story. I'd love to see this dynamic play realized live.

A gorgeous, lyrical play about loneliness, disconnection, and queer identity and coming of age. I was particularly struck by how Kaydo balanced the parable-like quality of the storytelling with characters who are so nuanced, specific, and unique. I was invested so much both in the evolving relationship between the Boy and Kyle (it's beautiful and funny and honest and original) as well as the Boy and his parents. I would be so excited to see this interpreted onstage!

This play is full of beautifully rendered characters with urgent needs, wants, and friction with one another and forces larger than themselves/each other. I appreciated the intimate/epic scope of it; such huge themes related to the inheritance and ownership of culture, gender roles in society, and generational conflict and legacy are explored through characters painted with gentle and hyper-specific brushstrokes. This is true in form, as well--realism mingles with big, exciting theatricality.

A beautiful, nuanced, intersectional look at queerness, coming of age, and outsidership. I loved both the vehicle of looking at a "friendship of convenience" that ends up seismically impacting two boys and the threading through of elegant extended metaphors about superheroes, secret identities, and fantasy. The poignant ending is both bittersweet and satisfying.