Recommended by Nick Malakhow

What an amazingly observed and rendered portrait of two compelling characters. Ching's refracted chronology is expertly pieced together so as to always keep one wanting to know what happens next but never frustrated by what they don't know. In fact, I was delighted that we were provided a solid foundation for Diana and Max's relationship before we learn some of the central tensions and traumatic events within it. It was a humbling treat to read such well-crafted, natural, and hilarious dialogue. Its humanness made the sad bits hurt more, while also feel strangely healing--much like real and messy friendship.

This is a tenderly written portrait of Andrew's external and internal self, as well as of the family that is doing their best to reconfigure their relationships with Andrew. Each character is written with nuance and a distinct voice, and each has their own set of potent goals and motivations. Cabrera renders the familial dynamics with deftly placed humor, lightening the mood at times and highlighting some of the more poignant and sobering realizations all of the characters face about their strengths and limitations. Cabrera also makes good use of theatricality to externalize Andrew's internal life. Beautiful!

Part ghost story and part intrigue-filled mystery, HEARTS OF STONE is propelled by a compelling and sympathetic protagonist and populated by an eclectic cast of well-drawn characters. I appreciated the subtle foreshadowing of revelations to come throughout, and the pace at which major plot points were revealed. Hoke uses Lydia's motivation to uncover the mystery behind those haunting her as a skillful way to explore and flesh out Lydia's own issues with grief, mental health, and her anxieties of falling into unhealthy familial patterns. A warm sense of humor woven through the piece provides needed levity between urgent discovery.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this tender-hearted, creative, and offbeat play. Foglia does an excellent job of establishing a unique theatrical universe with skillful "showing" of the world versus overly expository world building. Mac's introspective and poignant journey was told with an amazing balance of humor and pathos, and Foglia uses it to illuminate and analyze loneliness and the choices people make to either overcome it or let it consume them. Designers and directors have a lot of room to play within this well-structured piece as well, making it an appealingly adaptable slice of universal, metaphorical truth.

I thoroughly enjoyed following each character's journey in this complex play with a keen eye towards the way one's intersectional identity may shape their life. Equal parts hilarious and poignant, "Mosque4Mosque" explores impactful collisions of nationality, faith/religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, and age. Omer Abbas Salem also renders a dynamic theatrical world that makes good use of transitions in space and time and leaves much room for designers and directors to leave their imprint on how it might be realized on its feet. I hope to have the chance to keep track of this play's trajectory!

Wow! Ambitious in both content and form, Zamoyta's THE INCELS had me engaged in this largely monologue-based play from the get go all the way until the end. These three dynamic and nuanced characters' trajectories were somehow both surprising and yet inevitable. This feels like a propulsive narrative even though the characters don't interact in the flesh. It underscores the simultaneous connection and alienation of online communities that breeds, distorts, and curdles anger, resentment, and loneliness. There is also tons here for designers to go nuts with. I hope to keep track of this play's trajectory!

A beautiful, offbeat, and at times unsettling story about how trauma haunts. Stout explores the abuse and mistreatment of women at the hands of human traffickers, and the ways these women fight to escape, pick themselves up, and reinvent their lives. In Gerda we have a compelling rock of a protagonist who is impossible not to root for throughout. Despite the heavy subject matter, this play is written with nuance and a gentle hand. The transitions, double-casting, and haunting visual landscape also make it a uniquely theatrical piece. I would love to see this on its feet!

A quirky, offbeat, often times hilarious, and human story told with an extraordinarily deft hand, Romeo explores caretaking of various forms and its impacts. The four characters in this piece are vibrantly rendered and nuanced--though they oftentimes skirt around saying what they directly mean, their intentions, actions, and reactions are crystal clear and completely plausible. It is a testament to the writing that, even when the characters do and say eyebrow-raising things, the actions come from a truthful and compelling to watch place. Lastly, the theatrical world crafted here blends sharp realism with just enough whimsy and lyricism. Gorgeous!

"Settlements" is a compelling and brisk read that tackles the compromises people either strive to make or struggle to resist when controversial art meets the practical realities of funding. Each character has a compelling reason to have a stake in the creation and potential production of Yasmin's play. I'm going to remember the conversations and debates about tribalism, idealism, and provocation long after having finished this piece! What I perhaps most enjoyed were the rich additional stories that could be told or imagined about this scenario. I hope to track this play's developmental trajectory.

Part of the effectiveness of Stout's QUICK is its "in the future but right around the corner feel." It was absolutely engrossing and startling to read this imagined future that feels all too terrifyingly close to our current socio political reality. Stout takes care not to simply make an "issue" play--she crafts nuanced and engaging characters who speak with distinct and defined voices and have urgent goals. The handful of potently written scenes depict excellently chosen moments in these characters' journey north. I hope this play has a long life starting now--it is definitely required viewing for the present.