Recommended by Nick Malakhow

A briskly-moving piece that examines important aspects of the queer community--generational divides, chosen family mentors, and more. I loved the use of Atlantis as what felt like a larger metaphor for the isolation and loneliness that is part of the queer experience, and the creating of one's own identity and "mythology" so to speak. Rick and Scotty's friendship is touching and unexpected and complicated, and I appreciate how it consistently runs counter to Mary's assumptions and expectations.

Yet again, Haygen-Brice Walker creates a compelling and totally out there theatrical world that explores queerness, social norms, identity, collective history/trauma, and the tension between who you are and who you show to the world. The use of horror tropes is supremely creepy/unsettling and the haunting aspects amplify the themes of living vs hiding one's truths. All of this is done with a hefty dose of pitch-black humor and some impeccably crafted, unique characters who are all so distinctly drawn. Works like this make me yearn for live theater to see this world come to life.

A tightly written and highly theatrical piece that shifts seamlessly between beautifully-observed naturalistic scenes, revealing monologues, and expressionistic sequences. In Khady, Kareem Fahmy has written a compelling character whose questions about her family, faith, and how those things are tied up with her identity, sense of herself, and her athletic career really propel this play forward in a dynamic way. I loved the room for theatrical movement sequences and how they coexisted with subtle and nuanced character study. Each supporting character in the small ensemble has an organically urgent stake in Khady's actions as well. Exciting work!

The titular itch becomes a skillfully used extended metaphor for cycles of family dysfunction, made particularly more complex by its intersection with mental health struggles and recovery. This is a really original family portrait, and I appreciated how each character felt well-rounded and human, while also serving as an interesting, metaphorical piece of the aforementioned exploration of mental health. I look forward to following this play's trajectory!

A compelling ensemble piece that examines an important cross section of folks within the queer community. In highlighting these particular people, Wilson illuminates how intra-community dynamics are informed by gentrification/economic privilege, white-cis-male privilege, addiction and desire, and generational changes. This is definitely not a play of easy answers or the proposition of a future utopia. There is something so beautiful and symbolic, however, in Jonathan and Mary Christ's final conversation--it feels like both a missed connection and the possible seed for growth or rethinking community.

A genre-defying, fabulistic piece that navigates a variety of theatrical styles and motifs, and issues both micro and macro level in such a compelling and engaging way. Sam Hamashima creates a distinct theatrical world and their skill in bringing together a variety of threads into a cohesive, aesthetic whole is supreme. I loved the dual narrative focus, as well, on this humorous, heightened fable-like tale from the past and a grandmother and grandson's more immediate and intimate journey through the results of generational, cultural, and familial trauma. This play begs to be staged and soon I hope!

A super compelling exploration of loneliness and isolation, fantasy, and leaning into darkness. Both Nyce and Jim are incredibly rendered characters, and I love the highly theatrical ways we get to know them, both in their "direct" interactions and when we see them adopt a variety of roles and masks. It's also so amazing how Green renders Jim with such care and nuance and compassion even while unflinchingly looking at him in all of his darkness. I'd so love to see this in production!

This is an exquisite exploration of lesbian culture and history (specifically) as well as key dynamics in queer culture (in general). Namely--questions of assimilation vs. standing out, tradition vs. progress, and the intersection of new understandings about gender and sexuality with old ideas that once felt empowering and important but that are being brought into question. Cotter manages to examine so many huge issues by putting 12 eclectic and well-defined lives under a microscope. I'd so love to see this in a full production onstage.

This play is so inventive and the theatrical landscape so vividly rendered that it just begs to be produced by a creative and resourceful group. The allegorical connections to mythology underscore the entrenched, cyclical, and ever-looming nature of the forces of toxic patriarchy and the male gaze on sex and sexuality. The thread of Medusa's story throughout is particularly potent. The razor-sharp humor is undeniable, even as it unearths and explores gutting truths about the aforementioned issues. I'd so love to see this on a stage!

Beautifully rendered story with a parable-like quality to it. It feels both very specific and set in a defined and unique theatrical world while also exploring huge universal themes of toxic masculinity, family, and gender roles. Gently's journey is so fully compelling and it honors how terrifying his transformation is and how rooted it is in gender expectations while preserving him as a sympathetic character. I'd love to see this fully realized onstage!