Recommended by Rosa Nagle

This play explores the definition of "outsider" in a beautiful way. Every new, immigrant group in our country has been initially considered an outcast, and has had to fight for acceptance in America. In "I-talian", we see what is good about America, the kindness of strangers, the willingness to forgive. The American dream is derived from notions of good will and acceptance. This play also has wonderfully written teenaged characters, which is not often seen onstage. The teenaged characters in this work avoid stereotype. They are intelligently written, and completely believable.

This play poses a chilling question: Will being human be enough for us anymore? As our lives become increasingly intertwined with the virtual world, it's possible that, eventually, the virtual world will overtake our lives. We may program ourselves into new, more efficient beings. New partly-humans. Stronger, smarter, faster. There have to be repercussions to not being able to love. Right? Was Crystal Shenkmann better off as driftless, non-ambitious Crystal, or is her decision to permanently be Gretchen better? Gretchen has everything Crystal wanted- money, power, prestige. Gretchen is "less" human, less emotional, more computer-brain. Who is the better person?

In eight short pages, this play proves that the playwright is an expert at comedic timing, natural dialogue, and pace. Ms. Hughes is born with the knack to write comedy. Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, with their bickering, "The mouse is speaking to you,"/"All your success has gone to your big, round head", serve to represent both creative, inner monologue, and the American workplace. Employees are disposable. The "boss" doesn't want to hear opinions, and, often, those who speak out are let go. Corporations, once magical, are all about greed. A stark picture's painted with stuffed animals. Hilarious. Intelligent.

I was intrigued by this play as a 10-minute. I love this full-length. Past and present interweave seamlessly. Space and time move fluidly as we're shown ideas of the past about femininity and female sexuality haven't changed much. We know. How many times have we heard a rape victim "deserving" her fate because she wore tight clothes? Marilyn, sadly, treated like a "slut" by the studios and men in her life, represents the "perfect" blonde beauty, reliant on powerful men, and used as an object. Abused. Talent for a young woman comes second to her beauty, today, as in 1962.

This play is equal parts funny and thought-provoking, as it takes an absurd premise, Alan, a father believes his 3-year-old son is the Messiah, and explores the pros and cons of this idea. There is always lingering doubt throughout, "what if?" It's wonderful that the question is never definitively answered. Example- young David has drawn a painting for Rabbi Gerber. He has spelled "Emet" in Hebrew, Rabbi believes. But has he? The dialogue in Act I is quick, and funny. Act II, thirty years later, is touching. It explores the outcome, relationships and family, when one child, "Messiah", is favored.

This short play is hysterically funny. I think any woman who has ever fantasized about tradesmen, and postal women, would enjoy this, so, most women in the world. The ending is surprising, actually. As the workers enter, and as the husband grows more and more irritated and suspicious, we see that this is not a comedy about an adulterer, but a woman who is trying to save her marriage. In the end, a mechanic does come to the rescue, though not the actual mechanic...This play is a lot of fun to read.