Recommended by Robert Weibezahl

This little gem of a play reveals one of the unspoken secrets of marriage! One perfectly portrayed moment that tells us everything we need to know. You’ll either laugh or cry, depending on where you fall on the sleep spectrum. Brava!

When characters try to take control of the narrative, what’s a writer to do? Kill (your darlings) or be killed. A clever slice of meta-playwriting that any writer will appreciate.

A lovely November romance that suggests love at first sight is still possible, even if you now require bifocals. A sassy story that treats its two aging characters with warmth and dignity. Filled with optimism, humor, and quiet knowingness. I saw the sharp production done as part of Barrington Stage Company’s 10x10 New Play Festival and it certainly was one of the highlights of the evening.

So sweet and endearing with the perfect unexpected twist. Mr. Williams, you may have missed a lucrative career opportunity: Paging Madison Avenue!

The things we wonder but don’t talk about. The sexuality of the severely disabled. Sibling intimacy. Hodges treads into these taboo realms in a truly original short play that makes us laugh as it triggers much to think about and, yes, talk about. Brave writers take us outside our comfort zone. Good writers don’t preach while doing so. In “Siblings,” Hodges proves himself one such brave and good writer.

Williams’s emotionally honest plays often have many layers to peel away, and “Going for a Walk with Sam” is no exception. While he literally and whimsically portrays the spirit of a departed dog, Williams delves deeper, exploring the spiritual connection between humans and their beloved pets, as well as how that connection can become integral to human pairings as well. Staging this warm-hearted play would be a delightful challenge for director and actors alike and I hope someday to see it performed.

Williams’s quick one-minute play about a couple loaded for bear underscores with delicious humor and a touch of irony how sometimes taking ourselves too seriously can lead to playing the fool.

This riveting monologue captures perfectly the fear and anger and pity that comes with facing the possibilities of a terminal illness—and the clever twist at the end underscores the complexity of our fundamental human nature. An exhilarating piece.

A lifetime of sibling rivalry and resentment is layered with care into this poignant 10-minute play. Lawing beautifully captures the child that resurfaces in each of us when we’re thrust back into our family dynamic. This, coupled with the devastating grief of losing one’s last surviving parent, means the simple scenario at the heart of “this proves it” is anything but simple in the end. Brothers Chris and Ken play out their designated family roles in expected ways—until they don’t. Much to unpack in this resonant piece.

Marj O’Neill-Butler regularly captures the indignities of aging with comic elan in her short plays, and GETTING WITH THE PROGRAM is no exception. This eager pack of women of a certain age navigating the muck and mire of online dating—enthusiastically, confusedly, and with a touch of terror—will tickle your funny bone and win your heart.