Recommended by Robert Weibezahl

No matter our age, part of us always remains sixteen. O’Neill-Butler often taps into this truth in her plays about older adults, and always with her signature wit and perception. This little gem is no exception. Caustically hilarious, Lynn gets in her own way in her search for love. When daughter Amy orchestrates a “chance” meeting with Gary, who still has some hair, he proves he can hold his own with feisty Lynn. A sparring match made in heaven? Older actresses will kill to play this role.

This charming, philosophical twist on “The Monkey’s Paw” reminds us that while we may wish for the past, we are not meant to regain it. While John seeks to be reunited with his dead lover, the reality is that Herb, resurrected through supernatural means, has no desire to return to a “fragile existence in some sweaty, soggy bag of meat and bones.” John’s greatest, and hardest, act of love is to let go. A lovely short play about the blurry intersection of life and death.

So much playwriting is dialogue driven (guilty as charged!) that it is easy to forget the origins of drama in commedia dell’arte, mime, dance… Well, Weaver hasn’t forgotten and he’s crafted an absolutely delightful (dialogue-less) story of bears and bees and instinct and innovation and community and consternation and cooperation…and honey! This is ageless storytelling at its best, appropriate for all ages, both onstage and off. Utterly charming. I hope to see this staged someday … and soon!

I always envy John Busser’s comedy acumen, and 37 ORIGAMI BEES is no exception. As a proud self-identifying codger, I sweated through the laughter of this dead-on depiction of AI’s terrifying takeover of our everyday lives. Nearly every other line in the play is a comic gem. Yep. Color me green.

The perils and pitfalls of being a teacher in this age of social media and tech-savvy kids gets a fresh perspective in Moore’s sharp two-hander. As Mrs. Felix retains the upper hand – if just barely – her own sanity-maintaining compromises are far from honorable. A REWRITE is a deceptively thoughtful comedy that will have you pondering the way things are.

Anxiety, obsession, and overpriced coffee – the troika of modern American life – drive this hilarious (as well as creepy) short play. Moore employs the perfect set up, then unreels Justin’s understandable alarm with precision. The final line is at once unexpected and inevitable – bull's eye!

A brilliantly constructed short play about assumptions and perceptions, reminiscent of the classic sex comedies of the 1960s … but with a definite modern-day twist! In the hands of three attractive, comic actors, this play will supply both the laughs and the heat at many a 10-minute festival.

Cat lovers unite! A sweet, poignant and thought-provoking view of the world from the feline perspective, this touching play also has a rich “human” subtext about homelessness, community (“Living on one's own is a gamble”), and the passing on of generational knowledge and wisdom. Even ailurophobics won’t be able to resist this charmer.

Comedy master Busser hits the bull's-eye with this one, capturing the complexity and messiness of father-son relationships with poignancy, wit, and a fantastic "gotcha" moment in the end. Straddling the thin line between comedy and drama, TAKEN TO SCHOOL will fit into any playfest. Perfect title, too! Bravo, Mr. B.

Abrams shares the infectious fun as she weaves subtle (and not-so-subtle) allusions from classic literature into a sweet, congenial two-hander. Seek out the lovely audio version by Theatrical Shenanigans, which captures the play's many charms.