Recommended by Bruce Karp

Paul Smith has written a poignant tribute to a lover slowly departing this earth, using simple, fluid dialogue and gorgeous images. The words clear, expressive and you couldn't help but feel the love of Tony, the friends and caregivers, and even Jasper, the beloved dog, who seemed to know what was coming. I had to take a deep breath and sit for a moment after reading this moving play, which I'm sure will resonate on a stage or on the radio. Well done!

I really enjoyed the rising tension between the two women, and, in today's political climate, the thought of a candidate being waylayed by some bombshell revelation is certainly believable. Weibezahl expertly uncovers important details of Lauren's apparent indiscretion and selective memory, leading to a satisfying ending, where very little needs to be said to imply what will come next. Well done!

Oh, my, a great buildup of tension informs this story of a conversation between a student and his mentor as the student realizes there is something familiar in the mentor's new book. I don't want to spoil anything, but Mabey's tight and nuanced dialogue will keep you interested and, best of all, he leaves the audience guessing what will happen next. You may wish that he adds another scene so we can find out...

I read this play in our writer's group and we all agreed that the play was so well-written with a surprise ending that is perfection. As always, O'Neill-Butler's dialogue is crisp and relatable and engages the reader. Would love to see this play produced, and we know there are more terrific "bench" plays to join this one.

Dan Taube has written a terrific play with a difficult theme - bullying, and it's not limited to high school students. The adults are guilty, too. It's a real page turner that I couldn't stop reading until the final satisfying pages. The characters are finely drawn and the situations well-thought out and sometimes hard to read because the emotions are so raw. I recommend you read this timely play, especially knowing what a difficult time teachers are having right now trying to simply do their job.

A delightful take on having what you really desire, even after you're dead. This is a well-written, relatable and very funny take on vanity, and eternal love. If only our fate could be like Lilly's.

Congratulations are in order to Mr. Mabey for writing this prize-winning play. The dialogue is rich, emphasizing the relationship of the sisters, though perhaps not currently as close, as well as their somewhat fractured family history. Mabey creates a mysterious setting which adds to the richness of his writing.

Mr. Donnelly has written a charming play, subtle, yet with underlying emotion, with a nice twist at the end. What seems like a simple concept invites interest in the lives of the characters before they meet in the scene, or put another way, I'd like to know more about them. Perhaps Donnelly will decide to expand the play? This reader would be happy to spend more time with them.

Using the Afikoman as a metaphor, Heyman presents Leo, hoping to be found, so he can live the life HE wants to live, not the one he thinks other family members (i.e., his rabbi brother Joel) expect him to live. The writing is pure and relatable, the feelings leap off the page. Hope for a better future is desired, then finally discussed; a family seems ready to overcome a family tragedy and individual doubts so that they can move on. Well worth reading.

Mabey has written a tense and emotional story based on fact, that had me holding my breath throughout. Terse writing, every word counting. Reminding us of what could come down the road for all of us in the present, this play is both a historical necessity and cautionary tale. Beautifully done.