Recommended by Bruce Karp

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.

Baker has written a play so dense with details, feelings and emotion that I was shocked it was only a five-page play. Excellent character development, tension, and dialogue. The turnaround at the end of the play was surprising and well-earned. Well done!

An emotional and heartbreaking story of love, expertly rendered by Ms. Cole. The young child, wise beyond the years he never got to have, the distraught father trying to understand and move on ---it's powerful and real.

This is a sweet story of trying to accept the ups and downs of life...especially the downs, once a certain stage of life is reached. O'Neill-Butler's dialogue is, as always, sharp and relatable - same can be said for the two characters. As someone in their age group, I can only say that there's much to think about. Great roles for older actors.

Feeny-Williams has written an empowering play about a woman who has simply had enough - enough of a husband who belittles her, (on her birthday, yet), and a boss who treats her like a dishrag. Go Jane! And, Jane's epiphany is explosive and well-earned, and would likely earn cheers from the audience. Hope it gets the production it deserves.

Love the spin on this long-term marriage. It certainly is relatable to anyone in such a relationship. Haas has written a comic scenario that would have been right up the alley of Mike Nichols and Elaine May. (Look them up, young 'uns...). It's sweet, funny, and meets all the requirements of keeping kosher. Well done!

As someone who frequently wakes up at five a.m., thinking of how I'm going to try to solve problems with a play I'm writing, I could identify with "One" and "Another," the play's characters. Weibezahl has written a delightful tennis match between a writer and his conscience that should resonate with writers trying to write and even non-writers who are trying to solve life problems. Seems this would be easy to produce and would be a delightful part of any short-play festival.

I must say, I've not read anything like Busser's "bladder play." I can already hear audiences howling with laughter at the concept and execution, and kudos to the first theater company that provides a set with nine urinals. Without giving any more away, let me say I heartily recommend this crazy comic gem.

What a wonderful monologue for an actor, full of comic images, many opportunities for pithiness and sly, social commentary about the state of theater and the changes in audience perception and behavior. One can only imagine the caller leaving for the toilet during each act, falling asleep, opening candy wrappers or worse, eating one of those McDonalds burgers during the four hour romp of the play. Smith has ticked all the boxes of why attending a play is more challenging than ever.