Recommended by Dave Osmundsen

As someone who isn't TOO much of a dog person, and finds obsessive dog-lovers a bit overbearing, I got a kick out of this monologue. While I wouldn't dream of doing what Sylvia does, I completely understand her actions. Which is horrifying.

Reminiscent of "Tuesdays with Morrie" with a touch of "4,000 Miles," this is a brief, tender drama about how one young man grieves the sudden death of his former teacher. The protagonist's grief is laid bare for the audience to see, and Deray doesn't shy away from the grieving process. Beyond that, the play is a warm and gentle exploration of one man's journey to getting unstuck in his life, and how those who were once there for us (and the memories that resurface) come back to haunt us for better and for worse.

"Gypsy" is one of my favorite musicals, so naturally, I enjoyed the in-jokes and references to that show in this play. But beyond that, this is a story of one woman fighting for her legacy, and how she lives with an enduring (for better or worse) portrayal of her. DeVita cleverly plays with time, and the play often feels as if you are stepping into a surreal landscape of a long, theatrical memory. This play asks a bittersweet question: Will it ultimately matter HOW we're remembered, since most aren't remembered at all? This question gives the play depth and poignancy.

I LOVE this smart, funny, heart wrenching and tender short play. In ten pages, it breaks your heart and puts it back together again. To me, this play was about how much we know, how much we think we know, and what we definitely do not know. And what it takes to forgive our past selves. And that sometimes, we just need to trust the journey. Well done!

Reminiscent of non-linear relationship plays such as "Gruesome Playground Injuries" and "Bright Half Life," this play explores the complex relationship between two broken people over the course of nearly three decades. Ching jumps back and forth in time to examine the people Max and Diana were so that by the end of the play, the audience has a full, complete picture of who they are as people. Ching also imbues these characters with warmth and humor--they are both the best and the worst each other, but we still root for them to find happiness. Check it out!

A wildly theatrical, unabashedly political, and daringly poetic piece of theatre that takes traditionally American myths and gives them a uniquely queer angle. The centerpiece of the play is Tamit, a young Native American gender non-conforming individual who is coming to terms with their identity. Around their emotional journey, the play deftly explores our relationship with our heritage, our history, and the very definition of "family." I can imagine a director having a field day working with the Magical Realism elements in Diaz-Marcano's script, and actors having a great time delivering his bold and profound dialogue.

A beautifully crafted story not just of being gay, but also the complexities of love, friendship, adolescence, sexuality, and how the past haunts us. DeVita's characters are some of the most believable, realistic, and human characters I've come across in a while, complete with flaws and humor. It was really easy to hear and see the dialogue being performed in my head. There is also a strong sense of the Long Island/Catholic milieu. The role that time plays in this piece is well-done through beautifully executed flashbacks. I can't wait to see this staged soon!

I listened to this play on the Parsnip Ship podcast. What a tender, touching, human play! Goldman-Sherman writes her characters with such care that you walk away understanding each and every one of them. Although it's a heavily political play, it also talks about intimate themes such as family, identity, and one's relationship with the past on a macro and micro scale. A heartfelt call for unity, "Abraham's Daughters" is the kind of play that will make you want to be a better person.

A thrillingly theatrical poem of a play that tackles head-on the bullies, the bullied, and the bystander. Hageman has a knack for writing sentences that punch you in the gut with their beauty and precision. The message is bittersweet-- that even taking a stand may not completely eradicate the hunters, but at least we don't have to face them alone. I love how flexible the staging for this play is--it practically screams to be choreographed! Check this play out.

Wow. Salsbury has written a really powerful piece here. Gorgeously poetic language that just wrings grief, sorrow, and devastation. There are glimmers of happier moments, yes, but that only makes the situation even more heartbreaking. The final moments--when it all came together for me--are simultaneously comforting and shattering. Read this play.