Recommended by Elizabeth A. M. Keel

Deliciously funny, and an immediate crowd pleaser. I was so charmed by the depth, motivation, and sweetness of the characters. (I'd buy a Dede lunchbox in a heartbeat.) Ms. Bioh does a great job of using touch points to orient folks who might not know much about Nigerian cinema, but who can connect to pop culture from the 90s. The movie magic of Nollywood filters into the theatrical space of the story, blending mediums in a way that's utterly dreamy.

Gotta love a cast of three women. I so valued seeing the three generations at play, and the differing points of view, especially with the crackling energy of the core theme: history repeats itself. I loved this script, even though it hurt to sit with. There's no pretty bow tied on at the end; the fight for truth and knowledge goes on.

Oh my goodness, yes, this is PRECIOUS. I was utterly charmed. This is populist, accessible sci-fi, and I am so here for it. Jasmine represents such a fun night out for families with older 10-12 year olds who don’t want the smarm of younger children’s theatre. It’s good for school matinees or for adults. (Todd, the romantic, and Craig, the long-suffering uncle, will steal the show.) I could hear an audience coming to life and live-reacting while reading it. Fun, fun, fun - with a healthy dose of ethics blended in.

What a strong play. I did have to take a lap to calm down and stop seeing waves of red after reading - the historical sexism is STRONG. But it was fascinating to see this moment in time explored. Predictor reaches back to audiences who remember what life was like before home pregnancies were readily available, and out to those who don't really understand the full scope of the literal barriers that stood in pregnant peoples’ way.

What a stunner. The depth and breadth of feeling that was captured in this play was so vast - across time, generations, religions, temperaments, and terrain - that I came up out of the reading startled to have not literally travelled. It was a gift to visit with all of the grandparents in the play, dazzling in their imperfect humanity, and reflect on my own lost four. Congratulations to you, Jake. I hope it has a long, vibrant life in productions around the world.

This warm and vulnerable four-hander embodies the notion that the only constant is change. As Sarah and Jake find the courage to try again (and again) with each other, we are urged to find similar embers of courage to fan once more within ourselves.

Falling Star features a great role for an older teen actor (NB or F). As the next generation inherits a sky cluttered with space debris, Vega's impatient hope to get to work is thwarted by well meaning but ultimately earthbound and micro-focused parents. Clever, near-future sci-fi that delves into autonomy over one's wishes, in both life and death.

DIASPORA! straddles time, realities, and vast canyons of meaning. In 1952, a black woman and a white man dare to love each other and argue civil cases against Boston's overly brutal police force. In modern day, Sunny is attempting to unravel her mysterious history after the death of her sister, and the near-indoctrination of her niece Janae into a separatist cult. Sunny's roommate, Patrick, is a white man in love with a Korean scientist, John, and they are simultaneously debating whether their relationship can succeed. Rich, delicious, magical, *radiant*, DIASPORA! is a layered treat guaranteed to evoke meaningful conversation.

I'm so glad I was able to witness a reading at the Great Plains Theatre Commons (2022). BODY + BLOOD is a homily unto itself, and one that will follow you out of the room and back into your community. The play delivers a mellifluous ensemble that yearns to answer: How have any of us maintained our faith - in anything, in any form - in this darkening world? (Read it now and find out! *Contains three excellent roles for trans men, in case anyone is seeking particularly suitable material.*)

It's not often a play makes me full-on belly laugh. Hats off to STAINS and its lead character, Christine, a brilliant but stymied teen girl. There is a radiant, exasperated love *glowing* in the memories playwright Cho has gifted us with, including a mother and grandmother who are instantly unique and universal in equal measure. It takes some mighty, mighty girl guts to be this honest. A+++