Recommended by Steven G. Martin

"Blank Gay Profile" puts its hero through the ringer: self-disgust, self-deprecation, drunken disillusionment, and an (almost) mid-life crisis-like questioning of life achievements and choices. This is a funny, brutal, exhausting play.

Among the strengths of Bavoso's #AREASONABLEAMOUNTOFCAPS is its specificity. The time and location of this play are absolutely integral to understanding the characters and action.

Bublitz shows how a word or two, an action or two, can raise a person and her self-esteem or, in this case, deflate them. A wonderful short play.

What's an international super-spy to do when her arch-enemy has turned her into a child? Radtke's "Barcelona" combines strong characters, funny dialogue and more than a bit of physical humor and action. Plus, an ending line that summarizes the events perfectly.

Neil Radtke pulls out all the theatrical stops in this short play, starting with silly accents and a parody of crime investigation dramas. He piles on ridiculous -- yet biting -- expository monologues, meta-theater recognition and self-deprecating humor, then continues to build and expand the comedy until it reaches a climax that parodies shocking twist endings in modern entertainment ... and the audience is completely in on the fun from the first line. A comic gem.

A deft, dark exploration of personal power struggles and one-upmanship.

Haas has created a play of sisterly contrasts, beautiful imagery, and beliefs of the ultimate reward set at a time when people are at their most emotionally fragile. Haas explores the differences between the sisters, but she generously allows them to come to an understanding and connection rather than placing them in the muck of sibling rivalry. "Of Butterflies and Roses" is gentle, beautiful and humane.

Matthew Weaver satirically tweaks several subjects in "A New Play by Matthew Weaver" including himself, popular culture, technological innovations, the U.S. government as of 2018, theatre, historical experts and academics.

Audiences will root for invertebrates in this funny, theatrical and surprisingly touching gem of a short play.

What do we do after we realize the existence of powerful, mysterious forces that can destroy us on a whim? Weaver suggests we question our value, take solace in the beauty of what's known, and continue to live our lives.

Lying just under the pop culture references and the ass-kicking actions of our heroine Valerie is the harshness, stupidity and cruelty that she has faced. As a true heroine, however, she doesn't back down and instead is ready to fight for herself and others.