Recommended by Steven G. Martin

An audience will have expectations where this workplace comedy will go. Those expectations will not be met because Greg Mandryk's thrown in twists that no one will see coming. Great dark fun.

You want to experience just how powerful art is? "The Mime's Garden" revels in it. This is the all-in, laugh-out-loud, what-the-heck, high-premise comedy that will leave an audience gasping. Kyle Phillips full-on commits to the craziness of the story and the action -- both the hilarious and the shocking. All four roles including the title character offer rich opportunities for actors. I loved seeing "The Mime's Garden" performed in summer 2025. I want to see it again.

Great comic wish list fun. I love that Emily and Roger let the genie out of the bottle. I also love that Chris Smith humanely lets them ratchet it down a notch or ten. "When the Mice are Away" would be a lot of fun in performance.

Nursing home residents unite! I love how Miss Eleanor has Jackie eating out of the palm of her hand. And I love that Debra A. Cole's 1-minute comedy could easily be performed with multiple emotional undertones.

Debra A. Cole has almost done the impossible: make me wish I drank coffee so I could experience the world of "2 Shots of Bailey." This is a sweet meet-cute and a big-hearted glimpse into feeling comfortable and confident in oneself. Lovely.

This is a sweet micro portrait of love, of remembering the past without being ensnared by it, of enjoying the here and now of the present (using volume control as needed). "I'm Sure You'll Hate to Hear That I Adore You, Dear" is a lovely addition to Sickles' "Destination: Wedding" microplay saga.

Jarring -- like walking on marbles, blindfolded, through a maze -- but in the best way. The audience is always a step behind the characters in knowing what's going on. But it's ultimately soothing, Granmo's thoughts on change and how we react to it. A bit experimental, a bit existential and thoughtful.

The audience will get goosebumps, their hair will stand on end, and they'll beg Janie run away. Julie Brandon's one-minute horror play will get to them.

John Busser's horror drama about existence, erasure, and technology has serious, permanent ramifications that add a nice weight to the play. This isn't just existential drama. Plus, it left me with a nagging feeling, asking myself, "If this just happened, did it already happen to someone else? What am I missing?" I'd love to see "This Person DID Exist" bookend a festival with its lighter companion piece "Steve of Absence." Bravo, John Busser, for looking at the story through dual lenses.

I love that John Busser bypasses existential crisis in this dark comedy about existence, creation, and technology. The serious, permanent ramifications add a nice weight to the play. I'd love to see "Steve of Absence" bookend a festival with its darker companion piece "This Person DID Exist." Bravo, John Busser, for looking at the story through dual lenses.