Recommended by Steven G. Martin

"Once Bitten" has glorious dialogue, plain and simple. It's all about the irony of the lines being apropos to the immediate situation of Dev and Lou trying to get their pet raccoon and the state of their relationship. It's funny, it's visual, it's a little frightening, it's active. And ultimately, it's thoughtful about struggling to justify a relationship that just isn't working. Funny, broad, but subtle as hell.

Bryce Gowey's "Toska" is an excellent adaptation of Anton Chekhov's short story. Yes there is humor thanks to the passengers Ivan drives in his cab, but Gowey uses deft skill to show the inability of people to connect and to feel empathy. Gowey shows isolation even when we're all close together.

"Because We Planted Flowers" shows a literal life-changing moment for all four of its characters. Aly Kantor's coming-of-age tale is more than just that, though: It's a cultural critique, a message of empowerment, a story of friendship and love and respect. It is about not only recognizing a problem, but ultimately offering a solution.

Rachel Zake fills "Your Love Makes Me Sick" with a healthy dose of comedy -- or in Bri's case, an unhealthy dose. This short play is packed with situational humor, setting humor, character humor, and physical humor. Plus dramatic irony that places Henry directly into the category of Sweet Yet Dumb Character Struck Blind (and deaf) by Love. And it all clips along; there's not a wasted moment.

Dan West's "Laundry Day" is a heartwarming depiction of supportive friendship between men. Is it a roommate drama with a fantastical perspective? Or a superhero drama that's more emotional than most? Forget labelling it, just enjoy this character-driven play with plenty of action, humor, and heart that also shows a life-altering moment.

"Our Father Who Art in Heaven" gives the feeling of a young person being invited to eat at the adults' table at a family event: That milestone of growing up and the world opening with new possibilities. Annette Daniels-Taylor beautifully dramatizes a moment when Angelina and LaKeisha, two sisters born years apart, grow closer as a family secret is brought out into the open. And the ending moments will leave an audience wanting so much more.

This is not the Biblical ark-in-the-flood story or protagonist you were expecting. Ken Love has created a flawed character who has fought for her life against a vengeful community, a lecher in sheep's clothing, and God's anger with the world via 40 days and 40 nights of rain. This monologue shines with the unnamed character's resilience and sense of self-worth.

"Sold As Is" has wonderful characters -- two sisters coming together with a plan -- and absolutely pristine comic time: a falling photo, a telephone call are just perfect. The given circumstances and satiric actions also hit hard and make Mildred Inez Lewis' short play even deeper with meaning. Love this script.

Annette Daniels-Taylor's historic drama hurts -- watching two Black men seemingly ready to begin a life together succumb to pressures of having to hide themselves, having to run from intense scrutiny hurts. "The Suitcase" is strengthened by strong characters, strong conflict and stakes, a prop that pulls double duty as a metaphor, and a spectrum of tones from hope to shock to realization to fear and, finally, betrayal and flight.

Terrific social satire by Bruce Deveau showing God isn't at work in this neighborhood. Only vile, extreme, blinkered human beings. The (heightened) extremes of this little group got me into a rage; thankfully the button at the end skewered them for their hypocrisy. More skewering, please.