Recommended by Steven G. Martin

Never cross a waitress/owner, it won't end well for you. Marj O'Neill-Butler proves the rule in this brisk back-and-forth comedy with strong characters, lots of action, a verbal takedown worthy of an MMA match, and a satisfying button. "Keeping Score" will be an audience favorite wherever it's produced.

Emmet L.F. Cameron has written a comedy rich in sour backstory and sweet characterization (and the audience will feel hope that Jess and Tess form at least a strong friendship with the promise of more picnics in the future). I'd love to see more stories of joy and connection in rural settings, and "Catfish Picnic" more than fits the bill.

This obsidian-dark and -shiny monologue is gasp-out-loud funny. What a character Emmy Potter has created: A juxtaposition of a Type-A, perky, influencer-type personality and the dark and deadly mischief she has gotten away with. And I love how shallow she is -- there is no reason for her actions other than self-actualization and YOLO. She is the lifestyle guru/advice columnist hopefully no one needs, but probably deserves. Terrific comedy.

Men must be better. Men must think better. Men must communicate better and listen better consider women's points of view better and stop presuming and assuming. "Last First Date" is tough to read and necessary.

I'm a little choked up. Along with charming, easygoing humor, a sense of action, visuals, and a ticking clock, Mathew Green shows us parents' next steps to consciously love and support their child. Brad and Gabby aren't doing anything revolutionary, and that's the point. "This Year's Princess Tea Party" eschews heavy melodrama and bombastic dialogue to focus on joy and love and support. And that love is going to reverberate for years.

"On the Harmful Effects of Intelligence" is terrific sci-fi. It runs the gamut of tone and emotion, from its unsettling opening images to wry commentary about trusting A.I. to the triumphant ending of mankind overcoming technology-created barriers. And, hey, you gotta love cheeky references to H.A.L. 9000 and Anton Chekhov.

This comedy feels like a combination of a dark Christopher Durang short play and "The Truman Show" -- and it works. The Reality Theatre as Fraud setting is nightmarish, Alan's understanding and growth make you feel good, and there's plenty of comic lines and moments with Dr. Young and the stage manager. "Therapy" is fun and a little scary.

I love how Lisa Attanasio has created a situation in "Grind" in which bitter, toxic, and competitive alphas and their actions are neutered. This short comedy is a critique of and escape from toxicity and its attempts to sour others.

A light, frothy comedic monologue rich with setting and time period. Betsy is the perfect heroine for Miller's script: Not comprehending quite as much as she thinks, not in charge quite as much as she thinks, perhaps not as worldly as she thinks. All of which leaves her scrambling, her young charge two steps ahead, and a reader smiling. "1909" is charming.

Flowers fade, scents fade, friendships fade too as Lucy Wang shows in this one-minute play. The themes are very thoughtful: acting with intention, with courtesy, valuing what otherwise is taken for granted. Wang deserves a bouquet.