Recommended by Steven G. Martin

Paul Donnelly creates very specific characters and very sad given circumstances in "The Pity Mourner," which would make me cry. But when Donnelly introduces a bit of kindness, options blossom for the reserved and perhaps dour Margaret. It feels that she has made a life-altering decision in this short play. I'd love to read more of her and Archie's story.

This short play is pure comedy: people doing and saying bad things while under pressure. "Fresh Hell" is brisk, cringe-inducing, rude, and nonstop.

Vince Gatton reminds us that after the climax of a tumultuous event, there's still the resolution to navigate. "A Grove, Again" doesn't build false hopes for a happy ending; it's far more humane than that in showing that life is a process. Audiences will enjoy this good, subtle story.

Brian Cern shows outstanding skill in developing the complex characters and backstory in "A Savanna Story." The audience is going to understand these characters and see their similarities, even when they're also vastly different (and may not immediately see the similarities themselves).

I also love that Cern has dramatized a life-changing moment for Abdelkerim and Pete. There are active choices being made in real time, and all of them are weighty. The opening image is fraught with tension, the stakes are clear, and the climax is unexpected and satisfying.

Bruce Walsh's dialogue in "Brambles" is sensational: From rote reactions to beautiful descriptions of bliss and contentment to harsh summaries of the reality of life to pleas for connection and more. It's wonderful dialogue that accentuates characters and the situation and, in the best way, offers more questions than it answers. "Brambles" is sad, but beautiful and lived in.

Hope versus reality. Lucy Wang wears her heart on her sleeve in this sometimes funny, very painful monologue about her relationship with her mother.

Bryan Stubbles writes plays no one else dares.

"Wheatgrass Smoothie Blues" is very funny and very dark. The situation is remarkable -- it's Jonestown at the Food Court. The dialogue is wonderful -- I laughed out loud and cringed in equal turn. And the characters -- Stubbles makes you hate the hipsters one moment, cheer for them the next, and then hate them again in rapid succession. (I guess they're not so bad when compared to a psychopathic, megalomaniac cult leader.)

"Wheatgrass Smoothie Blues" is astounding. Audiences and actors alike will love it.

Heartbreaking for an audience, regardless of whether they're someone being cared for or close to the age of being cared for, someone doing the caring or close to the age of doing the caring, or someone young enough to have a million unencumbered dreams. Cam Eickmeyer shows great understanding for all of the characters, but none of them are living their best life. It's heartbreaking.

Audiences loved this play when it was performed at my local community theater. First, the visual of a live actor playing Zoltan, an arcade fortune teller, is hilarious. Second, Zoltan's quips at the start of the play to zing the characters' flaws are very funny. But boy, does the tone change at the end. I felt myself move from laughing to feeling bad about the awkward truths about Charlie and Rebecca.

Funny on so many levels. :) Yes, Adam Richter is taking a shot at "Moby-Dick," but I love the ending that takes a jab at commercialism.