Recommended by Steven G. Martin

This 10-minute play is a generous and sweet comedy about the nerves of meeting someone new and the good things that can happen when we open up about ourselves.

David Lipschutz has created two endearing characters in in Leah and Chava, both with details about their lives that they want to hide. There is a nice bit of dramatic irony as the audience will piece together the puzzle sooner than either of the characters, but that doesn't make "hYdration" any less rich and enjoyable.

Some people show care and express sympathy when their friends are in need. And then there's Taylor, the protagonist of this cringe-inducing, funny, short monologue.

Kara Cutruzzula's "The Little Things" is exactly that, a focus on trivial minutiae that comedically has no impact on the situation at hand. It's a delight to see a character who is this clueless and self-centered.

The exquisite charm of the dialogue that shows the friendship between woman and octopus is placed side-by-side against the cold reality of the condition of homelessness and mental health concerns. I found "Perfect Number" to be a contrast of beautiful and sweet set against sad and upsetting. It's a coral pink sphere atop a violently drawn squiggle.

Diana Burbano is exceptional in creating characters that an audience understands. Maxine's backstory, Octavia's dialogue, their commiseration over topics grand and small provide the audience with so much insight.

"Perfect Number" should have a strong, varied & lengthy production history. Produce it.

A brief dost of intimate moments -- forgiveness and sharing memories -- set against the direst of backdrops.

It feels like Jonathan Cook has turned this play into a telescope, one much more powerful than the Noble sisters have brought outside for this story. We see the bonds of the these three women reattach and firmly embrace, which is the extreme closeup the audience receives before Cook pulls back hard to remind us of the backdrop of the action.

I'd truly love to see a production of "When the Sun Goes Down" to experience all Cook has created.

This dark comedy has plenty of funny moments -- there's a pleasant joke at Robert Downey Jr.'s expense -- but it is solidly embedded in a Kafkaesque nightmare that offers no escape.

Jonathan Cook's premise in "Transferring Kyle" is bound to make audiences think about their own lives, or perhaps their lack of living life. The audience is going to feel a lot of sympathy for Kyle, and because of the rules Cook has created in this universe, may wonder about what their own futures hold.

"Transferring Kyle" justifiably has a long, rich production history, which should grow.

Desperate times call for desperate measures (it's been three years!), so Maria has made her choice.

Scott Mullen's romantic, farcical play "Coaster" provides a lot of opportunity for physical and vocal comedy as the two protagonists go screaming through the play and the roller coaster ride. There also is a genuine chemistry between Maria and Paul, and the ending is genuinely touching.

I watched a terrific virtual production of "Coaster" in May 2021 during Winding Road Theater Ensemble's "Eight 10s in Tucson."

This short play is a perfect blend of romance, science fiction, and even philosophy.

Ken Preuss should be recognized for his imagination about technical innovation -- and the invention of the Bliss-Band in "The Elusive Pursuit of Maximum Bliss" is a wonderful feat. But what powers this short play are the tried-and-true combination of character and need. Max and Elle complement one another as they react and counter-react to one another.

The theme of finding lasting love is the subject of many a fine play. "The Elusive Pursuit of Maximum Bliss" is an excellent example and should be produced often.

This short play is meant for Zoom or other virtual platforms. Robert Weibezahl makes the most of virtual platforms' features to create moments of intimacy, emphasize feelings of anger, and show new realities of what it means to gather.

But it isn't just the virtual platform that makes "Recipe" a strong play. Weibezahl creates distinctive character voices among this cast of five. The dialogue is excellent and the conflicts include both timeless and contemporary ones.

I watched a terrific production during Winding Road Theater Ensemble's "Eight 10s in Tucson" in 2021.

Never argue with a five-year-old holding a plunger.

"Gotta Go" is a brisk, quick, one-minute comedy that audiences will love. Well done, Mica Pointer!

This is a gleefully sadistic farce about workplaces and the people who survive them.

Catherine Castellani captures the maniacal (yet oddly fragile) egos of those in charge, the chameleon-like ability of their more collected underlings to do a myriad of tasks, the fake fakery of niceties so easily wiped away, and the desperation to leave.

"Work" is a wonderful comic farce that audiences will cheer.