Recommended by Philip Middleton Williams

We have seen many versions of Mary Shelley's novel since it was published over 200 years ago, from James Whale's 1931 iconic film version to the hilarious Mel Brooks take in 1974, so we know the story. Monica Cross has distilled it to a tightly focused two-hander that examines with great care the relationship between the Creator and the Creation. It goes beyond the tropes and and the jokes and brings out the contrast in brilliant detail and power. Stunning work. (10/15/24)

There are some strange extremes some people will go to in order to rest assured that their kids will be in good hands after they shuffle off this screwy coil. Julie Zaffarano has come up with a doozy: a potential guardian with an odd sense of place, humor and... well, their musical skills need work. I got to share this in a reading and it was hard not to laugh at the most inappropriate time. Fast-paced, witty, and even touching in all the right ways. (10/12/24)

Sometimes the most meaningful conversations are those we have with ourselves. Gene Kato weaves us a tale of a writer trying to put his thoughts about his life into words, but he keeps being interrupted and inspired by the people who shaped his life in the past and the present. The atmosphere and the intensity of this play is balanced beautifully with insightful humor and sympathetic magic in the words and the relationships. I truly hope this play makes it to the stage. (10/9/24)

If this really was based on a true story, I'm sure Adam Richter told it better than some dry old history book. He shared it with me in a reading with friends and I loved the pacing and the witty dialogue, making it primed for a production of an immortal Monty Python scene from "The Crucible." The allegorical theme is a spot-on take on rumor-mongering and fake news. Huzzah! (10/06/24)

I loved this deceptively simple tale of Emily trying to get back something that was lost. In doing so, Steven G. Martin has all the elements of longing, grief, renewal, and even hope as seen in Emily. There is a familiar harmonic with a story we all should know, but even if the audience doesn't make the connection, the strength of the characters and their lives comes through in its universal honesty without being sentimental. (10/06/24)

I love a good police procedural, so this "ripped from the headlines" tale by Allan Maule takes us to a level that Det. Lenny Briscoe and D.A. Jack McCoy ("Law & Order") would be hard-pressed to figure out what really happened on the night in question. The deft writing and plot twists keep you guessing, and like any good story, even when the police arrive on scene, you're not sure what really happened and who's telling the truth (Dun-Dun!) This is one for the stage. (10/5/24)

I've been a fan of John Adams' work for years with his wry look at life and always through the lens of intelligent humor and very relatable and often hilarious stories. In this short piece presented at the Midwest Dramatists Conference 2024, he introduces us to Gideon and Jax; Gideon the uptight protector of certain secrets, and Jax, a young man with charm and sex appeal that gives Gideon more to think about than just finding what he's looking for. A gem on all counts. (10/5/24)

The personality clashes in this short piece are cringe-worthy for all the right reasons because we see that Natalie is using her outdoor voice and behavior to cover for her near-panic, and Katherine, who uses her attention and responses to Natalie to calm her own trepidation. It is a mismatch that works on all levels, and watching these two people find their way is deeply meaningful. (10/5/24)

While the setting and the set-up may be familiar -- I've written more than one myself -- the two women in the clinic waiting room share their lives in ways that go beyond the usual and get you to listen and care so much for them that you want to be with them and care about them beyond the end. Very touching and powerful. (10/5/24)

The stars have always been a mystery to us. Legends tell us that they guide our fate, grant us wishes, predict the future, and even if the nearest one is light-years away, they are as close to us as the touch of a hand or the arms of a loved one. In this exchange between two people as shown at the Midwest Dramatists Conference, we are with them in their journey. A lovely and haunting play. (10/5/24)