Recommended by Philip Middleton Williams

There's a style of writing called lyric realism. It is seen in the works of playwright Lanford Wilson and novelist William Price Fox, and I've often wished I could emulate them. But in the capable hands of Douglas Gearhart, it comes naturally to him, giving us characters and locations that need just a few well-chosen words to tell the tale and create their world, and better him than me or a lot of other writers. "Headed South" is one of his best.

Ellen has discovered the way to put an end to the Zombie Apocalypse. All you have to do is... Wait. I can't tell you. You have to find out by yourself. But here's a little hint: I hope you like Kenny G.

Rand's reputation as a jokey playwright is well-established, and this short piece confirms that. And even if you're not into "The Walking Dead" and its undead series of sequels, prequels, and merchandising, this play will inform you, as well as teach you a bit about cranial anatomy.

We do not get to choose our biological family, but sometimes the family we do choose can have stronger links and meaning than the ones where DNA is the common thread. In this poignant, passionate, and most assuredly family-centered story, Sam Heyman has a rich and varied collection of characters who try their best to live and love and stumble and fall in the process. But somehow, through strength and will, they find a way, however difficult the path may be. This will be a powerhouse on stage.

The Pastry Aisle: The final frontier? When intelligent life from another world finally deigns to visit Earth, it comes in the form of... well, you will find out that Bob has but one mission. Christopher Soucy's vast talent for creativity is on full warp drive here in this delicious sugar-laden adventure. But beware the perils of ... well, you'll find out.

Knives -- or blades -- come out in this hilarious and all-too-real take on the world of competitive ice skating and cosmetic product placement. Aly Kantor doesn't miss a beat or an axel in this short, sharp and shocking parody, and it is perfect for young actors and their friends who will have fun to no end.

Several geological ages ago there was a game show called "Queen for a Day." Ladies would come on stage and tell their tragic story, and the most piteous, voted by an audience applause meter, would be showered with gifts, a crown, and set on a throne. Miranda Jonte has turned this idea into a genuinely satirical look at how we deal with our all-too-human nature to wallow in someone else's suffering, and in doing so, turns the light on us. Funny at the outset, but humanly true at the end.

There have been dramas of fathers and sons since time out of mind; from the Greeks to last week, and I've written my share. But in this spare and powerful story of Gus and Marcus, each is confronted by the hazards that life throws at them -- school, family, separation, and harsh reality -- and yet with each punch, they find a way to not just survive but grow. Douglas Gearhart's gift for being able to tell the story with meaning in each word and moment shines through the darkness.

Life's truths may be the pursuit of philosophers and poets, but Debbie is able to sum it up in a sweet melange of pastry and filling from the bakery counter, and it all makes perfect sense. Christopher Soucy's characters and situation are so relatable that it's hard to imagine any other way of looking at life than through sugar and filling.

Is it murder or just a klutzy corpse-to-be? [Dun-dun!] Ripped from the headlines, or at least from the annals of "CSI" meets the first half of "Law & Order," Scott Sickles gives us a mystery to solve and Christmas Eve dinner to prepare. As with all of his works, nothing is left to chance and the cleverness abounds. Throw in a touch of punctured romance and regret and it's the perfect crime-story. Or is it? Tune in to the podcast and find out!

I was all aboard this two-hander about strangers on a train from the moment it left the station. (Okay, enough railroad allusions.) This is a nice moment in the lives of two people with different faiths finding common ground in their differences and avoiding stereotypes and character tropes as they travel through the scenery that only enhances the narrative. Moments like these are to be cherished, and Nora Louise Syran does it so well.