Recommended by Philip Middleton Williams

This is what happens when trying to be politically correct runs headlong into common sense. Something's gotta give, and the good intentions of these teachers becomes a farce of pretzel logic. Kelly McBurnette-Andronicos deftly navigates these hazards without rancor or meanness, and that makes it all the more truthful and funny. (9/28/24)

Cats are by nature predators, so their suspicions and senses are heightened when something new appears in their realm, even if it something as innocuous as a cardboard box. They must examine it, never letting down their guard, and then proclaim dominance. They would never admit to allowing that it provides pleasure; that would be an admission of weakness, and there must never be any evidence that they like this new presence to their liking. You never saw it, did you? Of course not. (09/23/24)

There have always been stories about families: Adam and Eve, Medea, Oedipus, Hamlet, the Lomans -- you get the idea. Each one is different, but there are connections in every one. Marshall Logan Gibbs gives us a family that has all the elements necessary for a powerful story as any of the aforementioned clans, and the quirks and peccadilloes make them human, vulnerable, and even lovable. Mom and Dad and son and daughter are all their own characters, but they are all in the family. (9/19/24)

I am usually leery of plays about old men sitting on a park bench complaining about their kids because they're either written by people who are too young to know what old people are really like, or they're written by old people who play to the stereotypes. But speaking as an old guy (72), Adam Richter gets it right in this moment, and it's like he's been listening in when I'm with my friends. I know Walt and Stan, and you will, too. (09/17/24)

April 1989: A kitchen in a house in Longmont, Colorado. I'm trying to figure out how to put a collar on Sam, a squirming puppy who insists on licking my face. I close my eyes and send a message far into the future to my friend John Busser and relay this moment so he will immortalize it for the ages. And now that message has been received and so well done. Good dog!

I loved the balance of hope and desperation, taken together that give Nancy the courage tempered by the uncertainty so many of us can understand, to take the first tentative steps out of her self-imposed exile. I wanted to say "you've got this," and cheer her on. Darrin J. Friedman has a fine ear for what she's going through, and I would love to see this performed.

I'm of an age where stand-up comics were the staple of TV variety shows and Vegas acts as well as the Catskills summers and Miami Beach winters. It was old-school -- "Take my wife, please" -- and this quick and hilarious piece by Norkin & Busser -- a comedy duo if there ever was one -- pays tribute to the old days by going back to the really old days. You can't miss a word, and I chuckled at the timeless -- literally -- set-ups and rim-shots. Bravo!

Yep. And this is why sobriety chips come in a variety of colors.

I saw this performed by John Rubinstein and directed by Peter Ellenstein at the 2024 Valdez Theatre Conference. It is an amazing piece of theater, not just for historical value but also for bringing the man and his time alive. Dwight Eisenhower’s insight into history and what Americas role in the world is inspiring, even more so today. Thank you, Richard, it’s a beautiful play.

I was treated to a fine performance of this charming and funny play at the Miami One-Acts Summer Session 24, and it brought the house down. Lois has it all planned out to meet the perfect man, checking all the right boxes. The unfortunate men, quirks and all, are no match for her requirements, but karma steps in and deals her a perfect payback. Although it is aimed at us older folks, there's no doubt that this scenario could apply to any age group, and so it should be. Brava, Marj!