Recommended by Philip Middleton Williams

The pen is mightier than the sword... or, in this case, an automatic weapon. In this powerful piece even the most determined interrogator shows signs of grasping the power wielded by a nearly-blind poet at his mercy. More than just a battle of wits between two well-armed -- in both senses -- opponents, J. Lois Diamond shows nuance, understanding, and even humor that brings dimension to both.

Families are universal, and that simple fact of life has been explored by playwrights from Sophocles to the plays here on NPX. But with Vanessa Garcia's touch of both gentle humor and sharp observation as well as strong characters, she brings us a family life that we may not know specifically but can understand instinctively. I knew exactly what Ms. Garcia wanted to tell me through them, and I felt every twist and turn and painful choice and even the moments of joy. This play may take place in a specific place, but it's in all of our hearts.

It only takes a minute to figure out the lifetime of a relationship, and Adam Richter does it to a T... pun intended.

You might not identify with either of the characters in this moment, but you know them, and that's what makes it work.

The set-up is right out of Neil Simon -- two very different dudes sharing an apartment -- but the resolution is anything but Oscar and Felix and well worth reading. Daniel Guyton has a lot of fun in a short time and nothing is wasted. The payoff is perfect and makes you want to see it all over again.

This is an achingly familiar story to me, and I mean that in the best possible way. At fifteen, I was Ian. In some ways, I still am. Hilary Bluestein-Lyons knows how to convey the depth of the feelings that Ian has for Caleb, only he can't bring himself to do anything but ramble on, his shields at maximum. There's also a sense of empathy from Caleb, who genuinely missed Ian's friendship and is hurt by it. You hope at the end that somehow these two will find the connection each wants, even if it's not exactly right.

This play touched me deeply. Jan Probst's skill with words, feelings, and characters is so true to the reality of life for people who are advancing in years and showing the wisdom that comes with it. I heard it read at the 2021 Valdez Theatre Conference and felt as if I knew Edna all my life, and the parallel with my own experience with my mom brought me to tears. Thank you, Jan, for this beautiful and life-affirming story.

A mixture of "No Exit" and "Twilight Zone" with a cast of characters that represent the best and worst of us, Tom David Barna gives us a ride that shows us that what we take for granted is anything but normal. Both chilling and humorous, and therefore very real, this short play as read at the 2021 Valdez Theatre Conference makes us think about and evaluate ourselves and those with us in a powerful way.

Greg Romero has a lyrical and mystical approach to his writing that reveals an insight to the subject matter, even when it deals with a trauma. But instead of minimizing the impact, it brings a level of understanding and depth that makes the characters and the events all the more powerful. I saw a reading of this play at the 2021 Valdez Theatre Conference, and it stays with me even now.

I saw a reading of this play at the Valdez Theatre Conference in June 2021 and admired the deft skill and craftsmanship that Jared Michael Delaney brings to the story of Shakespeare's legendary knight and royal companion. Without missing a beat of the Bard's tone and poetry, we see a young man with much potential and charm who is hobbled by his own self-doubts and missed chances. The supporting characters are richly dimensional, and not without humor and wit. Even those of us who are not Shakespeare-scholarly will find this play to be a joy to see and read.

I saw a reading of this play at the 2021 Valdez Theatre Conference and was instantly brought into the poetry, the harsh climate and society, and the tough love that these companions share. Eric Moore's characters leap off the page and wrap you tightly in their world, warts and unrequited love and all, and his shimmering and powerful words, humor, and above all sense of depth will stun you. I hope to see this on stage and relish this playwright's absolute love of the form and how he takes us beyond it. Bravo, Eric, bravo.