Recommended by Philip Middleton Williams

We go through many stages of life and the awareness of it, but Steven G. Martin has chosen three that are moments that stand out because at each of these three stages, we foolishly think we have reached the peak of knowledge and wisdom. But if it were so, then we haven't learned a thing, and in this play we see how much we have yet to learn. The metaphor of packing and preparing for journey ahead is a subtle reminder that not everything we cherish needs to be taken along. Thank you, Steven.

"The Cask of Amontillado" was the first story by Edgar Allan Poe that I read, and it shook me not just in the telling but in the idea of enacting vengeance on a tormentor. Steven G. Martin's adaptation of this story for the stage is powerful not only for the staging and the imaginative design possibilities and the roles to be played, but for setting it in the tale-teller's last moments and his admission of the crime. And yet you wonder if he is seeking absolution or affirmation of his actions, which makes the story all that much more stunning.

A gentle reminder to actors that as the immortal Avery Schreiber once said, "There are no small parts; just short pay." Eric's wistful remembrance of his long career of playing bit parts is charming, honest, and in the end hopeful that while he may never get the big call, he'll still do his best in every part he gets. And failing that, there's always playwriting.

Wayne Firestone's one-minute play says more in that time than some full-lengths, and does it with character, meaning, and impact.

A witty cautionary tale about taking yourself far too seriously, especially when the stakes are so low. I am willing to bet that more than a few people who have read or seen this play will either nod sagely -- or squirm uncomfortably -- with the understanding of having been in this situation, either on the giving or the receiving end of it. It's a great reminder that maturity doesn't always bring wisdom, often with hilarious and meaningful results.

The set-up is great, the tension is taut, and the outcome is --

What, you think I'm gonna tell you?

Human nature looks for something in common when we meet someone: a similar upbringing, the same hometown, mutual interests; something to connect and validate our own lives and affirm that we're not alone. In this sweet little two-hander, Jack Levine finds common ground between two seemingly very different people and make a tenuous connection -- as flimsy as a soap bubble -- but even bubbles can form a foundation.

Okay, full disclosure: I have a soft spot for dogs, and this romp with Archibald and his new acquaintance had me from the first. The dialogue is spot-on, the action and moments are truly engaging, and the real kicker is that you know each one of them so well... maybe you even have Archibald or Lucy sharing their lives with you. A must for any show, canine or otherwise.

For a lot of people, a high school reunion is a great time to catch up with friends from the past and remember good times. For some, you wonder why they go at all; bringing back painful and scarred times, rivalries, and the inevitable regression to their teenage behavior and angst. In this bittersweet and often sardonically humorous play, Alan Safier brings together old acquaintances who may be in their 60's but still carry those old schoolbooks. Echoes of "That Championship Season" and "The Big Chill" come through with characters that you know and times you think you remember.

You know what I hate about all these self-indulgent Matthew Weaver plays? Nothing. They are all fun, different, ingenious, genuine, and this gem is definitely not terrible. So, go read this one, and while you're at it, write one.