Recommended by Philip Middleton Williams

I've been to modern art shows such as Art Basel, prowled through galleries hosted by eager dealers, shadowed by the artists, waiting for my response to their work; a sign -- any sign of reaction -- to validate or (horrors!) judge their lifeblood efforts. (By the way, visual artists aren't the only ones who do that...) Jack Levine's perspectives on this world is on full display in "Perspectives" with wit, charm, humor, and a wry sprinkling of cynicism that make this worth taking a look at and putting on display.

This short play touched me in several ways, not the least in how Stephen Kaplan skillfully weaves the tale of the former student and his idolized teacher and their re-connection in an eerily familiar place. As a former teacher, I felt it deeply, remembering the responsibility I had to my students and what I was teaching them, but also learning from them as much. I was reminded of the line from "The King and I": "If you become a teacher, by your students you'll be taught." This is a wonderful way to show that truth.

The title sounds like a set-up for a tasteless joke. It's anything but, even though it does have a wry and dry wit and humor, in no small way on behalf of Helen Keller herself. Stephen Kaplan brings us into their world and it's a gentle yet powerful awakening to elements of art that go beyond sight and sound.

I wonder how many people reach this point in their journey of faith and practice and then take the next inexorable step. Steven G. Martin poses these questions and provides a powerful setting to ask them and leave you wondering what you would do in this situation.

Yes. This play is everything we hold dear in our creative abilities and proves that craft and skill don't need something as mundane as the tools we use. It is how we express ourselves that matters the most.

A turn on the Oscar Wilde tale with high school students for whom Picture Day becomes a lesson in life and holding on to the present. John Busser uses the situation to good effect by painting the picture of typical high school kids in an atypical situation. It's fun, but also has the moral of a story that might be told by Rod Serling.

A mystery piece with a Hitchcock-noir twist. Great set-up and good fun.

Like much of Matthew Weaver's work, there's true heart, love, and truly epic punny humor in this tale of dedication to a community and selfless giving of oneself (not to mention body parts). This will be fun to see on stage, rife with imaginative acting and choreography and delight for the audience.

And it answers the long-sought after question: "Oh, so THAT's where that expression comes from."

Yeah, this ain't no "Miracle on 34th Street" scene. Well, it could be if it's staged by the Grand Guignol troupe on their way to the Sweeney Todd reunion...

Note to self: don't ask Scott Sickles to lend a hand.

Ah, the course of true love never did run smooth... And Bradford tries to love not wisely... until the green-eyed monster is replaced by something blue...

It's always refreshing to find a writer who not only appreciates the classics but knows just how to use them to a fare-thee-well.