Recommended by Philip Middleton Williams

Baseball has been called a metaphor for life. While that may be an overworked comparison, Mildred Lewis reminds us through this gentle and loving tribute to diehard fans that connections that are made by sharing a love for the game go beyond the stadium and the season. We share joy, sorrow, and extra innings... and yes, a beer tastes better outside shared with a good friend.

Two people chatting in a bar, catching up, comparing notes on their social life -- or lack of it -- and then, almost by accident, discover there's something more. No, it's not a meet-cute; in fact, it could be just the opposite, but in this scenario, it reveals a human-ness and awareness that you don't often see portrayed so well on stage and in such a short and neat way. I felt like I was eavesdropping on Jen and Matt, and while that may be unacceptable, I'm glad I did because I learned something about them... and myself.

The idea that the immortal Bard would get a notice that includes "Unfortunately..." in the opening stanza is ingenious, and Ken Levine makes it all the better with his celebrated deadpan humor.

This premise should guarantee admission to any short play festival (wouldn't it be ironic if it wasn't?).

It would be nice if we could re-write the past as these three friends try to do. But is it real or just an act... or something deeper? Are truths revealed, or is it just theatre? And if it's just theatre, doesn't theatre reveal the truths that can't be said in real life? It's complicated... Or is it?

This would be a fun piece to explore with actors and an audience.

You do not have to know anything about Hollywood or the star system and the people who made it work to love this tight and beautifully woven combination of love, farce, and recollection of legends who, when you get right down to it, were people with lives, flaws, and the needs that we all share. You may recognize the real people behind the names and events, but even if not, it is a revealing and loving -- and at times hilarious -- tribute to them and their humanity. That's the glory of love.

This is a very satisfying piece for those of us who sometimes find themselves thinking that actors are little more than props with feet. Jack Levine skewers the overcooked ham deftly and serves him up on a platter. And meanwhile, a star is born.

Normally apocalyptic stories do not get much attention from me because they seem to have just one outcome. It may be hopeful or dire, but it is predictable. Not so with this one, and I stayed with it all the way through precisely because it did not follow the trope. Kudos to Jacquelyn Floyd-Priskorn for her deft writing and thoroughly engaging characters.

Even though the title was a giveaway for me, it was still a delight to read this glittering gem from DC Cathro. And I so want to be with Randy when he finally lets go.

Ken Levine nails the ten-minute play and all that comes with them in perfect rhythm.

This is the dinner-table discussion to top them all. Now, I know we all have our little peccadilloes when it comes to eating preferences -- oh please don't get me started -- but this little moment takes us to the next level. No, not really the next level. It's more like the next level if the next level is exponentially ten times up from that last one. Don't believe me? Read it and find out. Please.

(And to think I once had dinner with Steven Hayet...)