Recommended by Scott Sickles

Anyone with even a passing familiarity with Kierkegaard's Fear and Trembling... (#SlingsAndArrowsHomage.)

But seriously, folks, don't let the title fool you. I expected something delicate and fraught filled with pain, regret, and tender silences. I did not expect SASSY!!!

And SASSY it is! Or rather, Isaac is. Bavoso's characterizations are classically modern, blisteringly funny, and indeed fraught with pain, regret, and tenderness amidst the cavalcade of angry banter. He also explores theology, faith, and the real world ramifications in the aftermath of God changing His mind. It only begins with "can you imagine that conversation" and then it soars!

What's amazing here is that almost nothing happens... and yet it's utterly creepy, breath-holdingly suspenseful, gasp-worthy terror. Prillaman takes an unseen water stain on a ceiling, and turns it into a portal to history -- one we are helpless to change, that may have nothing to do with us, but is nevertheless there, There, THERE. The narrative is reliant on sounds which can be precorded or, perhaps more effectively, done live. What is and is not noticed by each character intensifies the unease. It also has one of my favorite lines ever, and the ending is exquisite. Classic Prillaman.

In a sea of artfully egregeous groaners, there’s some masterful absurdism here. Using wordplay, rhythm, innuendo, and just plain silliness, Corona fashions a wicked social commentary about conservative news, entertainment news, the media’s and the public’s fixation with celebrity (especially royality), and ultimately humanity. It gets deeper the more you think about it, which makes it even more enjoyable after you’ve stopped reading it. Talk about absurd!

Everyone should read this ALOUD.
Especially every cisgender person. Especially every straight cisgender person.
Especially every straight cisgender male person.
Every person, whoever they are, who doesn’t understand “why anyone would do that to their body.”
This piece is a poetic eye-opener, even for allies, because we allies don’t know what it’s like to live in a trans body. To think with a trans mind. To feel with a trans heart. To fear these fears, to channel this anger, to want this unattainable simplicity.
To not be able to ride trains.

A delightful deadpan template of how the powerful manage all kinds of crisis from time management to world diplomacy to the threat of a tarnished reputation. Not to mention breakfast.

The language and rhythms, not to mention who is standing and who is sitting, create a clear power dynamic. There's something almost idealistic these days about an oligarch who remains calm and doesn't berate their minion when they make a minor mistake. Such are the trappings of good manners...

A beautifully concise bit of satire that makes its points with subtle power.

Existential ennui can seriously compromise one's tolerance to alcohol and, consequently, others' ability to tolerate you. Wyndham creates a drunken soliloquy as symphonic as it is trashy. A great character but an awful person to be stuck in a hotel conference with, "Slosha" keeps the revelations coming in payoff after payoff. A great, brassy audition piece that's perfect training for the proper way to play a drunk scene. Lots a beats for actors to make decisions to optimize the monologue to their personas. And great fun to just read aloud!

Atmospheric and suspenseful with enough chat about the supernatural to keep you worried that it might become a problem, GRAVESTONES is a gorgeous character study. Kendall tackles large social themes (family, legacy, urban development, government, life after death) so casually and organically that one immediately feels drawn into the world of these three characters. We know right away that the stakes are high, at least for Camille, but her reasons are revealed elegantly at just the right moment. Her quiet determination is a poetic contrast to Cooper and David’s fears and aspirations. The ending is exquisite.

Some great ideas are so simple, so clear, so obviously delightful, one wonders why no one thought of them before!!! The reason is clear: the idea itself was waiting for the right steward. And there is clearly no better steward for THE BEAR than Christopher Plumridge.

Plumridge gives us a teddy bear scenario unlike any other (at least so far as I've seen) filled with macabre humor, suspense, and a depraved adorability.

Read this aloud many times with different voices. Find the Teddy that is you. And actors: you'll want to sink your teeth into this! Wonderful!

A simple and beautiful piece celebrating education, knowledge, and the power of the written word. None of these things are as widely valued as they should be these days and Williams not only advocates for them but also for their safekeeping for they are in constant peril.

The monologue would make a strong audition piece for any actor.

A simple and beautiful piece celebrating education, knowledge, and the power of the written word. None of these things are as widely valued as they should be these days and Williams not only advocates for them but also for their safekeeping for they are in constant peril.

The monologue would make a strong audition piece for any actor.