Recommended by Bethany Dickens Assaf

Sweet, lovely, authentic - just pure magic! Mark Harvey Levine does it again with a highly original premise that leads to terrific comedy, relateable conflict, and a twist that - ironically - the audience sees coming before the protagonist (read the play to get the irony!). A very special, meticulously-crafted short play.

Wow. I cannot say enough about this play's lyrical creativity and heartbreaking, honest dialogue. The metaphor of fireflies is simultaneously rich and yet treated with a light tenderness that draws you deeply into the playwright's expression of a former, younger, more innocent self. I can't remember the last time I read a play that captured adolescence so empathetically, and with such a wise and earned hope.

Theatrical, witty, and gorgeously profound, "Cabfare for the Common Man" is a breakneck journey through young life, with all of its joys and heartbreaks reflected in a piece that also happens to be very, very funny. This is one of those plays that you dream of seeing onstage (or getting to produce yourself!): Mark Harvey Levine sweeps you up in the brushstrokes of life in a way that is nothing short of genius. This play deserves every ounce of its widespread acclaim!

I can hardly express the joy I felt at reading this delightful, gem of a 10 minute play. The compatibility and genuine affection between Rose and Ben is so clear from the get-go, I had a huge smile on my face for their entire conversations. Dennis manages to balance a dreamy, heart-skipping romance that feels earned: these two may have bumps in the road ahead of them, but this love is worth the risk.

I had the pleasure of seeing we, the invisibles at the Humana Festival and it seared into my consciousness in a way I can't even describe. The play's beautiful authenticity and bold theatricality dialogue gripped me, but I must confess: it was the honesty and empathy the play uses in exploring a difficult subject that most inspired me as an artist and moved me as a human. There is so much kindness to this play as it engages with tough questions about how to be an ally, how to give voice to others, and how we engage with others' stories.

A play completely arresting in its tone and strange setting, Carnes has crafted a world that is both historic and dystopic, dream-like and yet terribly real. I was so struck by the complexity of the characters, who reveal at least a half-dozen compelling perspectives on women's roles in culture, society, the family, and the state. The most striking thing to me about this brilliant play, though, is how Carnes weaves so many dark topics that were at the center of 1930s consciousness - including eugenics, sterilization, medicated compliance - into a work that feels so authentic and of-the-moment. HIGHLY recommend!

From the very first page, I was completely dialed in to this play's suspenseful, rich tone. The reveal is both rewarding and character-driven, with the duplicity of both Mrs. Page and Miss Harris promising some juicy roles for the actors. A well-executed noir that packs a punch!

I absolutely adored this piece: for a 'very short play,' the characters are enviably well-sketched. The setting is also picturesque and I appreciated that, as a device, it allowed us several windows into the relationship. Authentic, warm, and clever dialogue. Highly recommend!

There's honestly so much to enjoy about this play, which brings authentic, warm, and humorous voices to traditional characters, utilizing them in surprising ways without turning to caricature. I particularly enjoyed getting to know Lord Rellion and his granddaughter, who both share a connection to grief that neither of them fully reckon with. With an unerringly plot (strikingly well-paced and logically structured) and a wonderful blend of gothic action/adventure, this would be brilliant to see onstage!

A gripping and deeply layered story about a family in crisis: "It's What's for Dinner" is one of those plays that feels compellingly naturalistic, but with an unexpected twist that is sure to grab the audience's attention (I don't even want to reveal it here, it's THAT fun and shocking!). What really speaks to me is the empathy of this piece and the complexity that Holton brings to even the most heartless of characters. Also, the ending manages to be both satisfying and ambiguous (as well as gorgeous) - quite a feat!