Recommended by Martha Patterson

We are in Ireland, and Cardinal Sully (his nickname -- his real surname is Sullivan) is suffering from Alzheimer's while he addresses his flock. An interesting and comic rant on how "God laughs" at misery...

Jason and Jennifer, despite having two distinctly different Michigan accents (that the playwright explains right away), have a romantic encounter while in a car. Jennifer's aunt has just died and she's attending the funeral; Jason is ex-Army and picks her up when she needs a driver. Together they find mutual attraction in what amounts to a very sweet rendezvous. (Simple set, could be easily done with a few chairs representing the car.)

A puzzling story but one that's worth a read, where the seeming ghost of Holocaust victim Anne Frank wises up a younger woman named Dani who's being pursued by a man who, Anne tells her, is a rabbi. Anne also tells Dani that the fact that Dani's family is really Jewish was always hidden. The story takes place in Amsterdam, and Dani, after this encounter, thinks she's smoked too much pot. The man who's following Dani never appears - but he must be real, the reader thinks? (As aforementioned, a puzzling tale.)

Lovely, touching play about two elders who reunite at a reunion - with an ending that comes as a surprise! Loved this brief piece of work.

Nikki and Everett have secrets to tell each other over the Internet...and it soon becomes clear they had similar experiences with teachers manipulating them. A sad story about the sexual abuse of kids -- might be difficult to stage without an intimacy coach. An engrossing little piece about a tough topic to cover.

A lovely memoir of parents - the Dad in boxer shorts - dancing together like Fred & Ginger in the year 1960. A sweet, nostalgic little piece. (I'm especially interested that Morey Norkin lives in Japan!!)

Fun short piece about neighbors who seem to have been tricked by "Charlie" in order to have his remains buried. Good role for an actor who plays several parts while all the while whistling a familiar tune.

A puzzling but funny little piece about people at a restaurant who want to split the check -- or don't. Has a good twist at the end where the cheapskate on the date turns out to know exactly what he's after!

Leonie and Brian both work in theatre -- or at least Brian used to, before he took a trip to the mountains. When he returns from his journey, Leonie doesn't like his new beard -- but will these two forge an ongoing relationship, or is it already over since Leonie doesn't share Brian's passion for travel?

An interesting short drama about Ben, who may be a hypochondriac, being comforted in the end by Samantha in an emergency room. Samantha is something of a faith healer, and she does help Ben, despite her initial skepticism of him.