Recommended by Donna Hoke

A masterclass in subtext, this play does a deep dive into discomfort even as it sings with humor. I love the circularity of the language and situations and the way they reveal the desperation of these characters to get at things they cannot reach, and the push pull it takes to get them even a little bit closer to them.

I love Lia's plays because they are so deceptively simple, but so decidedly complex. The characters are people we know in situations we recognize, but skillful, careful crafting makes those situations by turns fraught, poignant, frightening... Best of all, the scenes always add up to an inevitable whole that is never easy or neat--like life. This is another great one in that vein.

What a wonderful play so full of mystery, and magic, and, most of all, imagination. Such a beautiful story; I was swept right in and couldn't stop reading, all the while wanting to see it at the same time. This is the kind of play that makes you sad there just aren't enough opportunities for all the plays that deserve them.

I love the themes of responsibility--both the good and bad kinds--that run through this family of deeply etched characters. I can imagine seeing this production and walking away feeling like I'd lost something, but gained so much more. Gorgeous work.

A great showcase for multiple generations--of actresses and issues. This play would be funny if it weren't so dead-on and disturbing. Nah, it will still be really funny. Combining funny with dead-on and disturbing makes for a great play.

Wow, wow, wow. The one-act has always mystified me, but this one just takes you to school. The rhythm of it is soooo beautiful, and it's so layered and precise that I'm sure if I read it again, I would find even more to unpack. What a wonderful piece for all ages, just a stellar piece of work.

Light, love, and lyricism combine seamlessly, beautifully, to take you away into an otherwordly adventure. Lovely.

Wow. I just added Jami Brandli to my list of favorite writers. Her words, and her story, crackle, sparkle, jump off the page. It's such rich, layered, theatrical, image-laden, and absolutely stellar work; I can't wait to read more.

I'm a sucker for a period piece about marginalized communities, and this one has the heart, language, and, most importantly, humanity that makes such pieces succeed. The boarding house is more than a business, and I love how Virginia comes to learn this.

I so admired the seeming ease with which this play unfolded into layer after layer, the mark of a playwright who has both command of the craft and her characters. I expect we'll be seeing this one onstage very soon!