Recommended by Christopher Soucy

Magic takes hard work. But when done right, it means the world to those who benefit from it. This is an adorable piece of Christmastime magic as performed by master illusionists, mom and dad.

What a way to announce one’s intensions. This is a wonderfully twisted play with a wonderful twist ending. Lee Lawing gives us a reunion of exes that gets wildly out of hand. I would love to be in the audience watching this.

The quintessential dad lecture. Adam Richter gives us that moment we dread, both as child and parent, “the” speech. The one you get out give when something catastrophic has gone wrong. Adam’s writing is always so insightful and familiar while remaining accessible and fresh. Great monologue for a middle aged actor.

What we sacrifice in the balancing act to get what we want is oftentimes forgotten in day to day existence. But sooner or later, something will happen to remind us of exactly what we gave up for what we have. It is in those moments that we really have to wonder if it is worth it. Scott Sickles illustrates one such moment with his uncanny brilliance. Making what seems impossibly distant and foreign as immediate as taking a breath.

A delightfully creepy entry in this year’s Horror Bake Off. Miranda Jonte has woven together familiar tropes with distinctly original elements. I had mentioned before how great this would be as a found footage short film. But to see it onstage would be incredible!

To think we can blame dad jokes on big pharma. Billy Busser gives us a fun, educational commercial for a much needed medical break through.

Having read several of theee pieces on their own, I marveled at their depth and construction. But having them linked in this collection brings a sharp focus on the human experience in such a brilliant way, Brenton Kniess has deftly connected his plays through core emotions that he accesses with precision and craft.

Oooo… who doesn’t like a little glamour? A very fun, tasty treat. Provocative and frightening.

I am scared. Words that echo in my heart. We want to say and do all we can, but we feel stuck. Jonny Bolduc has put feelings into art and we can share in his heartache. Powerful, moving, and a call to action for all artists. Create in the face of destruction.

“Nemo me impune lacessit” was written on Montressor’s family crest in Poe’s Cask of Amontillado. Here, in an perfectly updated version, Monty exacts his over the top vengeance upon an unsuspecting Fortune. Daniel Prillaman shows a true love of Poe, terror, and unreliable drinking buddies.