Recommended by Christopher Soucy

I have always likened playwriting to poetry. Capturing big ideas in compressed bursts of words and rhythms. Emma Goldman-Sherman’s work epitomizes this notion. It is pure poetry. Riveting and unrelenting. A testimony to how the heart of a story can beat for over a thousand years and still be vital and resonant.

Breathtaking. A tragedy that harkens to every child you see. Safety is not guaranteed to any of them. Normalcy is not promised. Whenever I forget the necessity of theater, a piece like this one comes ringing the alarm. We must pay attention. We must know the darkness, recognize the shadows. Kudos to Swenson for not only facing his demon, but capturing it for us all to bear witness.

I am a fan of all things noir! This short piece is a slice out of a classic detective tale! Would love to see the further adventures of Detective McDougal. Love the banter, love the mood.

There is something very authentic about this play. An almost Mark Twain-like capture of Americana. The story illustrates good friends who have invested and dedicated decades to one another. The play is so comfortable in its delivery that you don't notice the uncomfortable moments until they bubble around you like a lobster in a pot that is slowly coming to a boil.

What a fantastic play. This exemplifies the power of theater. It speaks volumes about the human condition and the relationships of family, both by blood and by choice. The balance of humor and tragedy brings the whole narrative into a three-dimensional reality. It really raises questions about our personal myths and how we chose to honor or dismiss them. Would love to see it on stage one day.