Recommended by Jan Probst

Just watched (via YouTube) a reading of this intricate, beautifully crafted play at the Valdez Theatre Conference. Wow. Still catching my breath. Gernand's wonderfully human characters burrow right into your heart, then reveal another piece of themselves you might not have guessed. And maybe don't like. A lot. Whose side am I on now? The complexity of the polarization embedded within this community - political, cultural, religious - is as stark as it is real, as layer after layer is revealed. Nearly a direct reflection of our times, this play belongs on stage. In multiple venues. Now.

Apples & Awards has a lot of small town Americana flavor, baked into those apples pies. Right from the top the stakes are high and allegiances are set- or are they? Secrets are revealed, and subplots emerge, as we are rapidly propelled to a delightful, unpredictable ending.

Two very different viewpoints of the same harrowing situation frame the tense back and forth between two men trapped where neither wants to be. As Mr. Jolly slowly and seamlessly unfolds the underpinnings of their situation, it feels a bit like the air they are trying to conserve. Breathe deeply, while you can.

After wrapping myself into an adorably awkward conversation between two sweethearts meeting after a long separation, I was not prepared for what came next. Skillfully written, with a clear understanding of the effects of Alzheimers, on memory, on family, on our footing in the world, After the War is Over goes straight to the heart of it all. You may find yourself deep within your own sense of memory and place as Old Calvin begins to exit. And so it should be.

A lusciously entertaining play, with beautifully drawn characters. Cabana Boy offers a unique take on a summer romance first love, with subplots that drive the story deeper than you may at first suspect it could go. A gifted storyteller, Williams skillfully demonstrates just how insightful a poolside comedy can be.

Who wouldn't want to peek into the aftermath of the disastrous exploits of the most well-known theatrical prince? What's up at Elsinore..? Find out with this little gem of a play. And watch out for that ending.

A tender family drama, nestled within the social and cultural mores of the present moment. The intriguing story is populated with beautifully imperfect people, bumping up against each other's needs, longings and differences. Osmundsen thoughtfully presents two very distinct autistic characters, each trying to find themselves and their place in a world that wants to define them. Illustrating the limitation and promise of familial love, IS THIS ALL THIS IS delivers both heartbreak and hope. I find myself wanting to know where each of these folks will be in ten years' time.

What a ride! Sullivan's gleefully energetic script drew me in with playful comedy, generously offered, and then line by line, character by character, scene by scene, invited me to examine myself, my world and those around me with a bit more care. Far more than just a modern fable, this brilliant script somehow becomes a parable for our time. Stage it!

THE BED TRICK lures you into a playfully comedic setup with the use of an old sexual trope. Or does it? What exactly are the stakes, and why do we find them so engaging? When the funny repartee is suddenly not so frivolous, we are quickly entwined - and perhaps complicit - in a heartbreakingly human story.

What an eerily engaging play. Moughon takes a familiar children's game and unpacks the dangers that lurk within the power of a simple phrase. Luring us in with the comedy of a pleasantly idiosyncratic setup, we have no idea what awaits. Bone-chilling and deftly written, this genuine horror play deserves a stage.