Recommended by Adam Richter

I love it when a play simultaneously tackles big ideas and small moments between characters. "Falling In Time" does both, with warmth and wit. This is a terrific and funny play that would be great for any short-play festival.

Joe Swenson's "Angel Flight" is an exquisite and heartrending play about death, grief and sacrifice. Sometimes the people we meet in random encounters are exactly the people we need at that moment, and Swenson shows that perfectly in this short play.

Nelson Muntz was wrong: Shoplifting is NOT a victimless crime. But in DC Cathro's hilarious short play, the victim is Zach, who had no idea that his beloved Emily would steal a box of wine and must wrestle with the consequences. The dialogue in this short play is sharp, fast and funny as the two wrestle with her decision.
Bravo!

"20" is a powerful meditation on how we carry the trauma of history-altering events. Brilliantly written.

A touching and delightful companion piece to Hilary Bluestein-Lyon's excellent "Marcie and Patty Are Getting Married." Scott extends the universe of grown-up Peanuts characters in surprising yet completely believable ways. I don't like to think of Charlie Brown and his gang all grown up, but if they must, these two funny and heartwarming plays do justice to the kids and the adults they might turn out to be.

Paul Donnelly's excellent monologue explores school shootings through the grief of a mother who lost both of her sons to gun violence. It's a grief that too many parents have had to experience and even more dread that they may. Kudos to Paul for giving such a powerful and voice to this unfortunately necessary part of modern American life.

Satire is a terrific weapon to wield against the forces of evil, and in the hands of Debra Cole, it's a stiletto: sharp and effortless. "STORK PATROL" is a must-read takedown of the so-called "pro-life" voters who strive to enjoy all the perks of moral superiority with none of the responsibility that comes with their decisions. I want to see this staged everywhere, especially in red states. Bravo!

We have all met hundreds of people in our lives. Some we know, most we don't. Every now and then, the people in the latter group fill our memories and occupy our thoughts. Scott Sickles's endearing and powerful monologue brings to life the funny, awkward and cringe-inducing youth conference of his teen years, punctuating it with a random encounter (but not an interaction) that still haunts the writer like it will haunt the audience long after the lights go down.

If you dislike nonstop wordplay, relatable situations and clever dialogue — in other words, if you hate fun — avoid this play. Otherwise, someone find the actors and the right audience (preferably a school auditorium filled with excitable youngsters) and perform — or dare I say "produce"? — this play. Yes, the puns will make you groan; but then they'll make you laugh. A parody of a certain well-known classic movie scene is a highlight of this short comic gem.

The storytelling in this monologue is masterful. I found myself leaning farther and farther forward in my chair as I read "I Know Kung Fu." Christopher Soucy gives us, the audience, a compelling story of memory, myth and history. He gives the actor so much to work with. This would be great to see on a stage. Well done!