Recommended by Adam Richter

With his usual economy of words, Steven Martin gives us a searing indictment of our dysfunctional relationship with food and body image. The staging is so simple yet brilliant, making Terry's journey through the package of cookies that much more compelling. Anyone who's wrestled with themselves over eating — therefore everyone — will relate to this play. Bravo!

This satire, which doubles nicely as a public-service announcement for clueless men, should be staged in every middle, school, high school and workplace. I love the over-the-top (and, sadly, all-too realistic) depictions of the men and Jane's sharp reactions to their overreaction. Hilarious and brilliant!

Social media is a toxic pit filled with the absolute worst of humanity. DC CATHRO shows us one of the most pernicious ways that it has poisoned us in his tense drama: Parents posting embarrassing videos of their kids online. What I like most about this play is it forces us to confront the question: Who has the right to post embarrassing content about someone else, and is there an age limit?
The answer is easy: No and no. Parents should know better. Great play!

Gaaah. There is so much I want to say about this fantastic Halloween play by JACK LEVINE but I can't risk giving away the ending. So I'll just say this: "Death Is a Bummer" is a perfect choice for a night of Halloween shorts. The dialogue is crisp, the characters are grounded and the tension builds at a steady clip. This was a fun read.
That's it. I can't say anything else. Read it for yourself, and someone get this on a stage somewhere.

A powerful, remarkable play about the death penalty and the costs it exacts from those around the convicted. Elsie's desperation is as understandable as it is hard to watch as she does whatever she can to save her father. This play should be produced often and everywhere.

There is perhaps no one worse to bring up the memory of a lost loved one than a debt collector. PHILIP MIDDLETON WILLIAMS makes the encounter between Luke and Jared funny, awkward and ultimately touching. I loved the dynamic between these two characters who meet under the least ordinary of circumstances but just might be exactly what each of them need.

In "Love's Bright Wings," Lissa Brennan gives us a powerful tale on loneliness and how a seemingly simple act can bring two people together. If that sounds like familiar territory, fear not: Brennan handles it in a brilliantly original way, with a story that is unlike anything you expect and two characters who are so clear in what they want from each other, even if what the patron wants is not at all what we the audience expect. Absolutely brilliant.

"Her Smile" is a delightful and original take on the recognizable two-strangers-in-a-bar motif. Along the way, Christopher Plumridge shows us that at any moment, life can change direction a million different ways, based on the tiniest decisions we make.

Audiences will recognize the setup but they'll be surprised by the way the story goes. Well done!

Darkly funny — emphasis on the funny — short play about a sock monkey with a cruel streak and two roommates who belong together. Lots of physical comedy and great banter between the monkey and Matt. This would be a hoot to see on stage live!

The mom in this play deserves the coveted Parent of the Year award! In one minute, Evan Baughfman gives us a scenario that's all too familiar (esp. to those with kids) and delivers something unexpected and hilarious. The punchline at the end is, simply, brilliant. Well done!