Recommended by Chris Gacinski

After reading the Miller’s Tale in my British Literature course, I’ve always wondered what a modern adaptation would look like, and Rinkel answers that with “The Carpenter, the Flood, and the Fart.” Rinkel clearly has a talent for incorporating verse into his plays, and this is no exception. Knowledge of the source material would enhance one’s experience of this piece, but can still be enjoyed by all due to the humor and structure of this piece. Chaucer is smiling down on you, Mr. Rinkel. You did his piece justice.

Wow, this play is a punch in the gut. Bicknell’s “The Boys Club” is a no-holds-barred affair that will keep you on your toes from the first beat until the curtain closes. Dark, disturbing, and poignant. I must also credit Bicknell’s ability to create tension through movement/silence, which builds to a shattering climax.

Cross’s “Wonder of Our Stage” is unlike any period piece I’ve read. What if one of humanity’s greatest writers wasn’t a human, but a robot? What makes us human? Cross answers all these questions and more in “Wonder of Our Stage.” Cross’s addition of literary allusions makes this a great play for the bookworm in you. Interesting, unique and engaging!

Philip Middleton Williams accomplishes a lot in this short play. It starts lighthearted then progresses into a poignant commentary of what’s happening right now. Excellent work, Philip!

After finishing “Rattler,” it certainly lives up to its title. Adams utilizes her talent of carefully crafting dialogue that immerses the audience in a rattling scenario which we follow with full attention. An exploration of morality, society’s perception of sexual assault. Overall, “Rattler” is an important piece of theatre that should be read and staged. Actors and directors looking for a powerful piece should look no further than “Rattler.”

Before I even read the first scene, I was in awe with how organized the breakdown page was, which truly enhanced my reading experience of “The Platypodes.” This was unlike anything I’ve read on this site. Asher Wyndham Bowles squeezes every drop of emotion out of these characters as we experience the troubles they do. This is an important and balanced play that deserves to be seen and read, one that touches on important issues that are still ongoing today.

This monologue is a searing and stream of consciousness look on relationships and how they end. This piece is reminiscent of Woolf’s writing, but with Deray’s unique style, this is sure to make those think of their past, and possibly their future love life.

Pflaster’s “The Underpants Godot” is a hilarious parody piece that chronicles a sexualized production of Beckett’s magnum opus “Waiting for Godot.” Although it is implied that the play is about Beckett’s famous work, Pflaster has written it in such a way that one does not need knowledge of the work to enjoy this piece. I’d love to see this staged, it’s sure to be a fun experience for actor and audience alike!

Conlon immediately grabs your attention with “7 Minutes to Live,” an unrelenting and hilarious play that features some of the strongest dialogue I’ve seen. Conlon paints us a wildly vivid picture, and the lack of clarity allows us to fill in the gaps, and to create our own perceptions of what’s occurring in the script. An eclectic blend of Hemingway-esque storytelling and Conlon’s talent for writing strong and unpredictable characters.

Frandsen most certainly has a knack for emotional and hard-hitting material, and “Unplug” is a prime example of this. When a play starts with the lines “Wow. I thought you’d never wake up,” you know at some point, you will inevitably tear up for these characters and for their story. A comprehensive and thoughtful piece.