Recommended by Asher Wyndham

Although taking place during the 90s, these comedic monologues centering on gay Latino life in America are still compelling. As an evening's entertainment, Reyes' collection is a complex examination of American life that contemporary gays can still relate to. And maybe even their straight buddies too. That disenchantment and disillusionment -- that breakdown -- is something that many audience members could relate to. I can see this collection produced for decades. It's certainly one of the finest collection of monologues written by an American playwright. This monologue collection was one of the biggest influences on my monologue writing.

After reading the play, I had a response that's similar to one I have after reading any play by Naomi Wallace - "Wow! A play like no other!" The beautiful lyrical writing and the unconventional structure and style made the play's tough subjects accessible. Among those subjects are gun violence, mental illness, and cancer. Definitely check this out. If you're a playwright, this could inspire you. If you're a director, this will encourage you to check out his other work. What Oliveira does emotionally with language in this short play is more effective than many full length plays.

Grandparents of a trans kid respond differently, authentically, struggle to accept each other's positions, from a place of love, not hate. Short, but not slight; an effective play to add to the growing number of plays about transgender issues.

Don't be quick to dismiss this play as something shocking like Thomas Bradshaw's Job. It's a respectful imagining of a year later for the holiest family. This is a heart-warming play! This is one of the few plays I know that makes Joseph, an underappreciated literary/historical, relatable. He's got his doubts, he's imperfect. He's striving to do the very best for his wife and his child, the Son of God. The showdown with the Centurion is captivating and it reveals the heroic character of Joseph. My favorite Guyton play (so far)!

Those who are committed or married gotta talk about it - it - y'know, the big D - Death - and funeral arrangement, burial etc - and what better day to to do that than on Valentine's Day. Not. What's wrong with Daniel Guyton? A lot, and thankfully it continually results in some twisted plays. From the head of this wonderfully morbid writer comes a Valentine's Day play like no other. If you're a producer or director thinking about including a Valentine's Day play in your February showcase on love, choose this play.

This is one of best short Christmas plays I've read. Surprisingly you root for the villain, a girl who wants to ruin Christmas! Gertrude's asides, the use of the device The Clapper, the two-faced Mimi, and the fighting between the young sisters makes for an entertaining, atypical holiday play. If you're looking for a short Christmas play for your theatre show in December, I highly recommend this play. Playwrights: this play makes a good case for why ten-minute plays can have more than one scene; check it out. I would love to see Gertrude in other plays, ruining other holidays.

In many recommendations I use the word 'heelarious.' If I had to choose a single short play that defines that word, I'd choose this. Every line, every page, sooo funny. And so smart: spot on in its depiction of someone who's super-educated, fighting to nail a job that they're overqualified for. It'll make you remember those interviews for jobs you were overqualified for that you never got.

A romantic ten-minute play that's incomparable to the conventional boy-meets-girl in a bar/restaurant shorties. With its unconventional structure - a combo of realism and direct address - this play is poignant in what it captures about the fleetingness of friendships/relationships. Comparing these two people to owls makes this an unforgettable piece of theatre. Its weirdness reminded me of some shorts by Richard Maxwell.

The language is well-wrought like something from Tennessee Williams and as erotically charged as something from Kathy Acker. The viciousness of its two characters, the raunchiness keeps you turning the pages, even while you're disturbed.

Raises a lot of excellent questions about one of most overlooked figures from the Bible -- Joseph the father of Jesus Christ. Yeah, this guy deserves better from us! He should go right up there with Abraham and Moses. Bob's questioning makes a powerful argument why this figure is an unsung hero, a special guy that deserves his own song. Definitely a tested figure who proved to be brave and who changed the course of history. This figure is definitely the stuff of drama. A great addition to church services (definitely!) around the holiday season.