Recommended by Ken Love

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    Ryan Kaminski, with "Never Again - 1 Minute Play", has given us multitudes of subtext and startling imagery in barely a minute. Is it comedy? Horror? Tragedy? A short piece that needs to be seen, read, discussed.

    Ryan Kaminski, with "Never Again - 1 Minute Play", has given us multitudes of subtext and startling imagery in barely a minute. Is it comedy? Horror? Tragedy? A short piece that needs to be seen, read, discussed.

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    Ah, yes! My favorite kind of storytelling: a touch of noir, a dash or two of Kafka, a pinch from the best of the pulp detective stories of the 1930's, and even a taste of horror. This grippingly told short piece by Julie Brandon had me not only craving for more, but doing my damnedest to fill in the subtext. It will definitely stay with the reader or the audience. Great work, Julie! Very nice!

    Ah, yes! My favorite kind of storytelling: a touch of noir, a dash or two of Kafka, a pinch from the best of the pulp detective stories of the 1930's, and even a taste of horror. This grippingly told short piece by Julie Brandon had me not only craving for more, but doing my damnedest to fill in the subtext. It will definitely stay with the reader or the audience. Great work, Julie! Very nice!

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    Plays about the American family will always have a voice in the American theater. In "The Country Squire", a family of quite a unique set of individuals gathers to discuss the acquisition of land. What unfolds is all that makes Philip Middleton Williams an engaging, enduring playwright, with wit and human warmth to spare. As well as a few riffs on Chekhov and "The Cherry Orchard".

    Plays about the American family will always have a voice in the American theater. In "The Country Squire", a family of quite a unique set of individuals gathers to discuss the acquisition of land. What unfolds is all that makes Philip Middleton Williams an engaging, enduring playwright, with wit and human warmth to spare. As well as a few riffs on Chekhov and "The Cherry Orchard".

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    The myth of the Minotaur and the Labyrinth is, for me, the most intriguing of the Greek Myths. And Georgia Xanthopoulou (one of my personal favorite writers on NPX), with "Monstrogenesis", gives us a unique, probing take on this classical tale. The humanity in this piece is similar to that in "The Elephant Man", and just as embracing.

    The myth of the Minotaur and the Labyrinth is, for me, the most intriguing of the Greek Myths. And Georgia Xanthopoulou (one of my personal favorite writers on NPX), with "Monstrogenesis", gives us a unique, probing take on this classical tale. The humanity in this piece is similar to that in "The Elephant Man", and just as embracing.

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    Existenitalism, absurd comedy, pain and the beating of a human heart. "Down in the Earth (With Mud and ALl the Worms)" by Dan West is a beautiful rendering on an issue that will affect all of us . . . if it hasn't already (a joke!). And the conceit of two actors playing the central character is the element that carries this play from start to finish. A dark play of the heart. Kudos!

    Existenitalism, absurd comedy, pain and the beating of a human heart. "Down in the Earth (With Mud and ALl the Worms)" by Dan West is a beautiful rendering on an issue that will affect all of us . . . if it hasn't already (a joke!). And the conceit of two actors playing the central character is the element that carries this play from start to finish. A dark play of the heart. Kudos!

  • Ken Love: Madness (a monologue) by Lee R. Lawing
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    A brief yet ultimately satisfying commentary on an often overlooked literary character. Lee R. Lawing, with "Madness (a monologue)", paints a vivid, living portrait that leaves the reader wanting more. And the same will be said for the audience. And that's what it's all about.

    A brief yet ultimately satisfying commentary on an often overlooked literary character. Lee R. Lawing, with "Madness (a monologue)", paints a vivid, living portrait that leaves the reader wanting more. And the same will be said for the audience. And that's what it's all about.

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  • Ken Love: Helping Hand by John Busser
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    John Busser's "Helping Hand" is everything one could hope for in a satisfying tale of science fiction: an engaging, multilayered tale of worlds beyond that touches on myth and parable. All in 15 minutes. The character of the senator, in my opinion, propelled the story effortlessly and was highly believable. Beautifully done, Mr. Busser!

    John Busser's "Helping Hand" is everything one could hope for in a satisfying tale of science fiction: an engaging, multilayered tale of worlds beyond that touches on myth and parable. All in 15 minutes. The character of the senator, in my opinion, propelled the story effortlessly and was highly believable. Beautifully done, Mr. Busser!

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  • Ken Love: Terms & Conditions by Danielle Wirsansky
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    Not only has Danielle Wirsansky given us something of a dystopian tale on the impending consequences of an emerging technological platform, but with "Terms & Conditions" she shows the difficulty in attempting to adapt human emotions with such advancements. Especially when those advancements are unchecked. An unsettling short play, indeed.

    Not only has Danielle Wirsansky given us something of a dystopian tale on the impending consequences of an emerging technological platform, but with "Terms & Conditions" she shows the difficulty in attempting to adapt human emotions with such advancements. Especially when those advancements are unchecked. An unsettling short play, indeed.

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  • Ken Love: The Well-Intentioned Reuben by Darrin Friedman
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    As gentle as a mild breeze and as emotionally penetrating as an unforgettable piece of music. The character in Darrin Friedman's "The Well-Intentioned Reuben" manages to find the center of his soul with just a hint of guidance from a patient therapist. Not a single false note or cliche ridden line. One must see this in performance.

    As gentle as a mild breeze and as emotionally penetrating as an unforgettable piece of music. The character in Darrin Friedman's "The Well-Intentioned Reuben" manages to find the center of his soul with just a hint of guidance from a patient therapist. Not a single false note or cliche ridden line. One must see this in performance.

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  • Ken Love: Never Snows in L.A. by Evan Baughfman
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    Comedy. Horror. With a dash or two of satire for good measure. Evan Baughfman, with "Never Snows in L.A.", has definitely touched on how utterly tense and insane the screenwriting "racket" can be. Orson Welles, Robert Altman, Tarantino, as well as any and all struggling writers . . . would have an absolute field day with this.

    Comedy. Horror. With a dash or two of satire for good measure. Evan Baughfman, with "Never Snows in L.A.", has definitely touched on how utterly tense and insane the screenwriting "racket" can be. Orson Welles, Robert Altman, Tarantino, as well as any and all struggling writers . . . would have an absolute field day with this.

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