Recommended by Ken Love

What do we have here? "The Big Chill" meets John Cassavetes "Husbands"? Perhaps. Either way, "Three Blind Mice" stands on its own as a dramatic, humorous and heartfelt parable on the dilemma of being male and American in the 21st Century. African American, Hispanic American, Jewish American. These men are fully drawn, human and compelling. Engaging, and never obtuse. A fulfilling reading experience that I would love to see performed.

Comedy is fun (or "hard"?). Satire is even better. Especially when it's done skillfully. And with brevity. Which is its soul. Jacquelyn Floyd-Priskorn's "Adam's Angels" is satisfying in every way. And the fact that she was able to pull it off speaks volumes to her talent. A great read which I'm sure will be served better in performance.

Well, now it's my turn to recommend "Park Benches". As a playwright who has on more than a few occasions attempted this type of "end of life" theme, I know the difficulty of the execution - if you will - as well as the difficulty in watching such a work. Regardless, the piece needs to be seen!

Okay! I read the play. And laughed all the way through it. But I want more, i.e. I've gotta see it live! It's the only way to give an unabashed knee-slapper such as this it's due!

I did not just READ this play. I actually heard it, absorbed every word, and was moved by the characters anger, pain, delusion and - yes - sense of helplessness. As an African American man who was born in the North and has lived in the South (and in California), every line of dialogue in this play carried the unbearable sting of recognition. At times, I felt like an interloper, privy to the private conversations and asides of those struggling with ugly, tortured beliefs and misconceptions. Mr. Friedman definitely knows his world. Kudos!

When a short 2 hander is done well, it's like a brief respite. Or a good, long swallow of a sweet drink with a tart aftertaste. I could definitely see "Poetica" staged with 2 actors, engaging in the staccato dialogue over wine. Enjoyable from start to finish!

As an actor myself who had been off the boards for over ten years (though not for substance abuse), this beautifully rendered, funny yet heartbreaking piece struck a small yet graceful note of pain in my heart. To my mind, this was the first ten minute play I've read with a tragic figure that ends . . . tragically. This work needs to be seen!

When I finally reached the end of this piece . . . after reading the last line, I let out a big laugh! If you ever get a hold of this play and start to read - stay with it! Allow yourself to be taken through every one of its labyrinthian passages . . . all the way to the end. And you'll see that the kick in this well written tale is how it ends! Kudos!

I read through "Accidental Roommates" in one whirlwind sitting and was captivated throughout. The humor is gentle without being soft. The drama and characterization solid without no hint of heavy-handedness, if you will. And it's such a treat to encounter a play with engaging "older" characters who are so utterly . . . human! I'd love to see this on its feet!

The best sci fi/fantasy works equally well as parable. Or metaphor . . . but I would prefer to see this compelling, humorous yet ultimately tragic piece as a parable. That speaks to our current troubled time. And, perhaps - unfortunately - to our future.