Recommended by Ken Love

The "stripper" who won't leave. A "quagmire of the heart". Not many writers have the cajones, the will or the talent to deal with political issues. Those that do, however, persistently engage us. "American Flag" is a precise metaphor which - years after the Iraqi invasion - still manages to sting. Well done!

Yes, I know the title of this parable/play is "Angel". But is the "man" really an angel? Or someone/something else? I love a work in which the author doesn't bother with tying his story up in a nice, little pat bow at the end. The ambiguity of the thing is the kick. Thanks, Mr. LeBlanc!

Initially, what struck me about this wonderful play were the characters. For me, what is remembered after a novel is read or a play is seen are the characters. And if they are fully and vividly drawn, they can stay in the memory for an eternity. In addition, "Revenge of Eve" has engaging polemics, light comedy and a story that is effortlessly told. Deeply felt and touching, through and through. Nicely done, April!

The subjects of Heaven & Hell, God & the Devil have been used and over-used by playwrights, prose writers, comedians, et al. But how wonderful to come across a writer who has the talent to breathe fresh life into this well-worn topic. Yes, TALENT!! In abundance. I enjoyed "Heaven and Hell AGM" from beginning to end. What I'd give to see it staged. Nicely done, Rachel!

Alright! Now it's my turn to give this piece a heartfelt recommendation. While reading "A Tragedy of Owls", I was reminded of Kosinski's "The Painted Bird", Arthur Miller's "Incident at Vichy" and Harold Pinter's "One For The Road", visions of a historical past or a dystopian "present" that, like Mr. Mabey's short play, are all too frighteningly relevant today. This is the 2nd work of John Mabey's that I have read. I'm certainly looking forward to indulging in more!

Many have stepped up to recommended this brief, lovely and tender work. Frankly, I don't know if there's anything more I could add. Except for the fact that I'm so happy I got to read it. And would love to have the fortune in seeing it performed. A family snap-shot with a small tear at the corner. Nicely done, Miss Arianna!

What do we have here? A melodramatic crime story with a touch of surrealism, horror and theater of the absurd. I remain a sucker for writers who dare to mix genres, then have the skill to make such an admixture work! Oh, and let's not forget the element of wit throughout. That's the secret sauce, if you will, that gives this piece its extra kick. Mr. Soltero-Brown is yet another fellow playwright on my list who needs to be read, analyzed, debated and enjoyed. Kudos!!!

Honesty of expression, of the bald-faced and brutal type, is usually achieved by an artist after years of hard, difficult, heartbreaking work . . . after having lived for many hard, difficult and heartbreaking years. Debra A. Cole's "Grace" has not even the slightest hint of artifice or posture. The experience recounted by the character has been lived and breathed. And it was all done with such brevity that it made me envious. Nice work, Debra!

It's deceptively light-hearted. Clever. And sticks like a fish bone in ones throat. Many writers have tackled and will continue to attempt to create work dealing with "end-of-world" themes. Yet few, to my mind, will ever have the talent to write something that is truly effective. And I'm such a sucker for writers who have the cajones to turn Biblical stories inside-out! Nice job, Mr. Norkin. I look forward to reading more of your work!

Being such a 20th-Century-men-and-women-Bogart-and-Bacall kind of guy, I will always welcome with enthusiatically open arms any well written work that allows me to explore this "new" world, peopled with compelling, humanistic and complex individuals, a world which - due to my upbringing - was kept hidden and out of touch. The dialogue in "Little Black Dress" is the best thing about this short work because, from beginning to end, it dances on the periphery. And the ending will have you clutching your heart. I look forward to reading more work by John Mabey!