Recommended by John Busser

As I read this play, I couldn't help but relate to both young woman and grandmother at the same time. Neither youth nor old age guarantees you'll see the value in yourself. Watching these two try to solve the other's problems is so universal. And why we like both characters. They are us. Marj O'Neill-Butler has tapped into something here. She makes you invested in the women in this play. You root for them both. At least, I did. I think most others will too. This is sweet, a little sad, but ultimately satisfying. A great piece of writing.

I don't know what's more humorously terrifying... The haunted house of the title, the dysfunction of this quirky family, or the fact that they all heard the daughter talk about her sexual encounter with jack Skellington. Any way you slice it, this funny play has some heart to it and a family that really resonates with the audience. So much so that the fourth-wall breaking that occurs seems perfectly in step with this little spook show. And there's nothing wrong with a sexy mummy...

A Yuletide Intervention! Just what most commercialism-obsessed consumers need! This was wonderfully fun to read. All the characters were pitch-perfect and the dialogue made me chuckle constantly. I certainly approve of the tree's message here and wouldn't mind a followup. Maybe see that trip to Italy. (Although a Darth Vader Toaster does sound pretty good.)

I loved the timing of this interaction! So inappropriately appropriate, really. The circle of life has never been so well shown than in this funny, dark comedy by Marcia Eppich-Harris. The characters come across as completely real here. I'd be willing to wager this sort of thing has happened before and probably more times than you'd think. I hope so. It appeals to my sense of the absurd...

Only Jacquie Floyd could make a 1 minute play about dog doo something to cheer about. Universal in it's recognition of the absolute dolts that think THEY run the show, this piece shows us who truly is full of sh*t. And it ain't the dog...

I cannot recommend this play highly enough. Since obviously Christopher Soucy was probably high when he wrote this hilarious Coen-esque by way of the Three Stooges comedy of errors. Funny from start to finish, with wonderful wordplay that would be a hoot to get to say for any actor, this is a delightful 10 minutes that you'll want to see go on much much longer.

Like a visit to your favorite hangout crossed with the Twilight Zone. A terrific little horror piece where the horror is all offstage, but plainly making its way into the main thrust of the story. We don't NEED to see the gruesome acts (or AX in this case), and the sense of dread that builds as the patrons of this midnight cafe tell you all you need to know. Young Jenny is truly screwed no matter what kind of safe haven this appears to be. And the audience is better off for it.

Touching and sad, yet somehow life-affirming at the same time. A truly wonderful piece showing how there is always a way to be a part of the arts. I was genuinely moved by this story of a young man who becomes an important part of the play in a way he'll never know. DC Cathro is an amazing storyteller. Read this play to see what I mean.

Morris Cody is the latest in a wonderful list of wacky creations by Joe Swenson. This is a spy series that should not be kept undercover, even as Justin Thyme tries desperately to do so. Once again, the jokes fly fast and furious and the only thing I love more than zipping through one of these scripts is when I hit upon a line and have to stop, go back, read it again, and marvel at the wordplay. "Yeah. No shit, Yuri Nating." was one such gem. These are terrific fun.

And now we get Siri thrown into the Siriness... um, silliness. These plays are like an episode of 30 Rock in that the jokes are shotgunned out continuously. Didn't like a joke? Wait literally half a second, there are 6 more coming. I love the frenetic pace of these plays by Joe Swenson. I wish more comedies packed the joke per minute style of these ones.