Recommended by John Busser

What a fun journey this play turned out to be. I love the fact that no one really questions the validity of the situation. Everyone just, for want of a better term, goes along for the ride. Jan Probst gives us a wonderfully weird setup and the characters join in on the fun. You know what this is? The perfect staycation!

FINALLY! We now know unequivocably who thought to put that in their mouth first. Thank you DC Cathro. I accept this as canon. But only because it was effing hilarious, and that's how all good origin stories should be. Somebody stage this now!

Not all Christmas stories are happy ones, and this 10 minute piece by James McLindon shows there is a dark flip side to all the festivity and joy. And while the characters never truly reach a moment of shared holiday spirit, there is a small comfort to know that they are there for each other. In the midst of misery, they still connect in a small but meaningful way. That's a powerful idea to celebrate the Yuletide with. Well worth your time.

A completely engaging story of two people trying desperately to make a connection with the other and absolutely not knowing how to do so. Elisabeth Speckman makes these characters come to life with their fumbling and misfires. They are so close to connecting but they appear to be on two slightly different tracks. It's heart-breaking to watch but so compelling. When Murphy leaves Milo (not of her own doing), you get the idea that some sort of understanding may have just happened. Great roles for both women and men.

There are so many great, subtle jokes in this admittedly over-the-top premise that make this piece by Robert LeBlanc such a terrific present on any day of the year. The "trilogy of two movies" and "Pinterest mom" jokes are my favorites. But there's so much more here. Just jolly fun! I would love to see this unwrapped on stage somewhere.

A wonderful tribute to the type of comedy dialogue I grew up with, The Blowout features a loving couple with a bit of bite to them as the lovingly bicker and bait each other while waiting for a pair of pants to be mended. You see their chemistry immediately even while petty jealousies and insecurities pepper their interactions. Classic Simonesque banter.

Of course, Robert LeBlanc had me at "Rubber Fuck Monkeys!"

Wow! I didn't expect that turn of events. Eric Moore's Life Raft was a real kick in the teeth after setting up an intriguing premise (stranded survivors in a life raft), then introducing an unseen element to heighten the tension, and filter it through the viewpoints of two opposing philosophies. This play grabs you and hooks you in with the possibilities and does not disappoint with its ending. I loved it.

The character of Thalia says at one point "People aren't really boring. They only seem boring." And it's true. There are hidden depths to everyone. And Kim Ruyle shows this in a most elegant fashion by giving us 4 characters having a seemingly innocuous conversation about creativity and where our inspirations come from. Although nothing earth shattering happens in the course of the ten pages, all four characters emerge as fully-fleshed out personalities, all fully capable of being the the most interesting character in their own life story. A wonderful slice of life in ten minutes.

A blissful setup and what looks like 4 friends enjoying fresh air turns into a nightmare with the push of a button. And not just from the remote in the play. Mara is discontented and tries to instigate a change, gently pushing the others to take matters into their own hands. It does not go well. An extremely intriguing payoff (all the more interesting as no clear explanation is provided) offers multiple shocks as characters turn on each other. This play would be wonderful to see staged.

Amazing and terrifying at the same time, this is a fairy tale nightmare that resonates so true when we consider the atmosphere of "alternate facts" and "Big Lie" storytelling that is our real life landscape today. A leader with too much power and not enough wisdom brings about the downfall of those who blindly follow her in a way that seems impossible. But words have an effect on an audience that can have dire consequences. The words of this play however, will have an even greater effect on a theater audience. Pure enjoyment.