Recommended by John Busser

11.19.25 - Ha! Chris Soucy has done it again. I honestly didn't see that twist coming. But what a present for an audience thinking they've come for the horror, only to see... well, more horror, but of a Christmas kind. No more holiday home invasions I guess. but that's the way the milk and cookies curdle and crumble.

11.19.25 - Now THAT'S an office party I can get into (I work from home, so I know a shindig when I see one). Chris Soucy writes the best absurd comedy and this is no exception. There are so many standout moments here. My favorites? When Eileen is about to leave and finds out about the "5000" being out, I laughed out loud. But my absolute favorite line was "Well, now I don’t want to tell you." I wanted to go back, drink something, then reread that just to do a spit take. Hilarious stuff.

11.19.25 - You know what's more elusive than a wild Turducken? Trust in politicians. Peter Fenton knows this and frames his political discussion here in a hunt for a different seldom-seen beast. Family dynamics and secrets seeing the light of day are on the menu here, and Fenton does an excellent job keeping us engaged with this family hunting not only for a Thanksgiving bird, but perhaps for a little unity as well. The last line really made me laugh. I hoped and knew it was coming. Still did it

11.17.25 - Never have I wanted to see a play made into a Rankin-Bass half hour special until I read Deb Cole's CHIMNEY MONSTER. Not that I wouldn't love seeing it onstage, but this screams clunky stop motion and earworm level songs amidst the funky visuals. Deb brings the magic of Christmas home with these terrific characters and heart-warming story. A wonderful show for the kids AND the kid in you.

11.16.25 - With all the turmoil and unease in the world today, what better gift than this uplifting, positive stocking stuffer from Jack Levine. It's heart-warming without being saccharine and shows us that you DO make a difference to others and you really should give yourself a break when things don't pan out the way you wanted. And sometimes, the greatest of gifts come in shabbier packaging. Forget putting out milk and cookies, put out a good old fashioned baloney sandwich instead.

11.14.25 - Dan Prillaman certainly knows how to build tension as this truly evocative monologue shows. We are put right in the head of Mandy as she confronts herself in an unexpected and creepy way. I got to see a wonderful read of this at Cleveland Public Theatre's Dark Room this week, and the actress who performed it just knocked it out of the park. You won't look in the mirror quite the same way after this.

11.10.25 - Absolutely loved this period comic drama and homage to comic books, radio shows, WWII and forbidden romance. Brent Alles has written an emotionally charged love letter to a more innocent time that had it's own take on the concept of secret identities. With knockout characters and a lot of heart, I can only hope this play gets the dozens of productions it so rightly deserves. Be Brent's hero and produce this piece.

Or ze Iron Claw vill haf to shtep in und make you...

11.08.25 - Really creepy idea here that Kei-Han's solution for Seo-Na-Ru bully problem is basically bullying itself. Scott Sickles effectively shows that an eye for an eye leaves everyone blind. I loved the slow burn build up established here, something Scott is a master of. And the way that first act will now become easier and easier to repeat just chills to the bone.

11.04.25 - What a creepy vampire tale, made even more impressive when you consider the vampire isn't the monster in the play. That role goes to the all-too-human Judge who we soon learn is about to get some judgement levied his way. And we are eager for it. Props to Ryan Kaminski here for giving us a battered wife, who handles the Judge's comeuppance as well. Perfect for a night of horror.

11.04.25 - A flat out hilarious mix of witchcraft, resurrection, pizza delivery and crushes of the recent dead. Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend has written a corker here with dialogue that crackles along at breakneck speed, jokey but spot on observations, multiple clear-cut characters that actors will kill to play and a funny-as-hell resolution to the "Mummy-inspired take. It's Judy Blume meets Blumhouse.