Recommended by John Busser

10.26.24 - Being a fan of improv, I loved this play by Jacquie Floyd. She incorporates the games into the plot in a fun way even as the play unfolds in a more unsettling direction. Jacquie has always employed fantasy elements into her work, and here we learn about a local legend that Taylor, the reluctant member of the cast, has been remiss in honoring, much to his detriment. This is fun, clever and would be great to see staged. A bit of warmth in a cold winter.

10.21.24 - Not where I was expecting this to go, even though I got my horror, even though I got my cemetery, even though I got my knife, I was not prepared for that punchline. Ouch! Not since Seinfeld have I ever been afraid of... well, what Carol turned out to be! Funny stuff.

10.21.24 - Leave it to Scott Sickles to bring a tear to the eye (by poking it, in all honesty) with this mini Hallmark Xmas story involving loving parents, a murky creature with a hook, simmering gravy and an astrolabe (which, I'm happy to say I knew what one was. Do you?) Scott always makes me laugh with his stuff, PLUS, (and I know he's not named anything but Creature) by incorporating a seaweed-smelling monster, he hits my sweet spot with a Black Lagoon homage as well as a John Carpenter one.

10.12.24 - Wow! To call Gail, our monologuist a survivor does her a disservice. She's a force of nature. Not only dealing with an abusive stalker husband about to get out of jail, she must contend with a state legislature that won't allow her to leave said husband until she gives birth. All the cards are stacked against her, it seems, but instead of accepting her fate, she leans into it, both getting and giving help in this support group (of which, in a nice touch, the audience is made part of).

10.12.24 - Yeah, this was uncomfortable from the get-go. As it should be. Mo-Cap Actor 4 SHOULD be outraged! Asher Wyndham has created another brutally devastating picture, this time of an assault. Yes, it was a make believe one, and it was stopped ahead of time, but the idea of assault was forwarded by another clueless person catering to corporate greed and trying to appease a somewhat dubious consumer base. Glad to see the monologuist had some principles.

10.12.24 - A no-doubt caffeine fueled rant about the indignity of working as a barista, is behind this gem of a monologue by Asher Wyndham. (But then, aren't they all gems?) Britney is 4 months pregnant, working multiple jobs and still can't make ends meet. Who among us can't identify on some level with that? It's burningly honest, though-provoking and meant to make you take it easy the next time you pull up to a drive through with a bad attitude. Britney has it a lot harder than you do.

10.12.24 - If the Hallmark channel did science fiction, this is what they would have come up with. Barbara Lindsay has put together a sweet, romantic, creature-meets-girl with a touch of "Guess What's Coming to Dinner" added in. It's fun, quirky and light as a feather. Perfect for a night of shorts.

09.28.24 - Never has ennui tasted sweeter. Scott Sickles shows us the inner and outer aspects of fan-favorite playwright Daniel Prillaman's eternal battle for maintaining his even keel. (And now with less kitten-eating than ever before.) Filled with Sickles' trademark humor and Prillaman's trademark indifference, this fun romp is an existential crisis for the ADHD crowd. (Points behind you) "Kitten!" Just read the play, it'll make sense.

09.28.24 - I'm amazed that a fictional character can get under my skin the way CF has here, and he's not even an active character! That's how affecting D. Lee Miller's writing is. We see with crystal clarity how taken (and taken in) Cheryl is by her new beau. And in the best "too-good-to-be-true" tradition, Cheryl ignores all the warning signs provided by Peggy. We all know someone who wears blinders regarding another person, but this one really hurts. Well written and authentic. Terrific stuff.

09.28.24 - I don't know how you could read this monologue and NOT be moved by the thoughts contained therein. As an adult, we are obligated to not only teach our youth, but to inspire them to be greater than they are, to face and overcome their fears, and to want to express themselves without regret. That this takes place in front of a disciplinary board tells us that we run the risk of failing our task. Because the powers that be are themselves afraid. Nora Louise Syran has struck a chord here.