Recommended by John Busser

There's a lot going on here and even more at stake. For AL that is. He's competing with a dead man and losing thanks to nothing more than an A.I. phone app. How's that for terrifying? We're so addicted to technology that real people can't compete. Mike Solomonson has hit on something here and it has some pretty frightening implications. That being said, Mike doesn't attempt to scare you here, just show realistic people (the dialogue is very natural sounding, veering from jokiness to solemn at the drop of a hat) in an strange new world. Hope we're ready.

I was hooked from the get go and this play never let up. Mike Solomonson has created a tense nail-biter of an interrogation. I kept trying (like Bill) to figure out where Det. Tina was going and boy, that last page reveal just blew me away. Solomonson never shows his hand and the mystery on display here is both heart-breaking and cleverly taken apart. This is wonderful writing and deserves to be staged. You'll never look at your kids' drawings the same after this.

In an America that is most likely not too far off, the educational system has taken some outrageous steps to "encourage" students to do better by adopting a policy out of "The Scarlet Letter" (a story no doubt banned by this future administration) As if that weren't twisted enough, we also see a defaced robo-teacher, an out-of-touch mother, a sister who only slightly excels the rest of the family (you'll find out why) and an administrator not willing to accept the fact that they've ALL failed this kid. Only Evan Baughfman could make this dark-as-hell satire work so damned well.

Although the play in this instance is terrible, there is a whole world of creative difference when actors take a writer's words and bring them to life. I've seen bad scripts sing with great delivery and great work die when the opposite happens. Kim Ruyle knows of what he speaks here. This play is much smarter than just a play poking fun at a bad script. Art of this kind is truly a collaboration (even when one side doesn't quite know it.) Lean into the badness here, and you'll have an awesome time!

Oh, the fun isn't in reading this play. The fun is in SAYING this play! It's infectious. Try reading this piece aloud; I guarantee the laugh factor would raise by 1000%. Arianna Rose must love her audience to give them this play as a gift. If I was an audience member, I'd probably be kicked out for shouting out my own words. Or who knows, maybe this becomes the ultimate audience participation play. And with a G-rated version for kids, I'll bet schools would have a field day with it (pun intended.)

So THAT'S where these ideas come from! I love the fact that the Muse, a bit put off by all the whining from the Author, makes one offhand remark, and it sends the Author to work. And isn't that how it works? A random thought, sight, sound, object, etc gets the juices flowing. Filled with enough laughs to keep an audience amused even as the Author is most definitely NOT amused, Adam Richter knows exactly how to mine some comedy gold here.

If Weird Al and Norm Crosby (look him up, youngsters) had sex down the hall ("There's a bathroom on the right!" see, everybody can play!) and had a love child who became a playwright, they still wouldn't produce something as profoundly funny as this play by Arianna Rose. I didn't catch all the references, but boy, there were some great ones in here and a few oldies that tickled my brain. I'd love to see this produced for an appreciative audience. I'd be right there with them!

It has to be sooooo intimidating to head back out into the dating scene. Brent Alles perfectly encapsulates this awkwardness in a 10 minute play dealing with divorce, online dating and finding that one pic of yourself that will get someone to "swipe right." John and Marsha (spot-on names for this fun little comedic drama) take a stab at finding true love while waiting for their divorce to be finalized, and it's not as easy as it looks. But is it possible they can find true love or friendship a bit closer to home? Read it to find out.

Wow, a femme fatale who actually WAS fatal to the hero! Definitely didn't see that coming. Martha Patterson is her accomplice here, having crafted this noir tale of dames, death and dastardly behavior. She hits all the tropes in just the right way, but still manages to surprise us. I know Humphrey sure was. But now, we need the next chapter! Put Martha back on the case.

Oh this would work perfectly as a radio drama. Chris Plumridge knows how to set a scene, doling out just enough info to hook you in, and even thought the piece is short, it's certainly not "fast food". There's much more going on this kitchen than meets the eye. (Or ear for a radio play). Now I'm curious where it's going. A "second course", maybe?