Recommended by John Busser

A chance encounter indeed. One I'm glad Chris Soucy has shown us. Two of history's more famous figures meet (in what seems a neutral setting, but quickly becomes a minefield of conflicting attitudes) and their discussion maybe setting the tone of at least one of their lives on a different path. The dialogue is never hurried but swiftly builds into one where anger and resentment grabs hold of the painter, even as the doctor tries to maintain his detachment. Did they actually meet like this? I don't know, but it's fascinating to see this possible encounter play out this way.

One of the best gauges of comedy for me is seeing events escalate. This piece by Chris Plumridge does that perfectly. The Driver wants to get from point A to B. Sat-Nav has other ideas in mind, taking us through C, D, L, Q, W, back to Q, over to H, and so on, to hilarious effect. You can practically hear the Driver boiling over. But the best part is that ending, where we see the Sat-Nav really does have Driver's best interest in (AI) mind.

What an eye opener. As someone who's both diabetic (Type 2) and had his insurance constantly changed on him due to company renewals, this play really hit home. In this country, the price of life-saving drugs is so overpriced it's ridiculous. People are dying so someone's bottom line is improved. Cole Hunter Dzubak hits the nail on the head here. I want everyone to see this play to see what is literally playing out at pharmacies and hospitals everyday right now. Maybe some change can be made to the point where this is the ONLY place you'll see this happen.

It a town where being fake can work in your favor, one girl wants to be real about her chances. Mix that with a friend who is real but can't do more than waitress, and stir in a plot to rob the Bellagio (my favorite line after more and more outrageous ideas is "The good news is our schemes are getting less elaborate.") and you have a perfect Ken Levine comedy. Great roles for the 2 women who just need Lady Luck to shine their way. Audiences will eat this up.

You certainly get a bit more bang for your buck with this horror piece from Christopher Soucy. Or maybe a bit more stab for your ticket stub is more appropriate. When a fencing lesson goes full-on combat mode, one of his characters (Reggie) is fighting for his life. The other...? He's fighting for Reggie's life too. Or more likely, his soul. It thrilling, chilling and blood spilling (Hey, that would work as a great tagline!) I'd LOVE to see this staged. From a few rows back.

Apocalyptic humor at its finest. Christopher Soucy lets us know that the end of the world may be inevitable (I mean, c'mon after 41 tries, what makes you think 42 won't end the same. Well, it will, just with more laughs) but that doesn't mean we don't have to like it. And I certainly liked this one. Mitchel may be a good salesman for this, but as our narrator lets us know, he ain't THAT good. However Chris Soucy is.

This is sweet, incredibly funny (I thought this might have been a Hanukkah play set in the Catskills) and a testament to the writing of Morey Norkin. Irv is lost without his late wife and no amount of cajoling from friend Sheila seems to help. Then a light shines from an unexpected place to bring him out of his personal darkness. Like the best Christmas stories (with maybe some latkes thrown in, would that be too much to ask?), this play will get you right in the feels and make your holidays (or anytime you stage this) so much brighter.

Wow! Talk about an explosive ending! My hat is off to Arthur Jolly for this creepy little tale. I thought I knew where it was going, (the signs were sort of there) and, here's the beauty of this play, it zigged juuuuuuuust enough to maintain the unsettling tone, but took it in a way I wasn't quite expecting. I'm trying to be vague here so you'll be tempted to read it. You won't be sorry.

A play about love and dignity that will break your heart at the same time it melts it. Deb Cole has created something truly beautiful here. I think it's safe to say this would leave an audience in tears. One of my favorite pieces from this collection. Just wonderful.

I was quite moved by Ella's plight, to be seen as something more than a freak. She deserves the chance to live a life denied her through a physical condition. And here, she's gathering up the strength to go to a new life. Deb Cole gives Ella something the sideshow audiences would deny her; dignity. This was wonderful writing and would love to see this staged.