Recommended by John Busser

Kay's description of the orange and her immense craving for a slice are written so evocatively. Emily McClain paints such a wonderful picture with language alone, that the actors onstage performing would be like icing on a cake. Kay is almost paralyzed with self doubt, fear, and embarrassment over such a small thing as an orange slice. But we all sometimes blow things way out of proportion, don't we? As audience members we can look at Kay and say "Just ask for it, already!" But there's a possibility that if WE were Kay, we might be paralyzed too.

I laughed my assius off reading this hilarious piece from Morey Norkin. I would pay good money to see this produced (Are you listening, theaters? You've already sold one ticket for sure!) Packed with visual and written gags, this is the kind of thing an evening of short plays would put either first to start with a bang, or last to end with a blast! I can't recommend it enough.

"Cicero Lipschitz"! Morey, you killed me with that name! Brilliant!

A set designer's dream (or nightmare, however they look at it), Paul Smith actually constructs the perfect metaphor for (multi)universal chaos and the poor suffering parent who has to deal with it on what I assume is, a constant basis. Short, to the point and very relatable.

I loved the juxtaposition of having such heavy material for a discussion wrapped in Star Wars costumery. The characters, despite their lack of amity toward each other, are united in their desire to keep the relationship going with their son, and are willing to work together to do so. Not a bad lesson for a lot of divorced parents to learn. And it's done with gentle charm and humor. Great job Paul!

It doesn't matter the mode of transportation, someone is going to run (or in this case, skate) afoul of the law. Rachel Feeny-Williams shows that cops are the same the world over (and let's be honest, so are scofflaws). As a lead foot myself, I've gotten a few speeding tickets, and it never goes well when both parties have chips on their shoulders, as Rachel's characters here do. Fast and funny satire.

I'll tell you now, bout what I read; McClindon's play just knocked me dead!
Funny stuff on every page; Inappropriate for every age!
Some might think it's rather crude; You won't like it if you're a prude!
But if you want to laugh with glee; Produce this play ASAP!

Yeah, you can tell I was never an Army sergeant...

Although meant to be part of a larger collection of works, this short play by Sam Heymen stands on it's own. it's a simple tale of friendship, but tackles complex themes. Like how we choose out friends, WHY we choose out friends, and trying to love ourselves so that we can open up to others. Chip and Jessica have a lot of work to do, school wise (Well, CHIP does...) but these two have each other's backs. Chip says it best. “Friends are more important than work. You can catch up on readings and papers.” Well said.

With a title straight out of an Asylum film production and a mention of Spider-Man, I knew this play would be in my wheelhouse. I would definitely be Team Gwen here as I am fascinated by spiders and how a good clean rain of them might not be a bad thing. Evan Baughfman manages to erase some of the 8-legged stigma that spiders seem to produce, and audiences may end up liking them and not squirming in their seats. Best of all for the arachnophobes in the house, there isn't one spider onstage. Not bad for a play called Taranulanche!

Damn you, Morey Norkin! I'm steamed that I only learned of this play a year late! As a lover of puns, I chowed down on this piece. What a delicious snack! I am green with envy (butter in a good way). Groan-inducing without the need for Pepto. This play, like an over-cooked steak, is well done.

I am astonished that greed can so easily trump safety in our culture, and no better example of that exists than this dire situation in Flint. Dana Hall hits the right tone in presenting us with the facts, not in a way to make us switch off (as so many do) and hope it goes away, but by putting a human face to it, and garnering our sympathy. The powerful writing from Dana makes us both angry and inspired to take action, and take it before the plays start to become about US.