Recommended by John Busser

I don't know about Ella, but having a friend like Cora makes ME feel better. Once again, Marj O’Neill-Butler shows us an all-too-relatable circumstance, the surprise breakup, and finds a way to find gold out of it. Sure, Ella may have some tough going ahead emotionally, but you gotta dig through a lot of earth to find that gold. The thing I like about Marj's plays are their wonderful sense of humanity. Characters care for one another and the help is genuine. Despite being about a breakup, there is a sense of possibility here that will make your day.

I'm picking my jaw up off the floor after finishing this devastating memory play from Scott Sickles. He doesn't just present a situation, he makes you live it. You feel Eleanor's longing, Vivienne's shock and heartbreak, Des' wonderment. Even Armand is fully realized here even when he is only a memory. But then, the twist comes like a punch in the gut and you feel as smacked in the head as Vivienne does. Great writing as always from Scott Sickles.

This was an absolute hoot and a half. Jonathan and Martha Kent by way of Stephen King! Even when Evan Baughfman goes dark, it's entertaining as hell. No one really gave much thought to how (hilariously) terrifying it must be to be the parents of a child with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. ESPECIALLY a 2-year-old child. No one will look at Superman quite the same way after this play.

Another hilarious piece from Christopher Soucy. Here we have the end of the world possibly being brought about by four cultists that are never on the same page at the same time. Every one of them has needs and wants that somehow, just don't quite work for an end-of-the-world cult but hey, everyone needs a car, right? Fast and funny, I would love to see this onstage.

Nobody screws with you quite like your best friends, am I right? Randy Hunt brings this truism to life in this funny little tribute to friendship and deer piss. A group of buddies on a vacation at a beach house are interviewing with a police detective after a night of drunken debauchery and a "death" took place, when the body comes walking in. But it's a little more complicated than that. I hope you laugh at this as much as I did. Would love to see it staged.

I got quite a kick out of this Godot-inspired meet on Zoom. We've ALL had to deal with the "wait for the host to arrive" window wondering just why they aren't there. They called this meet! They should be the first one in. So kudos to Molly Wagner who hits the bullseye here. Making the audience experience the uncomfortable wait is right-on as well. I wonder what sort of fun interactions that might spawn? Let's find out. Someone produce this.

A gently funny look at the big game of courtship overseen by a couple of commentators who handle the play-by-play with deft aplomb. We all have been involved in this game and have experienced the wins and losses of love. But not like this. Wouldn't we all benefit from a couple of color men providing insight and expertise as they discuss the ongoing match? Rebecca Cockcroft makes a strong argument for it.

This is really wonderful writing. Two terrifically realized characters, these ladies are on the hunt and will go until somebody drops dead. After even. There's a lot of life in these two women, and they just want someone to share it with. Susie wants a man and Helen wants Susie (kind of). Roles for older actors are scarce compared to those for the young. Marj O'Neill-Butler has your back here. Fun stuff.

For a play about a woman going through her grandmother's belongings, this piece had me on the edge of my seat. Lou Jones creates a very evocative setting here and Libby is brought to life, both on these pages and IN these pages, as she begins to exhibit a depth she previously lacked as a vapid influencer. I am glad that grandmother was wise in her ways, and both Libby (and the audience watching this) benefit handsomely.

My God! This was alarmingly intense! The scenes progress in more and more provocative ways and yet, our characters seem to take more and more of it in stride. Which is heart-breaking. The society we live in doesn't care about these children. They are just bodies to have "thoughts and prayers" over after each tragedy. Jillian Blevins puts such vivid faces to these kids. It's masterful the way she elevates their needs and wants as they age through the horror of lockdown drills. This play should be produced and shown ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY.