Recommended by John Busser

11.29.24 - I had a blast with this funny little piece about the Seven Deadly Sins meeting their newest member. I loved the fact that these self-absorbed little evils are able to put aside their destructive ways and team up to help find a purpose for the newcomer. Kieran Khanna may have just given us the perfect Eighth Deadly Sin here: Intent! By giving the others a reason to abandon their ways for a new purpose, it may provide a new hell. After all, that road IS paved with good intentions...

11.29.24 - With wit and charm flowing through every page, I flew through this wonderful examination of the Bard's life from two different endpoints. The overflow of youth amidst a harsh early life is perfectly balanced against the tired resignation and acceptance of that same life's obstacles (most made by Shakespeare himself) provide a kinetic see-saw of confrontation. Luke Brett writes with a confidence and verve that made this a howlingly funny read. Staging this would be infinitely better.

11.29.24 - Okay, this made me laugh out loud a number of times (Favorite line? "Ah yes, what every little girl wants for Christmas: misogynistic undertones.") Kyle Walker has written a delightful little stocking stuffer that would be perfect for an evening of holiday shorts. Lana's reveal near the end was unexpected and so wonderfully subverts the cutesy child trope as well. Your inner Grinch will love this.

11.29.24 - My highest recommendation here for Brent Alles examination of the aftermath of suicide and it's effect on those left behind. The main story here is sad, it's regrettable and it's much too common, but the shift halfway through is what gives this story it's brilliance. I was not prepared for the twist this took, and was so impressed in how it altered my expectations, while providing a glimmer of hope in what is the darkest or circumstances.

11.29.24 - WOW! Did THIS hit the nail on the head regarding how our current society sees our democracy. Cam Eickmeyer had me laughing out loud a couple of times with his depiction of breaking news cycles. (The colored T-shirt method of gauging party dominance was especially funny). Watching the cut (their own) throat media coverage was spot on with their anchor's being completely clueless, and the kicker at the end was a chef's kiss. This was hilarious fun.

11.29.24 - Someone please stage this Evan Baughfman play, if only for the look on the audiences faces when this brilliant little gem drops in their lap. And the less they know going in, the better. When things change at the halfway point, I think their laughter will out do the actors on stage. Great stuff.

11.29.24 - Our government can't even provide the REAL Swamp Thing as a figurehead! Doesn't THAT just seem so appropriate. Discount Swampy becoming our new national holiday mascot is so perfect in this screwy society. Jennifer O'Grady perfectly satirizes the "baffle 'em with bullshit" attitude so many authority figures seem to have to day regarding their constituency. This is funny, scary and ripe for staging.

11.29.24 - What's truly upsetting here is the casual nature of the captors (and make no mistake, these are not scientists studying someone, these are captors) toward the human being they seem to have trouble understanding. Whether race based, religion based or society based, there are always those who are clueless when it comes to basic human rights. Lisa Thompson has written a powerful piece here about white entitlement (and although their identities are hidden, I think it obvious who they are)

11.29.24 - With one foot in entertainment TV and the other in CNN, Jacquie Floyd shows us the foolishness of our culture as we lap up both with reckless abandon. Looking for that next endorphin rush we eagerly embrace a dessert just as quickly as we allow the rich to indulge their most ludicrous whims (kinda like real life, isn’t it?). In fact, this could almost be subtitled “Just Desserts”. I’m a sucker for what Jacquie’s serving up. May I have some more please?

11.26.24 - What a fun little stocking stuffer that was! Sam Heyman never fails to deliver an interesting take on his targets, and he certainly hit the funny bone with this one. I love me some Santa doing his own particular version of being naughty, raising up one of the literary world's finest dead guys, even if it was for a good cause. I liked that Caleb was starting to school Bradbury on his own book, showing he HAD gotten something for his report. A fun one for the holidays.