Recommended by John Busser

I absolutely LOVED the twist here and I won't reveal it either so hopefully you'll either read this at my suggestion or better yet, someone will stage this and you'll get a chance to observe it yourself. And yes, I know what I did there.

One man's rejected science fiction story is another Martians treasure is the delightful premise of this fun speculative piece by Jonathan O'Neill showing two characters finding mutual success by mining the other's literature. What a cool idea. I hope nobody tries to trade it away for a Martian plumbing manual before audiences here get a chance to see it.

A young man finding out some things he always believed in are not true gets funnier and funnier as the play goes along. Like a good comedy should, the story escalates the premise, delivering bombshell after bombshell. A terrific piece of work.

I had the pleasure of seeing this play performed in a night of one act plays last night and I can say without hesitation, that this was the highlight of the night. So this morning, I looked the play up on NPX to read the script just to relive how effing funny it was. Philip Kaplan has a real winner here. A real treat for two actors getting a chance to chew the scenery as they take bites out of each other at dad's funeral. Hilarious!

Wow, there's an uncomfortable feeling running through all this and a large part is David Beardsley's knack for making these characters having a point of view that in their minds is completely understandable. No one comes across as a cardboard villain or virtuous hero. They sound like real people here. And that's what makes it uncomfortable. No one here is going to be completely pleased with the outcome. Just like in real life. I thought this was terrific.

I have to admit, as I started reading this there was a laugh line upfront that made me think this would be charming and funny (The line was about blessing Uncle Joe, I guess I never really thought of him that way). But then the monologue takes on a more, not serious, but weighty tone, that lets you know this boy knew what was in store and was prepared to do it. He just wanted a little show of support from his Heavenly Father. It's all-too-human and really endearing to the audience. This is a terrific bit of writing.

Even clowns need love too, right? Jake Lewis must love Stephen King though, as he brings in 2 of King's greatest creations (and manages to "hammer" in one more for good measure) to discuss love, life, loss and little kids in a very funny bar stool conversation showing even the most heinous of creatures get a little lonely. I'd love to see this staged, if only to see the audience get a new look at Pennywise.

"So now I'm suffocating you?" may be the funniest line I've read all day. What a sweet romantic comedy Ken has written here. A woman who couldn't bear to be apart from her partner takes it upon herself to stow aboard a NASA rocket to be with her. Now THAT'S dedication! And bringing all the "right stuff" too. Starburst, Milky Ways Orbit Gum (I hope some Mars bars too). And the cat. With a cat on board, I think the sequel to this should deal with any other alien stowaways...

There is poetry in Dave Patton's look at Death's embrace that gives you pause to think. What's worse, a quick, sudden end which takes everyone by surprise, allowing no tearful goodbye, no chance to make amends or express feelings lone unspoken? Or is the quiet deterioration, which happens here, infinitely worse, watching someone young and vital drift away while you stand aware and yet powerless to prevent? I was taken by the language used, evocative and insightful. This universal experience was shown to me in a new way, and it makes me appreciate what my life is even more now.

Like going down a dark tunnel and seeing no light at the end of it, the Laura in this play is doomed and has accepted it. Her line about "But it is my reality and it would be really dangerous for me not to live in it." was heart-breaking. I'm livid that people like her husband exist but impressed at Donnelly's ability to manifest him so clearly in one phone exchange. This is powerful stuff and should be seen.