Recommended by John Busser

What an interesting take on how possible outside influences can have on the development of a person. Traits that seem to come from within may all be "seeds" planted by an (up till now) unseen source. This is definitely an intriguing way to look at pregnancy, and John Kelly gives us three distinct characters to explore it. Fun but with unexpected depth.

If only it were that easy to look like you're working hard. What am I saying? Of course it's that easy. Brian Cern gives us two characters, one who makes a living, the other who FAKES a living. And of the two, we kinda like the faker. It's amazing how we like to live vicariously through the adventures of others. And honestly, I think if we found out it's all make-believe, we'd probably applaud the imagination of the faker. This is truer than you know. Or would probably believe.

Anthropomorphized animals are always a delight to see portrayed onstage, and Rex McGregor's three creations are no exception. A frog out to survive a harsh world chooses the lesser (and more maternal) evil of a tarantula over the "body-positive" (HA!) scorpion, and the comedy ensues. With a number of wonderful puns and jokes on every page, this would work as both a kids show and be a light-hearted romp in any evening of 10 minute plays.

In Your Eyes might be the song of note here, but another equally appropriate song might be "You Can't Always Get What You Want". John Minigan has written a charmingly sweet play about a man who can't see what's right in front of him because he's set his sights on something he may never get. With relatable characters and a look at how different people deal with the inevitability of aging, this play never gets old. These are some terrific roles for older actors to show how vibrant people can be, no matter what time of their life it is.

Prejudice is always ugly, and never uglier when it concerns members of family. Paul Donnelly gives us a mother and son who have been butting heads on his lifestyle choices, with neither one backing down, in true Irish fashion. Kevin's attempts to gain her acceptance of him and his lover Michael while visiting the Stonewall Inn don't go as planned, but when do they ever? There is a breakthrough of sorts between the two men however that shows even smaller victories can be just as satisfying.

A unique and novel way to highlight the across-the-spectrum look at how different people respond to... well, anything. Whether it's art, an event, or another person, everybody has a response to it. And based on what Ryan Stevens shows us here, the response is a mixed bag of reverence, awe, disdain, emotional connection, dismissal, remorse, reflection and love. I wouldn't be surprised if this is a direct translation of an actual exchange. There's a fascinating sadness seeing this sort of cross section of humanity who can come together but be apart at the same time. Wonderful stuff.

Why do two headless chickens make more sense at the end of their lives than a lot of us do everyday? I don't know. I don't care. I just want more chickens like these. Before they cross the final road. Funny as hell, absurd as f*ck, this is a 10 minute piece that I'd love to see onstage. Optimistic Nihilism indeed!

Sometimes you read a play that isn't flashy. There are no twists or hidden reveals. Sometimes a play just says something about the human condition. Max has had an excruciating experience that has left him depressed, humiliated and wanting to cut himself off. But his sister and best friend do what sisters and best friends always do. They attempt to jumpstart Max's willingness to get out there again. It's simple, sweetly done and very, very relatable. We've all had our world-ending embarrassments. If only we could all have a Brenda and Stuart to get us through it.

THAT was brilliant. Mother should be running police interrogations. Rachel Feeny-Williams has written a real treat of a ten minute play showing us that kids aren't as smart as they think, and parents aren't nearly as dumb. I'd bet many an audience member will take this tactic in mind when dealing with their own kids.

The claws come out fast and furiously in this all-male "Private lives" sendup, and has just as many laughs. Marj O'Neill-Butler writes some hilarious dialogue that perfectly sets the tone here. But as lives go their divergent ways, people still find old connections that are hard to break, with strangely appropriate results.