Recommended by John Busser

Just when you think you may have reached your zenith, sometimes another perspective can show you there is more that life has to offer. Every step you take is but a resting spot till you make the next one. David Hansen puts this in a simple and eloquent fashion with a play about two friends who approach things from looking in opposite directions. One looks where they are at. The other, more importantly, looks ahead. Nicely written.

A simple moment of polite interaction is rudely (and loudly) interrupted in a short play about how life itself is full of connections that get severed by outside events. Stuart Hoffman's characters ring true here. The small talk they make grows increasingly personal and interesting, but before something more can have a chance to take root, the intercom cleaves through the connection like a meat cleaver. It's sad to contemplate how many other connections get severed this way, but that's life. And that's what makes this piece so relatable.

This adaptation of the story of Jesus in the wilderness eschewing the material offers of a tempter shows there's a lot more to this story than you would first believe. It would be so easy for Jay to accept the "goods" offered by El, but Jay doesn't need them. He has all he requires, which infuriates El. Is this charity rejected, and is it really charity? And although Jay seems in the dark about things, it's really El who can't see the forest for the trees. Smartly told.

There are two very important lessons to learn in this dark comedy from Alice Josephs. Never, never, NEVER mistreat an old woman in a story. And ALWAYS read the fine print. Then you'll be better off than poor Simon is in this fun little play.

A wonderful adaptation of the Poe short story, Steve Martin's short play has a perfect sense of sickening inevitability as we, the audience know Fortunato's fate is coming even as he doesn't. Elegantly paced and atmospheric in it's language, this would be perfect for a night of spooky plays.

I had a chance to play Rod Serling in this and it was amazing fun in just a minute. Stuart catches every nuance of Serling-Speak and tops it off with a perfect ending. Great stuff.

A quick, down-and-dirty (without getting the dirty) play, this a a fun fast-paced 5 minute piece that does what any good romance novel should do. Get you a little worked up, waiting for the passionate kiss at the end, and maybe provide you with some light entertainment to get you through the night.

Talk about not being able to see the forest for the trees, Barbara Bellman gives us an uncomfortable look in the mirror and what's reflected back is sadly full of ignorance and blindness to others. Some people are so caught up in their own story, their indifference to others is so easily ignored. This is really powerful stuff, all packed in 5 pages. Terrific writing.

A fun little "Saw"-inspired scare show. With ups and downs and fast changing curves like a roller coaster there are thrills, chills, spills (bloody ones), and kills. Neil Radtke gets you thinking this will be a fun spoof, and then, like a killer jumping from the shadows, he thrusts the cold hard knife into your gut with a twist ending. Creepy and cool!

A wonderful little monologue about the things that make our everyday trials and troubles worth all the fuss.