Recommended by John Busser

I had the extreme pleasure to play the Old Timer in a reading of this play and let me tell you, Stuart Hoffman knows how to set you up for a dark, funny time and then pull the rug out from under you. This was deliciously spooky (c'mon, that title alone should set off your Spider-Senses) and a blast to do. I'd like nothing better than to serve this pie to an appreciative audience. Give it a try.

Sometimes it’s a slice of life piece like this one that is so satisfying to read. The satisfaction comes from its simplicity. Just 2 old men discussing the things that now matter to them. We all do this. As our lives reach nearer the end, we start to realize the truly important things to hold on to. This is so relatable, and Marj Captueres their voices so authentically, I’d think I was talking to my own father or uncles. This is, as the author states, a gentle comedy, but it’s one that says some profound truths.

Wonderfully nostalgic and full of heart, this memory play by Bruce Karp never takes a false step. The voices of the characters feel authentic and I can't see anyone watching this play not reminiscing about their own childhood transitions into adulthood and the implications of. You don't need to be Jewish either. The feelings of concern, familial connection and friendships made and kept are universal, so all audience members can relate to the situation here. And in the end, we're shown that some connections are more universal than we thought.

Lee Lawing gives us dark humor, a fear of aging, a bigger fear of being left behind, and ultimately, heartbreak. Oh, and Daylight Savings Time rears it's ugly head. There's a lot going on here, but Lee keeps it simple in execution. And it brings to light some harsh truths, the most inevitable being, no matter how much you work to avoid it, everybody moves on (whether by age or relationship) it's the one path we all walk. Funny, sad and thoughtful.

Shades of Ray Cooney, this was a fun little farce. Rachel Feeny-Williams keeps all the plates spinning as she dives into the sexual politics of sex and politics. Funny and fast, it makes politicians seems somewhat human, instead of the bull-headed nincompoops we see in real life. This was a good, old-fashioned sex farce (and in only 13 pages) for the ADHD crowd.

In a truly just world, this play would have a Broadway debut. (Fight me on it)
But it's NOT a just world.

It IS one, however, where we're lucky enough to have the completely warped mind of Scott Sickles (who worked himself into his own play, don't think I didn't notice!) doing his Sickles thing and making the audience laugh their asses off. As here, where there's plenty of metaphysical shenanigans to entertain you. Taking one of Hollywood's finest cheesy movies and forming a brand new play merely by showing us what we SHOULD be using our opposable thumbs for.

Oh Man, I LOVED this piece by Miranda Jonte. It felt so authentic in how dogs might process the information of getting through their days. It was just (and I'm making up a phrase here) "attention-spanless". The characters jump from topic to topic like dogs probably would, but it's coherent enough for us mere humans to follow. This play was a treat.

This is certainly food for thought when we regard the "roles" of performer and audience and how easy it is to blur those lines separating them. It shows how important each one is to the other (even though the audience has no "scripted" lines here, the actor pointedly encourages interaction. Another thing brought to light here is that expectations are never what they may seem to be from one person to the next. This play is wonderful in how it both challenges and entertains without having to bludgeon the audience. A really well done piece by Dawn Branch.

This is the kind of play where character is king, and in this kingdom, Mr. Iverson frankly, rules! A really funny creation, Mr. Iverson is both oblivious (it seems) and wise as he solves a bullying problem at school with a bit of no-nonsense, possibly out-of-touch, yet effective anyway tough-love. A number of laugh lines throughout and a fun lead character makes this one a winner.

We all need some "me" time, and Marj Butler very ably points out just how important that time is. Even if, as mom does it, it's only in her dreams. And though dreams never last, the nice thing is, you can go back and visit them. This short play is a perfect dose of unreality for those who have to suffer the slings and arrows of a normal family life. While Mom's life consists of dealing with distractions NOT of her making, the dreams she has while writing most definitely are. So keep dreaming.