Recommended by John Busser

A rapper by any other name would sell so sweet. That's what the agent in this funny look at identity politics is trying to say to his unfortunately named client. DC Cathro has written a sharp, hilarious look at the thing we cherish most in life, our identity. And he does it with flair. I laughed out loud many times while reading this. I'd love to see it staged.

There are two sides to every relationship, even those that don't work out. Matthew Weaver shows us what it's like to be on both sides of a losing one. And it ain't pretty.

And yet...

it's beautiful in its scope, showing us perhaps what we'd like to say to that rejection, baring our souls in an elegant way. Most of us might be too terrified to really say what we want to say, scared of another rejection. But not these characters. And we are better off for it. I'd love to see this AND participate in this.

Great plays are ones that connect with you on a personal level in a way that neither the author nor the audience member was expecting. Ryan Bultrowicz's monologue on a first-time run in with one of the more potent rite-of-passage moments in a young person's life is dead on perfection. It showcases the exaggerated fear, the paranoia of being caught (for what, really?), the excitement of an experience you've built up into something more than it ultimately turns out to be, it's all here. This is a wonderful monologue about growing up and I heartily endorse it.

HAHAHAHAHAHA! That made me laugh out loud! What a perfect way to start, or end, an evening of plays.

I'm a sap for film noir detectives, classy dames, brutish husbands, sexy secretaries, and last page twists. Rex McGregor (and c'mon, is that a great name for a writer of detectives, or what?) gives us all of that in spades. (Did you see what I did there?) This would be great to see staged.

An absolute gut punch. I was stunned after reading this beautiful piece by Jacquie Floyd. All the frustration, terror and the realization of inevitable loss that some go through is explored with grace and dignity. The effect it has on Miriam's daughter is palpable and I truly appreciated the use of two actresses to portray Miriam. It drove home the dichotomy of her existence in an elegant way. This is heartbreaking in the best way. This should be staged immediately.

You only live once... or twice depending on whether you will zombie out, so you might as well enjoy life while you can. This is what I learned reading Jacquie Floyd's funny monologue about privilege, remaining thin and leaving a good looking corpse to go out and eat brains. This young women sounds like she had her just desserts. Two of them, in fact. Really fun stuff.

Jacquie Floyd writes a fun little monologue for this dad, who swerves between wanting to kill his zombie son and embracing him. Parenthood is a double edged sword (or shotgun in this case). Jacquie shows us the comedic side of being at (or possibly a part of) a family dinner. Short, sweet and hilarious.

What a great little thriller this was. A revenge piece right out of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" with a philandering husband and his mistress getting their just desserts, but even better, the cheated-upon wife doing it in style. Two great roles for women who are often ONLY the victims. Would love to see this on stage. Ryan Kaminski does the detective thriller proud here.

Oh man, was I laughing during this. I would imagine the frayed nerves many are experiencing during this pandemic would be supremely soother seeing this little gem onstage. And a bunch of fun roles for women too. I LOVED the ending. A sick and twisted capper to a sick and twisted riot.