Recommended by Mike Byham

ODD SONGS FOR ODD BIRDS is simply a beautiful tale spun with love and care by Aly Kantor. The familiar and cozy setting, the three richly drawn characters and the magical story of self-discovery and unexpected love are unforgettable. This is a wonderful piece that deserves attention. I can still hear the music reverberating in my mind - somewhere, beyond the sea. Lovely.

Ricardo Soltero-Brown has a knack for use of staccato patterns, and he puts it to effective use in THE DETECTIVE. The story presents itself initially as a typical couples-crisis drama, but then comes the twist in the form of an admission by Otto. Things really pick up though upon the entrance of Sam, providing the first reveal of several. Interesting premise, plausible characters with wonderful dialogue and a great ending create an enjoyable play. Would love to see this staged. Well done.

I would love to see BUZZ staged! Actors and audiences alike would really enjoy this comic little gem. Actually - I can see some actors having trouble not breaking on stage. The opportunities for physical humor to compliment the sharp writing are multitude. Chris Plumridge is getting a little naughty in all the best ways! Absolutely, freaking hilarious. Thanks for the laugh and PLEASE invite me to the next dinner party!

James Perry’s 11:11 is a clever and entertaining take on time travel. Whether you’re a fan of sci-if or not, you’re sure to find something to like in this well-crafted one act. The relationship between the characters is exemplified by the lengths one will go to avoid his friend’s demise. This is a sweet touch to a fun but ultimately dystopian piece. And thanks to James, I now have a healthy new respect for potatoes. Well done!

Who doesn’t like a good murder mystery? And Brenton Kneiss presents a wonderfully deceptive one in THERESE - A MURDER MYSTERY. Brenton leads you down a path of enlightenment dropping clue after clue until you’re sure you know who did what - until you don’t. Some interesting staging elements provide a wholly producible delight sure to please audiences. Well done.

Touching and engaging, Jacquie Floyd-Priskorn's BARN WOOD AND BLUE ROSES is storytelling at its finest. The beautiful relationships between the main characters are made more precious knowing the limits that life has placed on one of them. The seamless transitions between memory and now, and real life and fantasy worlds make for wonderful opportunities for creative staging. The unexpected ending packs an emotional punch - suitably poignant for the topics being addressed. An outstanding play.

I love this short! You can almost hear diner sounds and smell the burgers frying on the griddle. The dialogue in John Hilla’s PICKLES is so natural that you are transported there and become part of the scene. Sure - it’s familiar. But it’s extraordinarily well done. Nailed the ending too.

Ah, who doesn’t like to get together with old friends and reminisce? John Hilla provides us with a glimpse into an annual gathering of old friends (and bandmates) in RICKSHAW REDUX that left me wanting more. Interesting characters in an interesting setting saying interesting things. This short tells a story that creates an atmosphere brimming with opportunity for additional story-telling. An enjoyable read.

John Hilla crafts an intriguing short in CHAPTER AND VERSE where an environment is created with organized religion, moral beliefs, and legal codes wielded as weapons in a greedy battle over a case of an older woman’s crippling debt. Characters are clearly developed and the dialogue works well for each. Whether you have a definitive stance on the subject of using personal bankruptcy or you’re ambivalent, this 10-minute piece will make you think. Well done!

Brenton Kniess' PILLOW TALK is really weird in a really good way. Sharply drawn characters are provided with off-beat dialogue and action that moves the play along at a good pace. Sneaky creepy. I absolutely love the surprise at the end! Happily married takes on new connotations following this reading. What fun!