Recommended by Paul Braverman

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    In a play that both echoes and honors Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard, Williams brings us into a very important weekend at the Simmons' summer home. He does a masterful job at keeping things moving while always taking his time. There are many relatable moments, as the family dynamic plays out. Sparkling dialogue, lots of rich details, and a couple of significant plot tilts will make this a surefire winner as a full production.

    In a play that both echoes and honors Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard, Williams brings us into a very important weekend at the Simmons' summer home. He does a masterful job at keeping things moving while always taking his time. There are many relatable moments, as the family dynamic plays out. Sparkling dialogue, lots of rich details, and a couple of significant plot tilts will make this a surefire winner as a full production.

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    This is a lovely, touching play from Sam Heyman. He only needs ten minutes to craft two wonderfully drawn characters and pull us in with witty dialogue and emotional honesty. The stakes become surprisingly high but Heyman shows us the strength of the sibling bond.

    This is a lovely, touching play from Sam Heyman. He only needs ten minutes to craft two wonderfully drawn characters and pull us in with witty dialogue and emotional honesty. The stakes become surprisingly high but Heyman shows us the strength of the sibling bond.

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    This short play grabbed me from the opening moment, before a word was spoken. The set-up is so creative and striking. And the play kept me locked in a full nelson throughout. This is that rare ten-minute play that manages to be funny, action-packed and utterly unpredictable as it morphs into a touching look at someone truly struggling with their identity. This great play is going to make fight choreographers drool. Highly recommend!

    This short play grabbed me from the opening moment, before a word was spoken. The set-up is so creative and striking. And the play kept me locked in a full nelson throughout. This is that rare ten-minute play that manages to be funny, action-packed and utterly unpredictable as it morphs into a touching look at someone truly struggling with their identity. This great play is going to make fight choreographers drool. Highly recommend!

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    Steve Martin shows us a moment that appears at first to be routine, but we quickly learn we are seeing what love looks like in daily life. Lovely.

    Steve Martin shows us a moment that appears at first to be routine, but we quickly learn we are seeing what love looks like in daily life. Lovely.

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    This thought-provoking short play from D. Lee Miller gains depth with each reading. The relationship between Letty and Mari is somehow both old and new, as each character wrestles with both what is real and what comes next. The play raises more questions than it answers, but makes very clear the inter-connectedness of all.

    This thought-provoking short play from D. Lee Miller gains depth with each reading. The relationship between Letty and Mari is somehow both old and new, as each character wrestles with both what is real and what comes next. The play raises more questions than it answers, but makes very clear the inter-connectedness of all.

  • Paul Braverman: ERSTWHILE [A MONOLOGUE] by Steven G. Martin
    “

    Steve Marin has carefully crafted a monologue wherein every day events flow by, yet something both large and subtle is taking place. This is Garret's last day volunteering. The details of both his present and his past inform his decision. We don't need to know those details to be fully engaged in this piece that is somehow both cheerful and melancholy.

    Steve Marin has carefully crafted a monologue wherein every day events flow by, yet something both large and subtle is taking place. This is Garret's last day volunteering. The details of both his present and his past inform his decision. We don't need to know those details to be fully engaged in this piece that is somehow both cheerful and melancholy.

    ”
  • Paul Braverman: The Prime Cut by Aly Kantor
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    Aly Kantor's relatable ten-minute play pulls you in immediately with the sense that we're starting in the middle. Thus, we care about the characters and the troubling weight loss. It's compelling watching Darcy rationalize her weight loss as Lena gently reminds her what is actually important. Kantor does an excellent job at showing the impact of the societal pressure created by body shaming. By the end of the play, you will want Darcy eating more sliders, named or otherwise. Well done! (see what I did there?)

    Aly Kantor's relatable ten-minute play pulls you in immediately with the sense that we're starting in the middle. Thus, we care about the characters and the troubling weight loss. It's compelling watching Darcy rationalize her weight loss as Lena gently reminds her what is actually important. Kantor does an excellent job at showing the impact of the societal pressure created by body shaming. By the end of the play, you will want Darcy eating more sliders, named or otherwise. Well done! (see what I did there?)

    ”
  • Paul Braverman: Erstwhile (a Bascom and Isaac monologue) by Scott Sickles
    “

    Sickles has written a gem of a monologue, filled with half-spoken thoughts and verbal cul de sacs that sound wonderfully organic and truthful. In the end, this is a beautifully realized love letter that is both very specific in its details and broadly human in its emotion.

    Sickles has written a gem of a monologue, filled with half-spoken thoughts and verbal cul de sacs that sound wonderfully organic and truthful. In the end, this is a beautifully realized love letter that is both very specific in its details and broadly human in its emotion.

    ”
  • Paul Braverman: Erstwhile - 10 Minute Play by Ryan Kaminski
    “

    Ryan Kaminski has written an excellent short crime drama. He pulls you in immediately, and ratchets up the tension with each line. Grimy setting, tight dialogue and high stakes. You can practically smell the sweat. Audiences will love this one.

    Ryan Kaminski has written an excellent short crime drama. He pulls you in immediately, and ratchets up the tension with each line. Grimy setting, tight dialogue and high stakes. You can practically smell the sweat. Audiences will love this one.

    ”
  • Paul Braverman: Erstwhile by Mike Byham
    “

    The only thing more satisfying than a genuinely funny play is a genuinely funny play that uses humor to make a point. In this case, the cautionary point is brought home with hilarity. Three great roles, laugh lines for everyone, simple staging, and a bunch of sci-fi references, every one of which lands. This is an excellent short play, ready for production!

    The only thing more satisfying than a genuinely funny play is a genuinely funny play that uses humor to make a point. In this case, the cautionary point is brought home with hilarity. Three great roles, laugh lines for everyone, simple staging, and a bunch of sci-fi references, every one of which lands. This is an excellent short play, ready for production!

    ”