Recommended by Marcia Eppich-Harris

A silent retreat is the perfect place to contemplate life, the universe, and everything. But when you've taken a vow of silence, what happens to the other vows you've taken? Silence, in this case, leads to some delicious rule breaking, and it's a delight to discover it. When strangers share quiet space, you really don't know what you're going to get! I think this would be so much fun to see live! Loved it!

God is a woman? I am here for that!! Busser's conversation between a priest and God makes us consider the connection between what humans have conceived as God and what may be the actuality. A challenge for believers to think harder and for non-believers to consider their options, Forgive Thyself is a funny, light hearted look at the sins of the world and who is to blame. Well done!

Monster takes us into the mind of a serial murderer whose recent victims were children at a school. Interestingly, the killer's rationale for murder is full of recognizable pain -- rejection from a crush, bullying of a family member. The difference between the murderer and people who face the same feelings and yet manage not to murder anyone possibly comes down to mental health, or perhaps a strong moral code. But even the pastor in this piece cannot stop herself from taking revenge. The plays asks us to consider whether there's a monster buried within all of us. Fascinating!

Every midwesterner has a story like this -- a significant other is introduced to a family member and the family member threatens to kill the significant other if s/he harms the partner. What happens when their parents meet? Karen Saari's short play takes us on a journey from friendly comradery about the woes of parenting to the tension and defensiveness a parent feels when their child is threatened, whether that threat is real or not. It's a wake-up call, especially for fathers, to think about their words and actions. Well done!

There's so much comic gold in Twenty Days Later! Adam Richter's spin on Groundhog Day will make you reconsider your source for the prediction of the oncoming spring. Very funny, and definitely something I'd love to see on stage!

The racist and homophobic woman in this monologue still exists in America, sadly. She is all over America, in fact. Donald E. Baker captures the hypocrisy of American Christianity and shows us that progress hasn't caught up with nearly enough people around here. Her rejection at the end allows a bit of hope to bleed through -- that not everyone's morals have been so stunted.

I love this little play by Peter Dakutis! Not only does it celebrate individuality, making your own path, and not conforming to society's stereotypes, it also celebrates generational changes in parenting. Action Figures suggests that our heros should be people who take action in our own lives and make positive changes that have a broad impact on future generations. It's wonderful!

I happened across this play, and I just love it. The three different perspectives all come together in amusing and also deeply heart rending ways. I love the characters and how each of them is struggling in their own lives. I feel for each of them. Sickles has put together a beautiful puzzle of love and desire with each interlocking piece heightening and confirming the other. It's sweet without being saccharine and all too familiar to anyone who has been in love -- requited or not. Absolutely gorgeous. I'd love to see it on stage!

I'm a huge Wordle fan, and this play has hit the zeitgeist! People get passionate about their games -- and this game in particular. Adam Richter gives us five short scenarios, each one funnier than the last, about the word game that's swept the world. I love this. It's niche, and yet, so of the moment that I'd love to see it make a nationwide tour. So much fun!

I love this group therapy play with fairy tale characters. Each of the characters carries their own traumas, which we tend to gloss over as children, but the backstories are truly terrible when you think about it! The play goes dark in the end, but in the midst of that, we can't help but laugh in horror at the things we've ignored for so long. This is a great piece that make you want to pay better attention to the stories we take for granted! I'd love to see it on stage!