Recommended by Tom Moran

Sometimes our smaller decisions are proxies for our larger ones, and nowhere is this more in evidence than this nuanced depiction of a relationship in trouble. A very relatable piece that somehow has an air of finality about it even while not offering a pat resolution.

I heard this on the "Stories Found" podcast and greatly enjoyed it. It takes a fun, thought-provoking idea and plays it out to a logical and quite funny conclusion, building to an ending that is both counterintuitive and entirely appropriate. A great way to spend ten minutes.

Two ambassadors tasked with nuclear disarmament quibble about anything but. I can't decide whether this piece is silly or deeply nuanced, but ultimately it's a grab bag of both: a deeply funny interaction between two ridiculous and petty men, and a microcosm of all the stupid things that get in the way of actual progress. Either way it's great fun, full of absurd moments and wonderful turns of phrase.

What an utterly bizarre, engrossing, hysterical piece. Surprising, mystifying, beguiling, this is one of the best Christmas plays I've ever read, mostly because it (seemingly?) doesn't have very much to do with Christmas. Jumps right off the page, though seems like it would be a bit of a challenge to actually stage.

Had the pleasure of hearing this on the Stories Found podcast. What a ride! Unpredictable, absurd, both deeply funny and satisfyingly chilling. As great as the main plotline is, though, my favorite part of the play was the cascade of nonsensical spam call menu options, several of which made me laugh out loud.

The expectation of instant responses to texts is one of the more vexing developments of the last decade or so, and the author tackles it full tilt with this sadly believable play. Something like this has happened to all of us, which makes for a piece that's both relatable and a bit disturbing. An engaging read that would be fun to see staged in all of its dyspeptic glory.

A sweet slice-of-life piece that ends with a well-earned warm fuzzy. Lipschutz sets us up for a derisive encounter that turns instead into a tender and affirming one, with some great laughs along the way. And a very catchy title.

What a fascinating and clever conceit. Goodwin takes a family's personal story of heartbreak and universalizes it by making it about one of America's most beloved (and wholesome) sitcom clans. This well-crafted piece really hits home. Also, perfect title.

Funny, pointed, and very, very relatable. And would be a hell of a lot of fun to stage too.

A uniquely memorable bit of anthropomorphism. Streaked through with funny lines and imagery, but with a deep sadness at its core. Despite its repetitive structure, I never knew what the piece would throw at me, which is the highest of compliments.