Recommended by Kim E. Ruyle

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    Price of Fire is a compelling, fast-paced, action-packed Western drama. It delivers the hallmarks of the genre: outlaws, gunfights, villains, and violent confrontations. The real story, though, is about the relationship between Steel and K'iit. Martin provides terrific opportunities for designers and the tech crew to highlight spectacle with vividly staged scenes, and dynamic sound/music. The Western is a genre rarely seen on stage. Price of Fire embraces its possibilities enthusiastically.

    Price of Fire is a compelling, fast-paced, action-packed Western drama. It delivers the hallmarks of the genre: outlaws, gunfights, villains, and violent confrontations. The real story, though, is about the relationship between Steel and K'iit. Martin provides terrific opportunities for designers and the tech crew to highlight spectacle with vividly staged scenes, and dynamic sound/music. The Western is a genre rarely seen on stage. Price of Fire embraces its possibilities enthusiastically.

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    If you’re a student, aren’t you responsible for your own learning? But if you’re a teacher and your students aren’t learning, don’t you bear responsibility? Moore tackles these questions and more in a The Point, a vigorous debate between two teachers with very different philosophies and views about the role of a teacher. It’s a thought-provoking debate that will move from the stage after the curtain falls to the lobby and ride home from the theatre. Good theatre will do that.

    If you’re a student, aren’t you responsible for your own learning? But if you’re a teacher and your students aren’t learning, don’t you bear responsibility? Moore tackles these questions and more in a The Point, a vigorous debate between two teachers with very different philosophies and views about the role of a teacher. It’s a thought-provoking debate that will move from the stage after the curtain falls to the lobby and ride home from the theatre. Good theatre will do that.

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    Above the Fold dramatizes press coverage surrounding the investigation into the death of a musical theatre star. Set in a private barroom where reporters and a photographer gather between court sessions, the play explores ambition, rivalry, sensationalism, sexism, and the uneasy relationship between journalism and truth. Above the Fold is fast-paced, engrossing, and thought-provoking. Zaffarano's research and skilled craftsmanship bring the era and its characters vividly to life. Brava!

    Above the Fold dramatizes press coverage surrounding the investigation into the death of a musical theatre star. Set in a private barroom where reporters and a photographer gather between court sessions, the play explores ambition, rivalry, sensationalism, sexism, and the uneasy relationship between journalism and truth. Above the Fold is fast-paced, engrossing, and thought-provoking. Zaffarano's research and skilled craftsmanship bring the era and its characters vividly to life. Brava!

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    Pascagoula is a vivid portrayal of two neighboring families dealing with racism, family secrets, and how their dysfunction impacts their lives. The dialogue is authentic, sometimes hilarious with its colloquialisms and references to alcoholic beavers, a Neil Diamond cookie jar, and much more. Hilarious, yes, but doesn’t shy away from deep wounds. Like butter on grits, Pascagoula delivers a moving, funny, and theatrical view into families wrestling with who they are and who they want to be.

    Pascagoula is a vivid portrayal of two neighboring families dealing with racism, family secrets, and how their dysfunction impacts their lives. The dialogue is authentic, sometimes hilarious with its colloquialisms and references to alcoholic beavers, a Neil Diamond cookie jar, and much more. Hilarious, yes, but doesn’t shy away from deep wounds. Like butter on grits, Pascagoula delivers a moving, funny, and theatrical view into families wrestling with who they are and who they want to be.

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    Spatsy Klotz is an oddly endearing 13-year-old who takes us on a wild reckless journey from tomato patch to a voyeuristic home invasion and subsequent hilarious awkward “apology.” The play is full of surprises – hilarious, sensual, and moving. Perhaps the biggest surprise of all is that in the end, it’s a love story. The characters are brilliantly crafted and the storytelling is superb. Jones is right when he says you’ll never read a play like this. Do yourself a favor. Read Spatsy Klotz!

    Spatsy Klotz is an oddly endearing 13-year-old who takes us on a wild reckless journey from tomato patch to a voyeuristic home invasion and subsequent hilarious awkward “apology.” The play is full of surprises – hilarious, sensual, and moving. Perhaps the biggest surprise of all is that in the end, it’s a love story. The characters are brilliantly crafted and the storytelling is superb. Jones is right when he says you’ll never read a play like this. Do yourself a favor. Read Spatsy Klotz!

  • Kim E. Ruyle: THE ARCHWAY - A Full-Length Psychological Thriller (2026 REVISION) by Donald Loftus
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    Don Loftus has demonstrated remarkable range as a playwright, crafting everything from laugh-out-loud comedies to deeply moving dramas. With The Archway, he enters darker territory, giving us a taut psychological thriller that grips us from the opening moments and keeps us riveted until the very end. Great characters, dialogue, and pacing. This play reminds me of King’s Misery with the torture, both psychological and physical, but the clever premise is all Loftus. Bravo!

    Don Loftus has demonstrated remarkable range as a playwright, crafting everything from laugh-out-loud comedies to deeply moving dramas. With The Archway, he enters darker territory, giving us a taut psychological thriller that grips us from the opening moments and keeps us riveted until the very end. Great characters, dialogue, and pacing. This play reminds me of King’s Misery with the torture, both psychological and physical, but the clever premise is all Loftus. Bravo!

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  • Kim E. Ruyle: Nightshade: A Melodrama by Ken Love
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    Launched from a compelling premise, Nightshade spirals into a dark, sensual, and brutal world where sexual attraction collides with betrayal. Two lovers, one a call girl and the other the wife of a louse, must deal with the deceit and savagery of their antagonist – the man who is husband to one and client of the other. The staging of this would be theatrically powerful, gripping, and unsettling in all the right ways.

    Launched from a compelling premise, Nightshade spirals into a dark, sensual, and brutal world where sexual attraction collides with betrayal. Two lovers, one a call girl and the other the wife of a louse, must deal with the deceit and savagery of their antagonist – the man who is husband to one and client of the other. The staging of this would be theatrically powerful, gripping, and unsettling in all the right ways.

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  • Kim E. Ruyle: SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT [a contemporary Feminist re-imagining of HIS GIRL FRIDAY] by Jacqueline Goldfinger
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    The newsroom is a zoo! Lots of bull flies in the reporters’ bullpen. Lots of energy. Lots of laughs. Physical comedy and one-liners abound. I can only imagine how much fun the actors would have getting this play on its feet, and the audience would be right there with them. It’s not dirty and it’s not a trick, it’s just, as Wilson says, Good Theatre.

    The newsroom is a zoo! Lots of bull flies in the reporters’ bullpen. Lots of energy. Lots of laughs. Physical comedy and one-liners abound. I can only imagine how much fun the actors would have getting this play on its feet, and the audience would be right there with them. It’s not dirty and it’s not a trick, it’s just, as Wilson says, Good Theatre.

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  • Kim E. Ruyle: The PlayMakers by Julie Zaffarano
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    What happens when your characters take on a life of their own? Sebastian and Lisa find out when this writing team is brought together again some years after a breakup to collaborate on a new play. Their invented characters physically take the stage and interact, not only with each other, but with their playwright creators. This leads to head-spinning comedy for the audience and insight for our playwright protagonists. Zaffarano sets a high bar for creativity and comedic gold with The Playmakers.

    What happens when your characters take on a life of their own? Sebastian and Lisa find out when this writing team is brought together again some years after a breakup to collaborate on a new play. Their invented characters physically take the stage and interact, not only with each other, but with their playwright creators. This leads to head-spinning comedy for the audience and insight for our playwright protagonists. Zaffarano sets a high bar for creativity and comedic gold with The Playmakers.

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  • Kim E. Ruyle: THE SPRINGVALE ARMADILLO. A Full-Length Intergenerational Drama by Donald Loftus
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    The Springvale Armadillo is beautifully constructed and deeply affecting. Loftus brilliantly weaves in Ruby’s tragic backstory via interviews with Matthew who is dealing with his own personal tragedy. They impact each other profoundly, and the bond that grows between them is touching and real. Tears will shed by those fortunate enough to see this play staged. More than a stirring story, The Springvale Armadillo reveals important lessons. It is a powerful piece of theatre. Highly recommended.

    The Springvale Armadillo is beautifully constructed and deeply affecting. Loftus brilliantly weaves in Ruby’s tragic backstory via interviews with Matthew who is dealing with his own personal tragedy. They impact each other profoundly, and the bond that grows between them is touching and real. Tears will shed by those fortunate enough to see this play staged. More than a stirring story, The Springvale Armadillo reveals important lessons. It is a powerful piece of theatre. Highly recommended.

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