Recommended by Kim E. Ruyle

Max Gill gives us a lot to ponder in Spittles, an engaging play about music, talent, ambition, insecurities, music fanaticism, legacies, and friendships. The only thing missing is a soundtrack (which would be fantastic). The characters are uniquely flawed but likeable. My favorite is Lloyd, a bit dimwitted but given to flashes of insight. His malapropisms are hilarious as is his sparring with Marv. Bella’s insight into how to think and play country is priceless. Well done!

Going Through Hell is a touching love story, an unlikely beginning that travels a long way. Ralph’s relationship with Bike transforms him from nasty, narcissistic antihero into a champion, one willing to storm the gates of hell to reunite with the love of his life. Martin takes us on an underworld tour populated with Greek gods and demigods, a tour that ends for Ralph in such a meaningful, and thought-provoking conclusion. Read this play. You’ll never take your loved ones for granted. Excellent.

First off, you’ve got to love Ciampi’s character descriptions. And, yes, those colorful characters live up to their descriptions in this zany romp. The dialogue, especially of Dorcas, is priceless, e.g., “The gaseous cloud of a supper meat gone rank.” Check out this truly fun and funny play. Fly thine freak flag!

Everything good is not so good for these characters, at least not at first. A wayward homeless teen. A crotchety oysterman who may or may not be the teen’s grandfather. And an irksome social worker. A motherly barkeep and a conscientious young man round out the cast. In spite of a grim family history, an accident at sea, and the quarrelsome family relationship, Kelly leaves us with the hope that, in the end, everything really will be good.

String Theory is a tour de force. Fascinating, cerebral characters deliver dialogue with knock-your-socks-off authenticity. It’s not only the brilliance of the lines of dialogue, but what Jones gives us between the lines that is artistry. String Theory gets my highest recommendation.

Halloween shenanigans in a movie theatre, a perfect setting for a fun, farcical play that has a meaningful message about taking a risk to follow your dreams. This message is just what’s needed by the three young people who’ve left their teens but not yet embraced adulthood…until now. Loved the surprise ending.

With authentic dialogue, D. Lee Miller tells a story that’s sad but too often true: Peggy, a lonely senior who wants someone to “look at me, to see ME,” but is blind to all the warning signs. She falls victim to one of the many ruthless predators who prey on seniors like Peggy. The warning signs are all too obvious to Cheryl, but will she be able to convince her friend to extricate herself from the scam? Well done.

What better way to conquer troubles and fears than to descend into a volcano? Dee (enthusiastically) and Arnie (reluctantly) accept the challenge and make discoveries about themselves and each other on the descent. A small win? Perhaps, but small wins can lead to bigger wins and confidence can be cumulative. This charming story poses those possibilities for those willing to get out of their comfort zone. And an excursion into the bowels of a volcano does so for Dee and Arnie in dramatic fashion.

Under threat of violence, three women exchange clothes and perhaps get a new life in the bargain. As Binz shows, what we want and what we need aren’t always the same thing, and sadly, what we need is sometimes only clear to others. The Shirt Off Her Back provides an unsparing social commentary that allows a ray of hope to penetrate the bleak world of homelessness.

What could have been? A question we’ve all asked, a question that Gary and Sam explore in Byham's thought-provoking play. The opportunity for love passed by Gary and Sam some time ago, but as the end of the world is imminent, they find each other. Rather than bemoan their fate, they find a quiet place, drink good wine, and reminisce. More than reminisce, they use their final minutes to imagine what could have been. And as the world is about to be obliterated, perhaps they find it. Well done.