Recommended by Kim E. Ruyle

Oh my, God! This is brilliant. At times, everyone (except self-deluded sociopaths, I suppose) feels insecure. When Tim is sent through an INsecurity scanner as part of his job interview, he abandons everything but his boxers in order to pass the test. This play is not only hilarious, it’s an insightful look at the human condition. I’m not pulling your leg… I’m pulling mine! Love it!

Some people tolerate change better than others. Everyone has a different lens through which they view change. And everyone has a different threshold, a tipping point where even the most adaptable person feels change goes from invigorating to threatening. David Patton shows us what change looks like through the lens of a disabled firefighter in a Celtic (?) fire brigade. My facility with dialects sucks, but from my reading, the presentation of dialect in the script is spot on. This monologue represents a great opportunity for the actor to provide a unique perspective on his job. Excellent...

What a heart-wrenching lament! Such agony! Such loss! And then, such a twist! This monologue hits all the right notes and provides the actor with a wonderful range of emotions. David Patton, I feel your pain. Love it!

Vivian Lermond is the prolific and masterful creator of short plays that refresh and invigorate like a brisk walk or a spot of tea. She’s done it again with Framed, the newest addition to her MAD FOR MYSTERY Collection. Jump in the car with the charming Stillwell sisters and go along for the ride. Navigate the English countryside, look for clues in a disheveled cottage, and investigate in a “jumble shop” – all in the pursuit of a murderer and to find justice for their client. This is a wonderful radio play.

Jane Pierot is no Hercule Poirot (though she does insist on pronouncing her name as Poirot). With an inexplicably dogged determination, this Sherlock Holmes wannabe comes through in the end. Quirky characters (Sandra, especially, is a hoot). Snappy dialogue. A great premise. All-in-all, a really fun detective caper!

A precocious young lady uses science and logic and chutzpah to cure a plague, undermine a tyrannical government, and strike a blow against ignorance. Set in a mythical kingdom several centuries past, this well-written parable speaks to the importance of independent thought. Great!

And Lightning Struck is the amazing story of Mary Shelley’s early life and the creation of Victor Frankenstein and his “monster.” Weibezahl weaves a rich tapestry in the theatrical telling of the story. The vivid language reveals the depth of Shelley’s suffering, her personal tragedies, and the brightness of her genius. It’s a poignant, heart-wrenching story. Her bond with the Creature is palpable and complex. After reading this play, you will never regard Frankenstein’s monster in the same way.

Highly theatrical, pitch-perfect detective noir with a kick-ass dish of a PI. Great fun.

Triangle Logic is an engaging exploration of friendship, loyalty, sex, jealousy, and more. Lamedman gives us three distinct characters, each flawed but nonetheless lovable in their own way. This thought-provoking play will cause you to consider the nature and permanence of friendships in your own life. Excellent!

It’s not just an itch. It’s malignant, a searing sun around which poor Richard revolves. And it’s not only Richard who’s sucked into the orbit. His mom, his brother, and an intriguing tenant are also pulled in. From this premise, Cathro has masterfully created a compelling drama that sucked me in, too. The relationships are fascinating: mother-son, brother-brother, and especially Richard-Gail. I didn’t want this to end. Highly recommended!