Recommended by Kim E. Ruyle

Didn’t Tolstoy say that happy families are all alike? I think Philip Middleton Williams challenges that notion in All Together Now. He places flawed but totally lovable characters in the midst of a unique family that faces challenges, as all families do, but a family that holds a promise of real happiness, happiness that is all too rare. This is a heartwarming play that will have the audience identifying with and rooting for each and every onstage character, even when their motives are seemingly at cross-purposes. Bravo!

Debbie Lamedman spells out the story of a dying marriage in ten short minutes. The extraordinary and inexplicable disconnect between the subservient, witty wife and the lethargic loser of a husband confounds us, but the explanation is simmering beneath the surface all along and then, finally, seven letters. A tiny but significant bubble rises to the surface, to indicate a pot about to boil over. Fantastic!

Must read for any parent. For anyone! Thought-provoking and touching. Would love to see this built upon for a longer work. The message is powerful.

I’ll have what he’s having! This is a fun play that provides great roles for senior actors. We need more plays like this.

A dark and stormy winter night. A missing daughter. And a mysterious tapping sound. Levine mixes the ingredients for suspense and serves them up in a satisfying stew with a surprising and comical ending as garnish. Nicely done!

This is a really entertaining two-hander, and how many plays give actors the opportunity to toggle between British and Texas accents? The Sterlings, silver-haired and polished, learn that change isn’t all bad. For this couple, it can even be hot and lead to spooning. I’m with Daphne, I tingled from my head to my handle. I like it hot, too. Fun stuff!

I love a good rom com, and Jacquie’s Birthday Beer doesn’t disappoint. A wonderful set up, physical comedy, hilarious perspectives of Dean and Carla about the once-droopy stripper knocking on the door, and a touching ending. Turn around raccoon eyes and read this script. Highly recommended!

What a fun piece! Wonderfully wacky and distinct characters. An absurd and engaging story. And the hyperbolic hijinks escalate from the first lines to the end. This play would be a perfect showcase for a large cast of student actors. They will have a ball rehearsing, staging, and soaking up the laughter and applause from the audience!

We all make choices. Actors make choices. Girlfriends make choices. And writers make choices. Jack Levine has chosen to spin a tale about a wannabe actor that makes the choice to deliver some comeuppance to his successful but arrogant buddy from college days. The question now is, what will the girlfriend choose? Jack, you chose well.

Jack Levine delivers another witty ten-minute play, this one a whale of a tale. Where else to get stuck in a series of endless deja vus than on a cruise ship where the days are likely to feel repetitive? This is not only fun, it’s intriguing.