Recommended by Kim E. Ruyle

My hometown is Yakima, Washington, so this play caught my attention and then drew me in to deliver a gut-punch. The setting for Randall Huskinson’s gritty drama is Spokane, just down the road from Yakima where octogenarians, Keith and Monica Leonard, are ensconced as residents in a senior long-term care facility. A lifetime of drug abuse by Mick, their 58-year-old son, all comes to a head, creates no small amount of turbulence for the family, and ends in tragedy, as it must, for Mick. Bravo.

A broken closet – the perfect metaphor for this wonderfully constructed but, oh, so painful look at addiction and the pain and loss it inflicts on the family of an addict. Maggie Condon does so much with three characters, three scenes, and a single set. A few off-screen characters, one in particular, come into play, but all the action and drama play out in the bedroom with the broken closet, broken spirits, keepsakes buried under a pile of clothes, and memories buried under a mountain of pain. Bravo!

Great premise and setting for an adventure that’s part fantasy, part mystery. The story moves at a good pace and engages with action, comedy, and intrigue. Dramatic action, interesting characters, exotic setting, and an ending with a twist – Off the Map will be an audience-pleaser.

Megan Ann Jacobs tells a richly woven story of mental illness, abuse, and addiction that propels us to a redemptive and satisfying conclusion. The characters are wonderfully developed. We fully embrace Autumn and vividly feel her pain. Her three alter egos are used brilliantly to illuminate and add dimension. The loathsome male antagonists (Steven and Father) pique our emotions, but it’s Kasey, the deeply flawed friend turned savior that warms our heart – and only a beat behind Autumn who completely captures the heart. Bravo!

Fireflies transports us between an enchanting forest and a sterile ICU unit as we follow the journeys of young would-be lovers and divorced parents. Every character is distinctly drawn and faces daunting hurdles, but Lorenzo, a young trans man, is often center stage as we lean in to see if he will be as successful in finding love as he seems to be in finding himself. Bravo!

An extraordinary journey of discovery as two women descend into the depths to confront the past and so much pain and brokenness that’s created or compounded by a sibling who appears, or seems to, or do they? Rich in symbolism and language, delicious roles for actors, and a set that’s a designer’s dream. Robin Rice rips the fabric to expose a fantastical world.

What fun! Four senior actors alternating primary and secondary roles based on a chance flip of the coin. Rachael Carnes nails the conversation between a couple of seniors; it moves along at a good pace, at times endearing, at times playfully silly, and at times whimsically erratic, as when one or the other naturally and seamlessly steps in and out of dialogue with their partner to engage in what is basically a stream of consciousness monologue. The roles will be engaging for senior actors and prove ultimately satisfying for the audience, as well.

Absolutely brilliant! I always thought that directors were to encourage, to bolster the confidence of chronically insecure actors, to guide rather than tell, and to enlighten by gently nudging with insightful questions. Pity poor Caitlyn, but props to her for enduring the beatdown she receives – constant interruptions, probing, prying. In the end, we gain some understanding of her perseverance and, in surprising fashion, the behavior of Lee, the director. This dialogue is truly a masterpiece. I will read all of Perlmutter’s work!

Taube’s Death of an Actor is the tragic story of two unlikely friends who suffer the agony of addiction. And addiction may even be the primary reason their unlikely friendship endured as they alternately provided each other with support. Or, at least tried to do so. The pain, the loss, and the friendship are all made real and brought to a gut-wrenching close in the denouement.

For Benny V., the perfectly average man, world’s tallest dwarf, shortest giant, smartest imbecile, and dumbest genius, his transformation begins with art. As Benny V., the boring, timid copywriter, he finds his creativity ignited and embarks on a journey that has him exploring cooking, Mount Denali, astronomy, language, and more. Will Benny V. overcome naysayers, self-doubt, and a lackluster track record? This play holds out promise. Read it, and join Benny V. on a journey of transformation.