Recommended by Kim E. Ruyle

If you appreciate mafia-based comedy, read this script or “Little Joey” Carpentiere will make you eat your toes. That’s if you’re lucky. If not, he’ll rip your small intestine out through your mouth and your large intestine outta your ass and use you as a skipping rope. From Vinnie’s opening monologue, Sapio sets the tone of this hilarious play which has non-stop one-liners that will make you laugh out loud and a great twist at the end. Highly recommended.

I fell in love with this inventive and theatrical piece. I laughed out loud. I shook my head in wonder. I felt my mind stretched (after donning a hat) to consider the meaning behind these fascinating characters and their conversations. I was especially captivated by Fizel’s dream. All in all - brilliant!

Medea Part Deux: That Woman! is a thoroughly engaging adaptation of the Greek myth. It’s hilarious, thought-provoking, and so, so clever. We’re invested in every well-defined character. Each holds their own, but I was especially fascinated by Nurse and Medus. The anticipation, the tension ramps up and leads to a satisfying conclusion. Another outstanding play by Bill Triplett. Bravo!

[Shakespeare reference] is a fabulous family dramedy / romcom. Fully developed and unique characters capture our attention and engage us with banter that, in turn, sparkles, bites, and amuses. The family relationships feel so authentic, and we get Shakespeare references sprinkled in with the rivalry, thinly veiled affection, jealousy, and sexual liaisons. An unexpected reunion between long-lost lovers leads to a bittersweet ending that is perfect. Bravo!

Looks like 22 is the lucky number for Gregory, a misogynistic numbers runner living under the threat of a vengeful loan shark. The odds are certainly against it, but sometimes you hit on a longshot, and for Gregory, Helen gets the checkered flag. And what does Helen get? A fairy tale ending.

Why did the possum (opossum!) cross the road? Better to try to get across than to just sit in the woods and wait for something to eat you. Those wise words from Phil, the roadkill philosopher who counsels Gwen in this uniquely theatrical short play. Well done!

Fun, frenetic theatre antics abound in Tom Erb’s Standing Room Only, a meta farce which gleefully flouts nearly every imaginable theatre trope. The exaggerated characters are great fun – my favorite is the pretentious, cape-wearing director, Bernard Wellington. Will the Thornfield Community Playhouse be able to surmount every imaginable challenge to “bring together impossible people to create impossible moments?” Read Standing Room Only to find out. It’s clever. It’s entertaining!

A great triptych of short plays! Like the Badass character in the first play, Tipping gets in-your-face, plays with you, and serves up a helluva reversal. The second play, Recommendation, is a taut, thought-provoking revenge play, a full helping of brainy and tense banter with a dash of Oleanna thrown in. And to change things up (literally), the final play, Last Call, is a whirlwind of hilarious caricatures of bar patrons - lots of fun for actors and audience alike. Wonderful collection!

Olizzia is a female-centered, fast-paced, and sexy romantic comedy. Lizzie and Olivia, one’s yin to the other’s yang, make for a great pairing. What starts as a risky misadventure becomes dangerous and leads to a riveting climax and a nice twist at the end. Outstanding!

The early morning conversation between Edna and Murry is so authentic and presents us with an age-old question: Does time really heal all wounds? Edna’s feeling the pain of an old wound heightened by the condition of her sister. Can Edna let it go as water under the bridge? Let bygones be bygones? Is Murry’s answer genuine, and will it be the salve Edna needs for the wound? Spilt Milk is thought-provoking and thoroughly engaging.