Recommended by R. D. Murphy

I saw this tightly wound play in production and welcomed the opportunity to read the script. Take three vividly drawn characters, place them in a confined space, and then unleash their competing interests. ESDO initially plays like a noirish tale in real time with alliances and deceptions continually unfolding. Then the haunting begins. The playwright has beautifully written and seamlessly constructed a story that is always a few steps ahead until we reach the explosive finale.

A 10-minute teen minefield carefully delineated by the strata of coolness, upper and lower classes, and all round unrequited passion. Freshman Alice and Senior Chris are two rich parts, each with their own arc with Alice's earned insight particularly satisfying.

I saw a memorable zoom production of this play in Boston Theater Marathon XXIII. Donna Sorbello has a truly beguiling way with dialogue, guiding the viewer along to the perfect twist at the end. Funny, heartfelt, and - was it me or is it somewhat hopeful?

I first encountered this play in a developmental reading and am delighted to see its current draft. Sharp premise, efficient plot, excellent Star Trek subtext, and best use of a blanket that I've seen on stage. I'd say that this is a deft application of that propulsive rom-com staple "will they or won't they?" but these endearing characters are so lovingly drawn that the audience is more than satisfied to witness the start of something special.

Effective year-in-the-life portrait of a newly married couple offering a wide range of emotion with some split second transitions. Great use of props and set to describe two opposites that attract, repel, and destroy. The arc of this story is steep and a rich challenge for actors. Watch those hairpins turns!

Great concise setup for a complicated, reality bending premise. The vast dichotomy of scale - universal terror of a god trying to squeeze his physical breadth and mental bandwidth into human form -- is very funny and effective. Gina's backstory and needs are smoothly revealed and her power to hack reality supported throughout. Two rich characters for actors to chew on! "Charming" might be the last word associated with the extreme situation depicted here but I'm using it: charming.

So specific in dialogue, weather, and local references yet SPACE SAVERS is universal. I'm sure the territorial drive to claim the parking space you shoveled out on a Boston street after a snowfall has parallels around the planet. And who doesn't recognize those thoughts that occur late at night when the world is silent? Rick Park is a master at starting big and crazy and then reeling you in with identifiable characters, small details, and honest questions. Bonus points: the opening monologue is a great audition piece.

I was an actor in this play, both in a full length, live performance (see SECONDARY ED above) and as a 10-Minute play in the zoom edition of the Boston Theater Marathon. To judge from the audience reaction and feedback, both performances were gripping, visceral experiences. Michael Towers displays a keen sense of classroom dynamics and deftly introduces the audience to a cast of finely drawn students. Then he lowers the boom.

Under the auspices of YASPLZ LLC, I co-produced this crowd pleaser at the 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. It is a peerless, rousing mashup of those '40s tough talking detective movies and the Bard's classic. Don't know what "film noir" is? Haven't brushed up on your Shakespeare lately? No problem: this comedy packs a theatricality that appeals to audiences, young and old and from around the world. It's a fast paced hour of laughs and surprises.

The title is the elevator pitch. This delightful sendup of film noir cherrypicks HAMLET highlights to create a seamless, crowd pleasing comedy. John Minigan seasons the terse, tongue twisting dialogue of the tough talking detective genre with enough nods to Shakespeare to make your head spin. A cast of four or multiples thereof unleashes this tour de force that ends in a Mexican standoff and a jaw dropping twist.