Recommended by Ava Love Hanna

The Interview by Mark Harvey Levine is a spectacular comedy. It’s funny, smart, and filled with layers of perfectly balanced humor. The premise – a job interview during a zombie apocalypse – is so well developed that it feels realistic and acts as the perfect metaphor for how most people feel during job interviews – nervous, scared, and a little desperate. Allowing the job interview to continue even after Janice from HR’s “transition” adds an unexpected and deeply funny twist. I had the honor of producing this script for the Stories Found podcast and it is an audience favorite.

In Snickerdoodles and Disco, Max Langert gives us a hilarious, smart comedy that’s reminiscent of Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass. A winning combination of surreal physical comedy (each character moves like their chess piece) and snappy, witty dialogue helps keep the rapid pace of the play even as the characters ponder their fates. The titular disco dancing hits at exactly the right moment and helps to further heighten the physical hilarity. All of that combined with a satisfying ending ensures that this script will be an audience favorite.

Clinton’s plays are always fun, and The Experience is no exception. He presents the audience with a solid set-up – a couple on an anniversary date to a restaurant – and quickly upends their expectations in this surreal comedy. He combines witty wordplay with physical comedy and even manages to add in a touching moment or two (the pork chop nostalgia was an excellent addition) to create a fast paced, but solid play that’s sure to offer a crowd pleasing ‘experience’ for all.

In Rent-A-Stiff, Fred Tacon offers us a dark comedy with a unique and hilarious premise – rentable corpses. The script features crisp dialogue, loads of puns, and an amazing jingle that not only enhances the script, but gets stuck in your head. I still find myself randomly humming it. I had the privilege of producing Rent-A-Stiff for the Stories Found podcast and it’s one of our most popular episodes. This script is perfect for audio or stage performances and is a guaranteed crowd pleaser at Halloween or any time of year.

In Coyote Makes the World, Greg Romero offers the audience more than a play, he offers them an opportunity to become part of the story. This script is part interactive comedy show, part parable, part dance party, and part earnest drama that focuses on the trans experience. It manages to be hilarious, poignant, and fun all at once, and most importantly, it offers the audience an opportunity to celebrate trans joy. I was honored to witness this production several times and at every performance the audience was moved by Phyllis’ plight and then joyfully celebrated with her at the end.

If you’re looking for a surreal animal-based comedy flavored by German Expressionism (and you should be!) look no further than Uncertain Egg-Town. Suzan brilliantly crafts a world in which two hens take the audience on a journey filled with naivete, an uneven friendship, and an intense competition for an unworthy rooster’s affection. What appears to be a simple comedy contains just enough discomfort to offer several layers of deep and meaningful content – and just when the audience realizes that -- they're hit with the shocking, albeit fitting, ending. An original and creative script.

In Up in the Air, Laurie Tanner offers us a ten-minute play that is both hilarious and thought provoking. Tamara's uncertainty -- familiar to anyone confronting a big life decision -- is expertly balanced against Liz's steady demeanor. Additionally, Tamara's early goofiness makes her final reveal even more poignant. The audience is treated to a satisfying ending that is happy and hopeful.

Up in the Air is a fun play that not only offers two strong roles for women, it also helps to shine a light on an important environmental concern and does so with a light, witty touch.

A perfect marriage, the latest appliances, and steady pocket money – what more could a wife ask for? In this hilarious ten-minute speculative comedy, Bethany uses the 1950’s trope of the perfect suburban home to craft a play that shines a light on the monsters – both literal and figurative – that lurk below the surface. I had the pleasure of producing this script as an audio drama and it’s a crowd favorite. This play is funny, smart, and offers brilliant juxtaposition to keep the audience engaged.

Dana Hall masterfully crafted a funny, thoughtful, and poignant play that ends with a laugh out loud visual gag – and even managed to make the gag endearing. A perfect Halloween play that offers the audience emotional depth and hearty laughs.

Richard has crafted a truly entertaining comedy that manages to be fun, spooky, and touching all at the same time. Navigating an adult parent-child relationship can be trying at the best of times, but throw in a few bleeding walls, a gate to hell, and a couple of zombies and you’ve got the perfect setting for a hilarious comedy that’s filled with heart.