Recommended by Enid Cokinos

Even Zombie’s have a soft spot for Valentine’s Day. As it turns out chocolates, flowers, and sappy love songs are the perfect defense against a horde of these brain-seeking monsters. So, who needs an elaborate apocalyptic survival plan. Kate Danley has penned a fabulous comedic play that audiences of all ages will enjoy.

There are so many emotions packed into this short monologue by Cole Dzubak, and it all feels like it came from the heart. A wonderful holiday gem!

Ada and Arvilla are enjoying a relaxing morning on the porch, or at least trying to. Enter Rachel from Cardholder Services. Once an annoying voice at the other end of a robocall, Rachel is now a humanoid autonomous robot visiting door to door! A.I. humor abounds. Eric Weil has captured these characters’ personalities (or robot-ness) perfectly in MEETING RACHEL. Great roles for actresses “of a certain age” and a fun addition to any short play festival.

Murray’s treadmill has been a constant reminder of all the things he never accomplished, mocking him, taunting him, and making him just a little bit crazy. Luckily, Shelly is interested in taking it off his hands, and she has the perfect recipient in mind. After all, one man’s evil treadmill is another woman’s treasure – and opportunity for payback! A fun short play by Chris Soucy.

Cashio is in need of Shakespeare’s help winning back his beloved. So naturally, he leaves his most prized possession—a Jetta sedan (in pieces)—on The Bard’s grave…and low and behold, out pops Zombie Will! And the zaniness just keeps on coming. Mark Harvey Levine’s plays never fail to deliver a wonderful theatre experience and SHAKESPEARE LIVES! is no exception. Loaded with everything you want in a comedic play; this entertaining romp is a sure bet for any short play festival.

Two brothers behaving like young boys do. Big brother Cal, coaxes, cajoles, and finally convinces impressionable Buddy to take a dangerous leap from the roof shouting “Geronimo!” Through a poignant transition from childhood misadventure to adulthood, we learn about the joys and sorrows that life has delivered to their doorsteps. And through it all their brotherly bond remained strong until the end. A heartfelt, touching play by F.J. Hartland.

Oh no! Blitzen is out of commission…and just two days before Christmas. Can the rest of the team pull the sleigh without him? Rudolph brings the reindeer team together to come up with a solution, but it’s looking pretty grim. Never fear! Just as their red-nosed leader is about to cancel Christmas, the most unlikely member of the team steps up with perfect answer. A delightful audio play by Robert Weibezahl. It’s easy to see why BLITZEN SNEEZES was selected for Theatrical Shenanigans’ “12 Plays of Christmas” 2024 audio production.

An incredibly sweet play by Morey Norkin. Irv, a holiday cynic, has received a card, but the sender is a mystery and he’s hesitant to open it. Fellow Hebrew Home for the Aged resident, Sheila, convinces him to go for it and what he finds inside is the best gift he could hope for. As sweet Sheila puts it (after drying her eyes): “…this is what I call the miracle of Hanukkah!”

Matthew Weaver takes us behind the scenes as Gobbler and Phil discuss the truth about Groundhog Day. “They get together in one of those smoke-filled backrooms after hours and debate: Shadow or no shadow this year?” And apparently focus groups and market research come into play in making the decision. Who knew? GOBBLER & PHIL ON GROUNDHOG DAY EVE is a fabulously funny piece of theatre. I want to see this one performed!

I had the pleasure of hearing DEATH OF A CHICKEN read this past weekend as part of the inaugural Actors Theatre of Indiana (ATI) Playwriting Lab. With a title like this, you would expect only comedy, but there is so much more to this poignant play. Alicia Hernandez-Roulet brings together two friends, each dealing with an unexpected, horrible death. However, through well-crafted dialogue and realistic characters, the play circles back around, leaving the audience with a feeling of hope and optimism for the future. A wonderful emotional roller coaster ride.