Recommended by Enid Cokinos

A well-told story by Donna Hoke about friendship and lessons of love (often learned the hard way). Distinct characters, relatable interactions, and snappy dialogue make for a delightful romantic comedy. I especially enjoyed Xyler and Anthis–houseplants that add an interesting perspective about what is happening around them! This play is sure to be a hit with audiences everywhere.

Katie Thayer’s play “Finding Love in 10 Minutes or Less” is full of wonderful humor and witty dialogue. This play is easily produced with a simple set and a few costumes, and actors are sure to enjoy bringing each of the crazy characters to life. This will be a fun addition to any short play festival.

This is a touching, fun play. Nicole Amsler’s characters are distinct and their interactions believable. Most women in the audience will easily relate to these friends who struggle to find even one evening to share a drink and catch up. The bond between Lena and her mom, Muriel, tugged at my heartstrings, and as “Girl's Night Out” wrapped up, I wanted to join them at the table to share a Cosmopolitan and hear the rest of their conversation.

Nicole Amsler has created a short-play gem. Her true-to-life characters and witty dialogue capture the craziness of family gatherings, holiday traditions, and those boastful year-end letters we all dread receiving (and make fun of while we read them). “Holiday Cards,” with its fun, satisfying twist, will be a hit at any holiday play festival.

This is such a sweet, touching play. I feel for Lottie and completely understand her resistance to all those high school reunions. Then, when she finally attends, she learns that all her friends, except Len, are gone. All that’s left are the memories. Donna Hoke has captured the mixture of emotions that go along with these gatherings; including that initial anxiety of stepping into a room of people you haven’t see in decades. This play is a gentle reminder to not wait because life passes by too quickly.

Ray Arsenault has captured a truly poignant, life-altering moment in the characters’ lives by bringing them together in a bar at closing under the guise of an audition. The twist was perfectly timed and truly impactful. Arsenault’s well-crafted dialogue provides actors with a marvelous opportunity to dig into these roles and bring Raleigh and Rob to life on the stage.

“The Deal” by Ryan Kaminski is an intriguing short play set in the deep south in the 1950s. Several twists kept me wondering how it would turn out and I loved that Vivian had the upper hand in the end.

James Ferguson has put a witty spin on an old Christmas favorite. I loved the premise of the Cratchit’s trying to quietly leave town to start a new life away from Scrooge, but here he comes on his daily visit with yet another turkey! The modern-day language mixed in with the Victorian-isms will have audiences rolling. There are so many wonderful lines throughout the play (too many to mention), but I especially enjoyed Mrs. Cratchit’s snark toward Scrooge. A delightful holiday play for the whole family!

“Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” was one of my favorite movies! Steven Hayet has put an amusing spin on what happened 15 years after Mr. Wonka took Charlie under his wing. A pretty sweet gig for Chuck (who has taken on Willy’s mannerisms and flipping words around), not so great for Bo, who is still blue. I love Bo’s line, “Who’s going to have a crush on a blueberry?” The play leaves the audience wondering (and hoping?) that Chuck can work some magic and return Bo to her former self. A fun short play!

Two college students in love. Two sets of parents who object. An affair. A “cougar.” What could go wrong? Maripat has written a one-act comedy full of secrets and twists. The tension builds throughout the play—becoming rather thorny when all of the characters come together in a cramped dorm room—and concludes with a satisfying ending. My husband and I were in the audience for the production at DivaFest 2019 in Indianapolis and thoroughly enjoyed this zany romp!