Recommended by Matthew Cogswell

"So, when do you think you'll come up with something?" asks the writer's wife, Liz. This soul-crushing question aimed at any writer is the core of Williams' metatextual treatise on the craft of composing what he hopes will earn him that Pulitzer Prize for his original idea, if he can prevent himself from being distracted by a local cat. As a reader, I enjoyed the irony of acting as an audience member and enjoying the frustration of process. After all, that is much more enjoyable than actually creating my own work.

This is a mirthful meritorius metadrama. It is a love letter to literary types. It is clever, witty, and (what's the third adjective I want to use?)

"Intestate" is an incredibly moving, powerful monologue. All the related frustrations of the past year, told quite early in the pandemic, are here - the inequities in who gets access to patient information, the ignorance of individuals who contributed to the pandemic, and the frustrating state of quarantine when one's loved ones are ill. The ending is tragic. Beautiful piece.

As a fellow adjunct instructor, this is an all too true depiction of what it feels like to work and be constantly on the brink of poverty. Asher Wyndham's choice for an unnamed character speaks to the relative replaceability of individuals who struggle and still think of those less fortunate. A wonderful acting piece.

Oh, the ego of an actor. That grandiosity we sometimes see strutting its hour upon the stage is brilliantly spoofed in this short play. Quite the fun piece!

This is a fun quick piece to which many actors and directors can relate. The absurdity of the imagined play is perfect.

This is a great piece for two younger actors. The characters are perfectly created, showing both the humor of this age group and the conflicts of identity that come with deciding how we define family. The setting of a hotel room is an effective choice for what may be a temporary bond between these two relative strangers.

A delightful romp for hardcore film and television buffs, with some delightful literature references thrown in for good measure. It moves from reference to reference in warp speed.

I had the pleasure of seeing this play produced by The Forge Theater Lab. This is a hilarious look at the dating world and the experiences that have shaped what we bring to the relationship table. The concept of meeting to sign a relationship contract upon first meeting highlights the absurd expectations that are often pressured upon individuals who are still single. It is a great piece for all actors involved and represents well rounded personal histories. Darling's humor is witty and acerbic and says what we often censor ourselves from saying. A real gem.

"Canonized" is a brilliant piece of theater that covers rich, difficult material. Several statements are made about what we choose to teach in schools and what we choose to keep hidden about our lives. The characters, each with varied personal stories, are well defined and wonderfully address our need to be heard and validated. Parker Goodreau manages to blend in moments of humor that do not minimize the power of this play. I have had the honor of directing a staged reading of "Canonized," and I hope others get that opportunity soon.