Recommended by John Mabey

Sometimes a little playful deception is the key to uncover truths. And Debra A. Cole demonstrates this wonderfully in DUCKS IN A ROW. This romantic comedy with hints of mystery includes vibrant characters that performers will love to play and would make a perfect choice for festivals, too!

All marriages require work and maintenance, but sometimes a literal representation is the perfect answer. And in BACKYARD STONEHENGE by Jacquelyn Floyd-Priskorn, the couple in question is reeling from addiction and legal issues that has cracked their very foundation. But stone by stone, they build something new in this play that gives hope for their future with humor and heart.

In AUTISTIC DOULA, H. Avery shines brilliant light on ableism, disability, and autism in the medical world and beyond. This is a monologue that has a unique power to both entertain and inform with an infusion of theatricality that's meant for the stage.

GOLDEN, by Andrew Lee Creech, is a play fueled by complex characters and powerful emotional truths. From the start, I fell in love with the characters reclaiming the past and fighting for the future while trying to survive the present. I saw reflections of myself in each one because of how deeply Creech understands and contrasts their journeys. And the broader world of the play deftly explores how a recession and Black urban history combine to propel each character's choices throughout. This is a play that truly comes alive, right off the page, and can't wait to see it staged.

What a fantastic journey through magical worlds, grounded emotions, and everything in between. STONE CIRCLE STORIES by Jacquelyn Floyd-Priskorn offers a full night of entertainment all centered around a circle of stones that embodies different meanings throughout. Some pieces will make you laugh, others cry, but always having you lean forward to experience more. This collection offers a wonderful full night of theatre or great selections for a shorter play festival.

BOUQUET OF VIOLETS by Debra A. Cole is a historical drama that truly comes alive with so much modern resonance. Based on real characters from history, the individual persons and their relationships are so cleverly revealed through joys and conflicts of secret loves and lovers in late 19th century France. And the addition of real works of art create such striking visuals to compliment this dynamic story. A wonderful read that would be a delight to stage.

Adult friendships can be just as challenging as adult romance and in THE MATCHMAKER by Mindy R. Roll, we're treated to a dose of both with wonderful comedy and poignant moments throughout. I was excited to watch this play come alive on stage at the William Inge Theatre Festival.

A summer romance offers so many possibilities. And in the care of Philip Middleton Williams, the story takes turns that delight and surprise. In CABANA BOY, we meet a cast of characters who go beyond stereotypes and embody humanity in all our complex identities and grounded desires. Philip takes us on a positive queer journey with humor and romance that offers so many possibilities beyond just one summer.

It takes incredible skill and insight to write a comedy that addresses such important and complex issues as reproduction freedom and the agency of older adults. And in ABORT: THE MISSION, Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend expertly navigates it all with a story that entertains as much as it educates. This farce is grounded in such real emotions and realities, making the contrast even more powerful throughout. This is a play not to be missed written by an author with incredible talent and empathy.

In #BLESSED by Lainie Vansant, we're treated to a powerfully heartfelt play that combines humor and faith in new perspectives. The impact of social media frames the relationship between mother and daughter, a point of contention that evolves into the spark of newfound honesty and change. I saw a wonderful reading of this play at the William Inge Theatre Festival and the responses were incredible.