Recommended by John Mabey

In CHOP SUEY, D. Lee Miller gives us a highly entertaining and nuanced look at 1920s America and the changing values of the times. In this play inspired by a painting, two sisters with their own dreams and insecurities collide over a dress which represents much more to their relationship than just a garment. I also enjoyed a reading of this play and it offered such wonderful characters for performers to explore. Well done!

The celebratory setting of this play is a beautiful juxtaposition to the journey of mother and son finding their way back to each other. And Christian St. Croix writes with an incredible empathy and insight as they naturally stumble along the way. The stage directions also reveal so much and a profound understanding of the ways these characters both connect and hide from each other and themselves. This is a play I'd love to watch staged and all the amazing moments the playwright has created both in the dialogue and between the words.

I'm in love with the thrilling world Christian St. Croix has created in BREV, and most especially with love itself. Against the backdrop of an alien invasion is a queer story of romance and comedy, aliens and antennae. And with a global revolution at stake, at the core are 2 people who managed to find each other across galaxies.

Robin Berl crafts so much emotion and story into 10-minutes with MATRIARCHY. Two sisters on a special day explore all the complicated aspects of faith and family while making us laugh at the same time. Their bond and chemistry is strong, and Berl writes with much clarity and precision as each sister expresses her point of view. A powerful piece that resonated with me on several levels and is sure to be a hit when produced.

This monologue is special and beautiful and tragic and hopeful, all at the same time. 20 by Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend reflects so intimately on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and how this character has woven the aftermath into her life. It is filled with empathy and growth after loss, showcasing amazing writing and perspective by the playwright as well.

Just in time for Halloween is TRICK OR TREAT by Vivian Lermond! A delightfully funny and spooky tale about childhood, nostalgia, and those houses that to children seem like horrific creatures themselves. 'Batty Bottoms' is also a fantastic character (and fantastically named) - I'm sure she'd greatly approve of this monologue, too.

There is an incredible amount of passion and poetry in GROWL, and the writing of J.Lois Diamond shines as do the words of poet Simin Behbahani. There is such great anticipation from each moment to the next in this explosive 2-hander, and the power of hope in the face of oppression. The play closes with a wonderfully unexpected and highly earned moment as well. Produce this play!

Lucy Wang has such a wonderful way with both comedy and drama. And in TAO OF FRUIT she takes a difficult conversation and creates a delightful feast. What might be a familiar experience to many when coming-out is crafted here as something very unique. And this comedic but poignant moment between father and son is elevated through a cultural lens as well as the setting as a backdrop to their own special relationship.

There's an emotional tension to this well-written play that builds in such natural and clever ways. Paul Smith writes with empathy and intrigue where the characters come alive at the intersection of gender and sexuality. A BREAK is a beautifully complex play with powerful themes and an ending that suggests many more stories in this world as well.

Asher Wyndham writes the most compelling and layered monologues that leap from the page as you read. And this is absolutely the case with MISTER MARTIN: A SPECIAL ED TEACHER MONOLOGUE. The opening visuals immediately capture your attention and the laughs make the poignant moments even more powerful. There's so much depth and meaning that's revealed and unraveled about these students and the person in charge who's battling even more than you realize.