Recommended by John Mabey

Robert Weibezahl writes powerful monologues and WRONG TURN is one of his best. In times of death we often reflect on life, and this piece takes us on a journey of surprises and revelations for both character and audience. There's so much to unravel in living a life we didn't fully choose, and Weibezahl gives us such a full history of different lives in just a few pages.

You are immediately transported to a British tearoom in this funny short from Rachel Feeny-Williams. NO MORE TEA offers an outrageously fun culture crash and comedic meltdown with panache. The characters are well-drawn and the wordplay delightful.

In CAMPUS CAMPER: A COLLEGE MONOLOGUE there is an incredible amount of depth and transformation for a character who is more than one layer. Asher Wyndham writes dialogue that flows from the character so naturalistically and yet still manages to surprise. I find this central character absolutely fascinating and the way in which they both see the world and their place inside of it (also exciting that the character may be of any gender). This is a monologue that will both entertain and inspire great discussion as well.

This is a wonderful 1-minute play and BONUS POINT is a perfect example of how much story can be crafted in such a short time. It's clear that Steven G. Martin has envisioned so many details of this broad world in the year 2117 with clever hints to our future throughout. The ending really packs a punch in a darkly comedic and thrilling manner.

What a deliciously funny play! Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend takes us on a fantastic adventure in THE EARLY FLIGHT with jealousy, high comedy, and milkshakes with a side of cake. The couple at the center of this play deal with a grounded reality in marriage while the situation around them rises to comedic heights. I was laughing throughout and picturing the staging in my head at the same time. Well done!

I adore plays that take even a slight twist on any season, and EVERYBODY HATES MARIAH CAREY majorly twists in such delectable ways. The holidays might be tough for many reasons, where not everyone has reason to celebrate, and the ways that Rachael Carnes heightens those reasons are darkly funny but also healing for those struggling with an otherwise joyful season. Christmastime can be tough and it's important to celebrate that, too.

There are many ways to celebrate culinary delights, and everyone has their preference. In POULTRY ... PLEASE!, we meet a couple who suffers through one dinner but celebrate their relationship by running to another. And in the process, Vivian Lermond makes us laugh and remember to-each-their-own.

This monologue HIBERNUS is such a beautiful ode to the changing of seasons and how each might be embraced differently, especially with time and new perspectives. Well done, Vivian Lermond, and for framing renewal in this dynamic way.

There is so much lyrical fabulousness to Vivian Lermond's MILLICENT AND MARLEE'S MINCE PIE MISADVENTURE! The sisters, the town and all the characters within are colorful and hysterical. Each deserving of their own play and the delightful misadventures within. Thanksgivin' indeed.

Every year I say I won't watch sappy seasonal movies, and every year I do! In GOIN’ BACK TO GOONSVILLE, Vivian Lermond reminds me why I enjoy them and always come back for more. Lermond plays with the formula in creative ways and adds enough detail that could easily lengthen this into its own film. With a spoof of memorable characters and a traditional story with refreshing twists, this is one sappy seasonal movie I'd gladly watch on repeat.