Recommended by John Mabey

Love can inspire us at any age. And in THE DOBLER EFFECT, John Minigan gives us two original, unique characters in play that's filled with nostalgic goodness. The awkwardness and hilarity of courting and romance are in full effect as well, where the ages of the characters highlight even more the complexities of finding love as seniors. This is definitely a romantic comedy worthy of grand gestures and cinematic classics.

The verdict is in, and FAMILY JUSTICE serves more laughs than the law allows. In this fun comedy, James McLindon takes a typical scenario in a family and transforms it so cleverly into a spoof of your favorite crime procedural. This play makes for such a great addition to short play festivals and will leave the audience arrested with delight.

This is such a fun and engaging comedy from David Lipschutz - and he had me at 'a la Murder, She Wrote.' In THE PI(E) GUY, we meet a cast of characters worthy of their own television pilot, but with the exciting element of being written for the stage. It's an incredibly creative and well-paced script that would be exciting to see produced on stage and even as part of a theatrical series.

THEN AND NOW is an exquisite piece that explores a relationship over time with subtext and humor and realism. At the core it's a love story that features a lesbian couple who are neither idealized nor criticized but are rather shown in their many colors. Also beautiful is a lifespan glimpse of this couple at key moments of their lives together. Colette Cullen has written a piece that deserves its accolades and many productions to come.

Debbie Lamedman writes delicious plays that make you instantly visualize the scene as you read. And in MIND CONTROL, this is especially true. Perfect for a Zoom production, the play is both funny and sensual, giving a great balance between the comedy and something more. This piece is also wonderful for performers to explore the boundaries of fantasy and connection.

Ryan Kaminski has crafted such an engrossing tale in THE DEAL. Both characters are cleverly written and layered as revelations expose different sides of their personalities. And just when you think you know where the story is headed, it takes another thrilling turn. Very impressive and well-structured for a short play that delivers exciting surprises up until the final page.

It's a challenging endeavor to write about the time of the pandemic, and Adam Richter skillfully does so with both empathy and understanding. As the sisters navigate their familiar but uncertain surroundings, they also explore their relationship to each other and society. Moving and entertaining, this play would be a delight to watch on stage as well.

Samantha Marchant creates such a rich world in A QUICK 15 and so familiar for anyone who's tried to take a quick break when working in a shop. The characters each have different voices and their camaraderie shines through the shared frustrations and humor. A comedy that's fun on its own or expanded as part of a larger piece, too.

TO THE MOON! is such a fun ride, and Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend has written a wonderfully funny and unique short play about space travel and relationships. The stakes are high in this comedy, and offers performers a playground of possibilities for staging, too. Buckle-in for a rough landing, indeed!

What an exciting theatrical adventure! The structure and pacing of PERFECT WOMEN was thoroughly engaging and the story captivating. Emma Goldman-Sherman masterfully explores young queer identity and gender roles in a fantastical way while grounding the play in realistic explorations of self-esteem and self-harm. Throughout the play is a core theme of how we see ourselves in relation to being seen by the world, and learning to love those parts in ourselves that remain undiscovered.