Recommended by John Mabey

In SHOELACES, Elisabeth Giffin Speckman has crafted a fascinating tale of chance meetings where not everything is as it seems. With clever dialogue, great pacing, and hidden surprises, the story takes unexpected turns as secrets and mysterious motivations lead to a thrilling ending.

I had the joy of watching THANK YOU, TWO by John Minigan and was so captivated by the relationship between these two high schoolers on the cusp of adulthood, striving to better understand themselves and their relationship. Set backstage against the backdrop of a play, their relationship takes center stage and mirrors so beautifully the production they're both working. A wonderful addition to play festivals and a treat for those of us who have lived similar experiences, too.

I love romantic comedies and SECONDS by Ken Preuss is one of my favorites. Two women reconnecting after a first date navigate the highs and lows of both planning for a second as well as dating during a quarantine. And through it all, this play is full of hope and anticipation with plenty of anxiety and uncertainty in the mix - just like love itself.

It's rare for a romcom to work so beautifully in a police station line-up. And in THE MEN IN THE MIRROR, Ken Preuss succeeds by masterfully infusing each line with double meanings, making everything fall into place with plenty of romance to spare. And the wonderful surprise at the end works so well as he keeps us incredibly entertained throughout.

Ken Preuss has crafted such a beautiful trio of short scenes that comprise a magical evening of theatre. Taking us on a journey that spans 60 years, SHAPES AND STANZAS explores three significant moments in the couple's rich history. He provides the perfect amount of story to answer our questions about their lives over this long span while also leaving us with exciting anticipation over what happens next. The poetry of geometry has never been more entertaining or romantic.

In TO THE ZOOM AND BACK, Cindi Sansone-Braff delivered big laughs and big emotion, too. When these seniors decide to meet on a Zoom date, they delve into the highs and lows of technology while also sharing their loneliness and need for connection. And it's absolutely refreshing to see older performers given such rich material to explore! With such well-written dialogue, an amazing premise, and two endearing characters, this play is quite the hit.

In YOU BELONG TO ME, Debbie Lamedman has written such a powerful play in response to teen dating violence. She approaches this challenging topic with an incredible amount of skill, compassion, and understanding. And the realistic dialogue really captures the flow and energy of High School while giving a specific voice to each character in this world. The play also incorporates interludes which are incredibly original and so effective in their placement to both heighten and further explore dialogue in the other scenes. A truly brave play that raises awareness about such an important issue. Bravo!

In TWISTED SISTER, Dan Taube has crafted a fascinating psychological study of siblings and abuse. Set in 1947, the play also has a contemporary feel as it sharply explores rivalry and manipulation with a complexity of affection at its core. There's so much to unravel in this short play and the broader world of the family is wildly interesting, too.

This play is wonderful in many ways, and the direct representation of disability with honesty and humor is so original and much needed in theatre. The writing is fresh and genuine, and the relationship between the men offers a universe of potential in a location that could easily be the opposite. An absolutely gripping first 10 minutes of a full length that makes you want to explore the entirety of this world and its many possibilities.

Ken Preuss is masterful at providing so much comedy and heart in the same play. And in TAKING SUM LUMPS, he succeeds while also making back luck feel so good. Two characters with distinct points of view and needs are brought together after a mirror breaks, but it's not only the mirror that gets put back together. With hilarious revelations, unexpected connections, and a little magic, this short play is one sum lump of comedy gold.