Recommended by John Mabey

My favorite kind of horror blends elements of other genres to take me on an unexpected journey. And that's why I devoured IN THE SLUSH by Daniel Prillaman so quickly and excitedly. From the start I had assumptions about what was coming next, and each new surprise was so well constructed in terms of characters and relationships. This play has an amazing premise coupled with fantastic writing, and it will be living in my head for a while to come.

THE HOUSE OF FLIGHTLESS BIRDS by Baylee Shlichtman is such a unique and poetic portrait of a family with all of its complications exposed. There's a beautiful tenderness throughout in sharp contrast to moments of high stakes and urgent decisions. I also loved the intersectionality of the characters, moving beyond limited stereotypes and centering identity in all its complexity.

In THE MANUSCRIPT by Matt Hoffman there are layers of beautiful meaning woven into a play that is filled with drama and thrills but also hope. As characters fight to remember the person they've both lost, the act of honoring those memories is changed by the different ways in which they both knew her. And in finding a common truth, they connect even more to each other as the ones left behind. There's so much poignancy and poetry throughout this dynamic play.

URASHIMA TARO by Morey Norkin is a thrilling dramatization of Japanese folklore that is entertaining for both younger and older audiences. Morey does a wonderful job in ten minutes of transporting us to a Japanese village, under the water, and into the future while never losing our way as the audience. He's created an amazing world in this play with so many magical ways to bring it to life on stage and plenty to discuss afterward as well.

In THE CARE AND FEEDING OF RESTLESS SPIRITS by Aly Kantor, we're gifted an exquisitely crafted story that kept me captivated from start to finish. Set in the 1920s, there are so many wonderful lines throughout and it keeps the dialogue sharp and vibrant as it explores gender, sexuality, spirituality, and so much more. Each character is wonderfully developed and I kept imagining the dynamic production as I read. This play will be incredibly exciting for a creative team and audiences alike. I can't wait to buy my ticket.

In POTENT by Evan Baughfman we're treated to a horrifically hysterical encounter. It's between two friends and a zombie - or the idea of a zombie - but the audience gets to enjoy every 'what if' along the way. And that's only part of the fun as they explore the consequences and benefits of their life choices as they're actually exploring their own friendship too. High stakes indeed.

Relationships, grief, and identity collide in such powerful ways in WHOLE AGAINST THE SKY by Paul Donnelly. The structure of the play mirrors the connected and isolated ways in which these characters relate to each other and themselves. With empathy and insight, Paul creates such distinct and real characters while exploring deep and difficult truths. The ending also pays tribute to the often complicated ways that stories conclude while providing sparks of promise for the future.

Whether you're a baseball fan or not, RIGHT FIELD OF DREAMS by Stephen Kaplan will both inspire and uplift. And what's especially dynamic about this play is the way it's written with such clarity about being a gay youth while also so natural in its dialogue. I have such hope for these characters after the play ends and it's that feeling that also makes this play shine.

There are so many new and exciting stories to tell with non-binary characters. And in THANKS FOR THE MAMMARIES by Bailey Jordan Garcia we are gifted with a hilariously poignant and beautiful play that is a love letter to transness. The journey to feel comfortable and authentic in our own bodies is what everyone deserves, and this play delivers while also making us laugh and feel safe. Such a wonderful combination.

AFFINITY LUNCH MINUTES by Nick Malakhow is an incredibly powerful play that I read more than once so I could spend even more time with these characters. The dialogue is so rich and layered, giving deep subtext between the words and moments. And as the story unfolds, the intersectional ways in which the characters connect and collide is masterfully done, exploring racism, diversity, queerness, and whiteness more deeply than I've read before. It would be such a gift to watch this play unfold on stage, and I have no doubt that I'll have that opportunity soon. Produce this play.