Recommended by John Mabey

In MEDUSA, MODERN WOMAN, Lizzy Santana crafts such an exciting play combining Greek mythology with a nuanced and modern view of Medusa. There's so much here for directors and performers to explore as a familiar character comes alive in new ways through a different lens. I had the joy of watching this piece come alive during a reading at the William Inge Theatre Festival and can't wait to see where it goes next.

In SPUTNIK, Everett Robert combines real characters and events into a fascinating and engaging period play that connects to modern life. And by framing the historical record within the unexpected world of pro wrestling, the landscape of civil rights in 1950s Tennessee comes alive in such engaging ways. I had the pleasure of watching a reading of this work at the William Inge Theatre Festival and it received such high remarks from both respondents and audiences alike.

There's a saying that 'you can never really go home again' and it changes meaning the older that we get. But in MIRROR POND by Adam Richter, we're able to look at that idea and the meanings of home through an entirely new perspective of animals and nature. With insight and humor, Richter has crafted an wonderfully entertaining and thoughtful audio play that can be enjoyed anywhere in the world and especially at the Reading Public Museum arboretum.

The amazing structure of DOUBLE HELIX by Vince Gatton is as innovative and poetic as the dialogue. Vince has an incredible skill with storytelling and in this play it delights and surprises from start to finish. I also deeply resonated with the themes of science and faith, navigated by two siblings who share a bond even they cannot fully fathom. This play leaps from the page in a multidimensional way as you read and I can't wait to watch it transform even more on stage.

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.