Recommended by John Mabey

This is a an urgent and compelling work of art with layers upon layers of meaning that are revealed throughout. In ABIGAIL by Sarah Tuft, the backdrop of The Crucible connects so vividly and sharply with a modern-day production of that work, bridging together two worlds that aren't so very far apart. With incredible clarity and vision, Tuft brings fresh insight to a classic work while creating a new play that entertains on multiple levels.

The story, dialogue, and poetry of FAMILY BY NUMBERS by Arianna Rose leaps off the page instantly. This is that perfect kind of play where the rhythms of the lines are so clear that you can visualize the production upon first reading. Arianna has a unique way of weaving the comedy with the drama at just the right moments, too. This is a special play so deserving of all the accolades it has received.

Mistaken Identity has never been so much fun as in SECONDHAND SOUL by Ava Love Hanna. The comedy unfolds brilliantly as a delightful queer love story also takes focus. The pacing is wonderful, too, as the 3 characters make reveals and each discovery builds on the previous. I'd love to see this one staged.

This is a delicate and urgent story that unfolds at such expert pacing in AN ESTUARY by Nick Malakhow. The structure of this play is very dynamic as secrets are revealed and hard truths are explored without flinching away from the raw emotions underneath. I was especially taken with the character of Lia and how she's depicted with such complexity, especially as she's making discoveries at the same time as the audience. The dialogue is also incredibly beautiful and sharp at the same time, making this a piece that both moves and entertains.

This time of year I love reading holiday plays and my favorites are the poignant kind that have a mixture of something sharp with the sweet. In IF ONLY IN MY DREAMS, Paul Donnelly expertly weaves a much longer story into 10 minutes, delivering reveals and surprises at the perfect moments. It's a story of guilt and forgiveness that's creatively explored through both dialogue and action. And the characters he's created will stay with you long afterward, too.

There is so much richness to be explored within ABANDON ALL HOPE by Peter Fenton, especially his parallels between life and death as we form relationships. The structure is both innovative and exciting as the afterlife is envisioned as an escape room, complete with a brilliantly devised character in the form of a trickster demon. There are also so many thrilling ways to stage this piece, complete with 'memory sequences' that expand the world of the story even further.

Healing comes in all sorts of unexpected shapes and forms, and never quite looks the same even for a couple. In DIVIDED REQUIEM, Paul Donnelly beautifully and poignantly captures what this moment looks like for a gay couple experiencing the loss of their son. As the men forget their own paths through grief, Donnelly shows how both are valid even as they diverge. This is a delicate play with so much subtext for actors, directors, and lighting designers to explore.

Arianna Rose is a writer who not only creates such poignant and beautiful plays, but also constructs works with such dynamic and elegant structures. In THE DATING POOL, we meet multiple selves of a woman who is living an active life. Through each of their perspectives, we learn about her journey as well as the shifting perspectives we have as we age. There is such richness in this play that makes it a wonderful playground for creative teams and captivating for the audience.

What an outrageously funny play and wonderful tribute to the art of improv. In ANNND SCENE (OF THE CRIME) by John Busser we get the joy of improv with the solid structure of funny whodunit. It'll not only be a hit with audiences but great fun for performers who enjoy physical comedy and spontaneity.

SEAHORSE by J.C. Pankratz is an exquisite play that explores life and hope in the midst of grief and questions. The character of Reuben is so clearly and expertly drawn while also being completely new and unseen before on stage. Beyond the beautiful representation of a trans man in a story about insemination, this play breaks even more ground with the appearances of mythological, religious, and literary figures who all continue to reveal the story. This is a production I'd love to watch unfold on stage, and a dream for creative teams to explore and realize.