Recommended by John Patrick Bray

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    When the childhood fear of monsters disappear, all that remains are disappointed adults staring in their mirrors. A new fear emerges: is this who I am? But what if we dress up as ourselves for Halloween? By dressing as our true selves for one night, perhaps we won't be as terrified to see the same face in the mirror, day-in, day-out. This may lead to a new beginning. Heyman has written a lovely meditation on aging, fear of death, and the true meaning of Halloween (and "fangering!").

    When the childhood fear of monsters disappear, all that remains are disappointed adults staring in their mirrors. A new fear emerges: is this who I am? But what if we dress up as ourselves for Halloween? By dressing as our true selves for one night, perhaps we won't be as terrified to see the same face in the mirror, day-in, day-out. This may lead to a new beginning. Heyman has written a lovely meditation on aging, fear of death, and the true meaning of Halloween (and "fangering!").

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    As others have commented, the play captures the theme of "be careful what you wish for" splendidly. But it's heartbreaking. There's a sadness at the core of this play that's so beautiful, so relatable, it truly makes one ache. But the characters that populate Williams's "Marley's Ghost" are not displaying their pain. They're remembering the laughter, the joy, and the hope for another encounter one day. This is a terrific play!

    As others have commented, the play captures the theme of "be careful what you wish for" splendidly. But it's heartbreaking. There's a sadness at the core of this play that's so beautiful, so relatable, it truly makes one ache. But the characters that populate Williams's "Marley's Ghost" are not displaying their pain. They're remembering the laughter, the joy, and the hope for another encounter one day. This is a terrific play!

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    A family gathers for dinner. Dad has passed, and now grown children have expectations of money being bequeathed; however, these expectations are shattered, as they learn Dad's dark secret: it's something terrible, something that may be passed down to each generation. Braverman's writing is tight and the script is hilarious. Some of the lines had me HOWLing. (Sorry, Paul!) I hope to see this play staged! A perfect horror-comedy!

    A family gathers for dinner. Dad has passed, and now grown children have expectations of money being bequeathed; however, these expectations are shattered, as they learn Dad's dark secret: it's something terrible, something that may be passed down to each generation. Braverman's writing is tight and the script is hilarious. Some of the lines had me HOWLing. (Sorry, Paul!) I hope to see this play staged! A perfect horror-comedy!

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    I had the pleasure of seeing a staged-reading of Hockey Wives at the 2025 Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival. I grew up in the Northeast and these characters sound so authentic. Dating a star player certainly gives one a sense of status, of total control. But are we ever really in control? Questions of consent, sexuality, and a desire to fit in (or not fit in) are treated honestly, brutally. The ending is a well-earned gut punch. I desperately want to see Hockey Wives produced!

    I had the pleasure of seeing a staged-reading of Hockey Wives at the 2025 Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival. I grew up in the Northeast and these characters sound so authentic. Dating a star player certainly gives one a sense of status, of total control. But are we ever really in control? Questions of consent, sexuality, and a desire to fit in (or not fit in) are treated honestly, brutally. The ending is a well-earned gut punch. I desperately want to see Hockey Wives produced!

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    I had the pleasure of seeing a staged-reading of Six Inches Above the Knee at the 2025 Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival. Seitz has crafted something truly special. The girls that populate this school support each other, even when they sometimes get it wrong. They have ownership over their narrative showing us the true danger Coach Meg presents. And what will become of Coach Meg? Well, it's their play, after all! They get to decide. Six Inches Above the Knee is a theatrical triumph.

    I had the pleasure of seeing a staged-reading of Six Inches Above the Knee at the 2025 Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival. Seitz has crafted something truly special. The girls that populate this school support each other, even when they sometimes get it wrong. They have ownership over their narrative showing us the true danger Coach Meg presents. And what will become of Coach Meg? Well, it's their play, after all! They get to decide. Six Inches Above the Knee is a theatrical triumph.

  • John Patrick Bray: The Hanging Girl by Aleks Merilo
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    I had the pleasure of seeing The Hanging Girl at the 2025 Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival. Good God, it's terrifying! Often, Horror on stage falls into either camp or parody; but this piece plays it straight. A group of teens. The Woods. A dirty secret. A puppet. A ghost. An old story pushing through the barriers of time into the present with terrible consequences. This play is expertly crafted and tightly woven. Read with the lights on!

    I had the pleasure of seeing The Hanging Girl at the 2025 Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival. Good God, it's terrifying! Often, Horror on stage falls into either camp or parody; but this piece plays it straight. A group of teens. The Woods. A dirty secret. A puppet. A ghost. An old story pushing through the barriers of time into the present with terrible consequences. This play is expertly crafted and tightly woven. Read with the lights on!

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  • John Patrick Bray: Squishy Emotional Insides by Mehrnaz Tiv
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    I had the pleasure of seeing a staged reading of Squishy Emotional Insides at the 2025 Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival. It is a wildly theatrical, hilarious, moving, and truly poignant work. We meet characters haunted by gun violence; by near-misses in social connections; and driven by a desire to get it right. Even when they argue, you can feel the characters rooting for each other (which is not always easy to do when emotions run high). This play needs to be produced. Chirp!

    I had the pleasure of seeing a staged reading of Squishy Emotional Insides at the 2025 Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival. It is a wildly theatrical, hilarious, moving, and truly poignant work. We meet characters haunted by gun violence; by near-misses in social connections; and driven by a desire to get it right. Even when they argue, you can feel the characters rooting for each other (which is not always easy to do when emotions run high). This play needs to be produced. Chirp!

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  • John Patrick Bray: Getting Rid of Ferdinand (the mouse play) by Sierra Blanco
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    I had the pleasure of seeing a reading of Getting Rid of Ferdinand at the 2025 Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival. It is at times funny and poignant, with an unexpected twist. What is "Ferdinand" really all about? Something I love about this play is how much Livy and Bebe clearly care about each other and support each other even while negotiating over a rat. These are rich and caring characters begging to be performed. Produce this play!

    I had the pleasure of seeing a reading of Getting Rid of Ferdinand at the 2025 Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival. It is at times funny and poignant, with an unexpected twist. What is "Ferdinand" really all about? Something I love about this play is how much Livy and Bebe clearly care about each other and support each other even while negotiating over a rat. These are rich and caring characters begging to be performed. Produce this play!

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  • John Patrick Bray: MODERN MIRACLE by Steven G. Martin
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    A hilarious modern spin on The Last Supper. Jesus has made dinner for all. A get together with friends. A night of Cardboadeux and Go Fish. But there are so many preferences. And allergies. The Apostles have been replaced with Hipsters! Equal parts reverent and irreverent, Steven G. Martin reminds us that it is best to be courteous to our host (Holy or otherwise). And for the love of G-d, chew your food!

    A hilarious modern spin on The Last Supper. Jesus has made dinner for all. A get together with friends. A night of Cardboadeux and Go Fish. But there are so many preferences. And allergies. The Apostles have been replaced with Hipsters! Equal parts reverent and irreverent, Steven G. Martin reminds us that it is best to be courteous to our host (Holy or otherwise). And for the love of G-d, chew your food!

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  • John Patrick Bray: Strangers Off a Train by Samara Siskind
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    I had the pleasure of seeing this play performed at the Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival. Siskind's characters are richly drawn. The story engages deeply with a "What if?" "What if a man starts talking to you when you're waiting on the Subway platform? What if he's dangerous? What if he has ulterior motives that may surprise you?" "Strangers Off a Train" offers a glimpse into the everyday fears women face in public spaces, as well as the comfort that sometimes people are here to help.

    I had the pleasure of seeing this play performed at the Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival. Siskind's characters are richly drawn. The story engages deeply with a "What if?" "What if a man starts talking to you when you're waiting on the Subway platform? What if he's dangerous? What if he has ulterior motives that may surprise you?" "Strangers Off a Train" offers a glimpse into the everyday fears women face in public spaces, as well as the comfort that sometimes people are here to help.

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