Recommended by Peter Dakutis

Baker brilliantly illustrates the old adage "Give people enough rope and they'll hang themselves" in this excellent monologue. Homophobic Mabel, going on about the interracial same-sex couple across the street, may be offering brownies to her listeners, but Baker gives Mabel her just deserts. Delicious!

How do you respond to senseless violence? DC Cathro offers an insightful First Lesson. It's a beautiful play that builds slowly and then delivers a punch to the gut that would leave you shattered, if not for the compassion and humanity that motivates the characters. I saw Tiny Theatre's excellent performance and was very moved by the play, as were the other viewers. This play needs to be seen by audiences.

D. Lee Miller follows a couple through Ferris wheel rides over the years, beginning with their first date. Like Thornton Wilder, Miller uses repetition to convey the passage of time and illustrate changes in the couple's lives, which are not always for the better. This expertly constructed play builds to a very touching ending. I loved taking a ride on this Ferris wheel, and audiences should also find it very moving.

The mugger in this brilliantly funny play doesn't just steal money and possessions; the mugger also steals illusions, as the couple being mugged find out. I found myself rooting for Rachel Feeny-Williams's sarcastic thief, who sets the comedy in motion. I'd love to see more of this character, who makes the play such a treat!

This is a great little piece. I saw Tiny Theatre perform it, and it was a lot of fun. A confrontation between a tennis pro and his neighbor ends abruptly, but justice is served. Brilliant characters for actors to play with.

Vivian Lermond is a master at creating vibrant and totally believable characters that you are happy to spend some time with. I saw the excellent Tiny Theatre performance of this piece, and it showed how generous Lermond is in giving actors so much to work with. Very funny and charming, this lovely play would be a great addition to any holiday 10-minute play festival.

This is such a sweet play, perfectly done. Read it. You'll smile.

I saw Tiny Theatre's reading of this play and absolutely loved it! Ten-minute play festival audiences will love it, too. Misfortune is wildly funny and has vividly drawn characters, who are on a first date. Cannady expertly surprises you with the ending and leaves you wanting to see these characters on more dates. Read it (or produce it) and let Misfortune smile upon you.

This is a very cute and clever monologue that made me smile. A great Valentine's Day present from playwright Lee Lawing!

Claudia Haas brilliantly illustrates what many people feared at the start of the pandemic: cats were not happy about having their people at home with them all day. The only problem with this hilarious piece is that it's too short. It could easily be a 10-minute play and a hit at festivals. Actors would have a blast with it, and audiences would be left purring approvingly.