Recommended by Jack Levine

“Cricket”, by ERIN OSGOOD, is a beautiful, loving, sentimental play of the closeness one can feel towards a spouse, who has recently passed away. With heart, and truly a touch of tenderness, this play will deeply touch an audience.

KAREN FIX CURRY’s full-length play, “Siblings”, is a witty, insightful, and downright fun incursion into the ‘marriage happenings’, or not, of three sisters. I thoroughly enjoyed this madcap comedy, where each sister has a different perspective and experience with marriage. Through their love for each other, and their own differences, they try to help each other and themselves to find happiness. I highly recommend this play, as audiences will enjoy the witty dialogue.

“Just Another Day”, a play by DAN WEST, is absolutely a most charming, witty, and original dark comedy. It’s about a man who has a terrible day but manages to find his way to the ‘next thing’. Certainly, this is true for many people. This play MUST be included in as many play festivals as possible, as it will certainly please the audiences. Thank you, Dan, for writing a real winner!

JOHN BUSSER’s ten-minute play, “Taken To School”, has all the elements of a ‘poetic justice’, with a nice twist. John never disappoints with his wonderful plays. This is no exception. I look forward to enjoying this play at the East/West Fest.

“On The Occasion Of An Expired Food Inspection” by GEORGIA XANTHOPOULOU is, in essence, a metaphor of sorts, which one can extract a very meaningful truism: We can build our own walls, prison of a kind, to fest over something so trite and inconsequential. To some, this may be a ‘vacation’, or one might say, “Wallowing in the dark shadows of our mind as if it’s as natural as can be. Where we somehow feel comfortable, like a vacation.” Truly, we need to forgive ourselves for not being perfect.

GEORGIA XANTHOPOULOU’s monologue, “Under The Constellation Of Auriga (One-Minute Play)”, is heartfelt, painful, yet loving story of the birth and early months of life of an elderly woman, as she remembers it. I was so moved by this, in its incredible pure emotional impact, the loving kindness and binding love of two sisters, and the eventual re-connection of the father to his child, after losing his wife as she gave birth. I strongly recommend this monologue. It will bring tears and joy. BRAVO!

GEORGIA XANTHOPOULOU’s monologue, “The Game’, is so reminiscent of what I remember of my youth. I was the one coming in last. I wasn’t big, certainly not strong, definitely shy. When the one who we all admired spoke, it was like ‘The Word’. Thus, the game was in reality fixed. Later, as I moved into adulthood, I felt compelled to adhere to the Rules (expectations, limitations, obstacles) that Society (The Ruling Class) dictated as being ‘good, right and proper’. This monologue spoke to me.

We sometimes look as hard as we can to find ‘the one we are meant to be with’. But, in a world where things can randomly happen, a chance meeting can turnout to be an unexpected wonderful outcome. KEN PREUSS’s “A Benevolent Alliance Of Mourners” tells of a meeting of two strangers outside of a church, where a funeral service is about to take place. I found this play to be sweet, endearing, and encouraging, especially for two people who may have found a way to be hopeful for their future.

I’m going to say something and it’s going to be something or something like that. Yes, it’s weird but so very wonderful! KEN LEVINE, no relationship to me, has written “Every 10 Minute Play In 10 Minutes”. Oh, what a ride! You will love this play! It’s witty and a laugh out-loud gem.

It’s been a LONG time since I had a first date. Nevertheless, this ten-minute play, “Last First Date” by KRISTIN OLINGER, encapsulates the ‘pulls and tugs’ of boy wanting to impress but really wanting something more. It certainly provides a lesson to be learned for girls who are starting to date. As a parent of three daughters, I was on Nadia’s side. This is a well-written play.