Recommended by Jack Levine

RUBEN CARBAJAL’s one-minute play is touching, tragic, and taunting as a father and son contemplate their estrangement over the years. “Reunion” is a powerful piece.

DC CATHRO captures a parental moment, when a teenager is all about themselves. They think only in terms of how they are personally impacted. They are oblivious to how much their parents willingly sacrifice for them. “Competition Postponed Due To Weather” should be included in festivals, as it will be a very worthwhile addition for young and old alike.

ELISABETH GIFFIN SPECKMAN’s one-minute play is about a separated couple. Each has their perceptions of what the other might be thinking or doing. Time and distance have a way of revealing so much about how each one truly feels and thinks about the relationship. “Disengaged Bedfellows (1 Minute Play)” is one you definitely want to read and see performed.

STEVEN G. MARTIN uses only one-minute to let us watch the connection, empathy, compassion, feelings, and other emotions (unfortunately) rarely shown by men in public. “Exhale (A 1-Minute Play” is a beautiful piece.

MONICA CROSS writes so well. Two co-workers, who really don’t know much about each other, discover grief can be hard to handle. The younger worker has been put in a predicament and the older worker has offered some help. “The Cage Which Holds A Heart” is a recognition of how some painful events are extremely hard to overcome, yet there is hope we can eventually move on. I was captivated by this play, as I am sure audiences will be.

MATTHEW WEAVER totally amazed me with his play, “A Zillion Kinds of Kisses”. I had no idea there were so many different kisses, but even more amazing, I didn’t know a play of types of kisses could be so much fun.

JOHN BUSSER has a sense of humor that I truly love. “A First-Draft Second-Rate Love Story” had me laughing out loud throughout the play. As an actor, I could feel the frustration of ever changing dialogue, different scripts being used by the actors in a rehearsal, and a playwright who is constantly changing his mind. Audiences will love this play. I definitely loved it!

LARRY RINKEL’s play, “Capriccio Radio”, deals with the pulls-and-tugs of corporate America’s desire for more wealth and the value and joy of music to society. I watched this play performed on Zoom, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I highly recommend this play. Play Festivals should put this play on their Program.

RACHAEL CARNES’ short piece is all about “Large-Heart Giving”. Two people seek to please their significant other, and the result is a gift of complete generosity or utter foolishness. You pick. But no matter what you decide, you will enjoy reading this.

ELISABETH GIFFIN SPECKMAN writes an emotional, heartfelt, and powerful piece of the impact of separation during Covid-19. I love the remembrances of things not understood as a child which become meaningful to the young mother, who is now a parent and sadly watches her young child miss out on the simple pleasures of playing with a friend. “Eliana - Monologue” touched my heart.