Recommended by Jack Levine

GREG HATFIELD puts us in the middle of a discussion between an agent and director, who want to make a sequel to the 'greatest movie ever made', Citizen Kane. What's to hold them back? No script, no rights, no nothing. But all is well. "The Sequel to Citizen Kane" needs to be made - or not - but you do need to read this witty play to find out! This play can work well on Zoom or onstage.

MONICA CROSS’s depiction of a bit of history - although not necessarily factual in the actual dialogue - is so ironic. A young king explains why his younger brother will never be king. We know what happened in reality. “King Now” is well-done.

JOHN BUSSER has written a sci-fi with out-of-date jokes, old style 50s sci fi, and over-the-top (of buildings) characters. This is a really fun play and would be an audience favorite. You will laugh out loud at the absurdities. While ‘real-size’ people are being crushed, you can enjoy the romantic date of two large personalities, or whatever you choose to call them.

VIVIAN LERMOND’s “Take Away (from the Tapas Collection)” reminded me of the banter you sometimes hear between a parent and adult child. Although there seems to be conflict, the true love of a mother and child shines through most of the time. Older folks have their routines, their settled opinions, and their well-worn expectations. I love the dialogue and the ultimate realization that things can work out if we give it a chance. You will enjoy this play.

LARRY RINKEL so vividly portrays the inner turmoil we can feel as playwrights. Observing rather acting. Acting rather than living. Living to tell the world what it needs to know. “My Life Has Been A Preparation” describes what it can be like as a playwright. So well done!

JACQUELYN FLOYD-PRISKORN never, ever disappoints. Her plays are well-written, witty, and have a point to be made. It would be a shame to give away the twists and turns of this short play. I so want to do so, but you need to read this play. “Polar Opposites” had me smiling and laughing, nodding my head with each ‘so true’ reveal, and looking forward to seeing this play on stage. A truly wonderful play!

STEVEN G. MARTIN has written a superb play of the deep, dark, hidden emotions we may have from a traumatic past event. I was moved by the gripping fear of the person to whom a sheepish man speaks and the inner turmoil of the person speaking. “A Humble Path” is usually seen in a positive light. I am not sure it will ever have the same meaning after reading this powerful short play. Well done!

DC CATHRO’s play, “And Be Gay”, had me wondering what Randy’s plan was. What was in that bag? My mind raced through different possible scenarios - not wanting a good person like Randy being the offender, yet being annoyed at the counter-protestors who were out for no good. The ending was perfect!

PHILIP MIDDLETON WILLIAM’s play, “A Life Enriching Community”, was recently performed in City Theatre National Reading Series #3. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it performed. The play is so rich with the beautiful strong emotional connections we form with our life partner. As we enter the final ‘act’ of our lives, it is so important to find the right place to share the rest of your lives together. Memories, old and new, are kept not only in our mind but are also felt in our heart and somewhere in our soul. This is a must-read, must-see play!

HAYLEY ST. JAMES’s play, “Too Hard A Knot - A Short Play”, is mysterious, fascinating, compelling, and just plain worth reading. Many plays have been written about the Devil, but this short play has an interesting twist. Our want-to-be-actor waitress has two options to realize her goal. Will she make the right choice or will fate help her choose?