Recommended by Jack Levine

CHRISTINE FOSTER hits the nail-on-the-head in her one-minute play on the best way to bring couples back to a better place when they are having some difficulties. “Do Not Bend” is a charming and witty.

MICHAEL SWISKAY’s play, “The Meaning”, is a powerful story of the bad influences that can come from success, money, drugs, alcohol, and an undue feeling of empowerment at a young age. The play is rich with warnings of the careless indulgence of wealth, and the carefree - no harm can possibly come - from an egocentric attitude. This play is a winner!

MIKE SOLOMONSON’s play has a witty take on the problem with names that can be misinterpreted when spoken to a person you just met. “Boy Meets Hyphen” is a cute play and will make you smile and laugh.

PETER DAKUTIS’s monologue, “The Sweetest Sounds”, is endearing as we see the emotional connection two middle age men find from the simple act of eating ice cream together. We can connect through so many different ways. It’s so nice when it happens most unexpectedly.

KAREN FIX CURRY has written a play about the Covid-19 lockdown, and the impact it can have on relationships as a young couple is forced to be together 24/7 in lockdown. “Covid Cookies” is a sweet short play. Even under the best of circumstances, tensions can run higher, and this might make a run to a bakery is good option, if it were available. A fun play to read.

RACHAEL CARNES has written a wonderful holiday spoof. Her play, “Cornucopia”, has all the ingredients of the ‘fun’ of having parents and in-laws, a couple loving each other but recognizing the ‘gives-and-takes’ of a marriage, and seeing all go wrong while being so right. Confusing? No! You may recognize similarities to your marriage and family, or not. This is a fun play!

MARJ O’NEILL-BUTLER’s monologue reminded me of the feeling I felt when I put on my costume (police officer) in my first play. In “A Room With A Bit Of Magic’, the costume gives the young actress a feeling of joy, accomplishment, and beauty. She is transformed in a way that is magical. Any actor will relate to this, and an audience will enjoy hearing what happens in this magical moment.

EMMA WOOD encapsulates the powerful desire of young adults to be on their own, while they are still not quite independent of the need for their parents. This is a delightful play with endearing and witty dialogue. “Women of the World” is a wonderful short play, which audiences will love.

CHARLIE STOWE has written a very funny short piece about Odyssess trying to keep his men quiet in the Trojan Horse. The witty dialogue would be fun to play as an actor or watch as an audience member. “ILLIAD IDIOTS” had me laughing out loud.

DAN TAUBE’s one-minute play, “Reckoning”, is a good basis for a longer play about the emotions of family members, who have lost a loved one and there are important unspoken conversations which need to be dealt with.