Recommended by Jack Levine

RACHEL LUANN has written a cute play of a couple testing their relationship on their “second date” on Zoom. I found “I’ll Be Zooming You” to be an interesting take on using the current self-quarantine in an unexpected way to find out if a romantic relationship can endure a “long-distance love”.

JACQUELYN FLOYD-PRISKORN’s play, “Whatcha Doin? *A Zoom Play*, mixes a little nostalgia, a bit of humanity, a dollop of fear, a spoonful of hopefulness, a pinch of ambition, a taste of fame, and some shyness. Such an enlightening view of life in the entertainment world as expressed by a former child star turned voice over actor. This is a must-see Zoom play, and one I highly recommend.

JOHN KELLY takes us on a journey of three crew members, who were the first manned landing on an asteroid and are now heading home. Everything has been perfect: landing on the asteroid, carrying out their mission to bring back specimens, and directing their space vehicle back to Earth. But then, something goes terribly wrong. “Astraeus” is a sci-fi tale which is a cautionary warning of what can happen in outer space.

DAVID HILDER has written an intriguing short play in which a young boy and his grandmother ponder about an accident to - and here there can be interpretation. I may be wrong but I think they are being buried. But it doesn’t matter. You will enjoy this play, “Misfortune”, because it is touching, interesting, and well-done.

IAN AUGUST’s Play, “Compelling Spencer”, is an interesting play. The seemingly irresistible power of one person may be too strong to overcome - until you realize that true love has its own persuasive nature and will win out in the end. I found this play to be enjoyable as well as thoughtful.

FRANCIS BOYLE hits the nail on the head, so to speak, in his short play, “Revived Presidential Debate”. The key issues of our day, or any day for that matter, need thoughtful discussion. Voters need information to make intelligent decisions, not sound bites for television, radio, or print media. In times of stress, we often want to hear slogans or quick fixes rather than the ‘meat and potatoes’ of an argument. This spoof is witty, but the main point of bringing substance to Presidential debates is so ‘right-on’.

DANIELLE MOHLMAN takes us into a very interesting “relationship” in her play, “Nexus”. Two people - M and W - personify what a relationship can be - friends, lovers, acquaintances, strangers - and yet, we sometimes want the bond to be stronger and then something can make things seem all wrong. I found this play to be intriguing in the way so many moods were perfectly mixed into a relationship of wants, needs, and sort of in-between. Fascinating and fun.

PHANESIA PHAREL explores the potential reality of a future world in which people are facing an apocalypse. A pregnancy can bring so much joy, hope, and love in a normal situation. But, what if, the world has changed and life is on-the-edge of destruction. Should and could a baby be born? What is there to give to this baby? These are powerful and thought provoking questions in this play, “And Other Dreams We Had”. I highly recommend this play.

JULIE ZAFFARANO has taken the first face-to-face meeting of two men, who have met online, and turns it into a sexy, not-so-sexy, but-then-again-sexy wild and fun romantic comedy. “Hotter Then Thoreau” is witty and sure to please an audience.

JENNIFER O’GRADY’s play is magnificent! The circle of life is so much a part of this moving play. A man tragically loses his wife; his young son loses his mother. Each needs to cope. In this play, “Persephone” - the name of the deceased - finds a way to help from the after-world. I love this play and want to see it performed on stage.