Recommended by Jack Levine

BETHANY DICKEN’s “The White Millennium” is a bittersweet romantic play of a young couple divorcing yet remembering some sweet moments of their past. You hope they will change their minds and stayed married. But the reality of their relationship does not allow this. This play tugs at your heartstrings but is realistic in its conclusion.

VINCE GATTON has incorporated the realities of our current COVID-19 world, added a spoonful of sci-fi, mixed in family tragedy, sprinkled a bit of twists, and spiced it up with witty dialogue. “Protocols” will get your attention from the beginning and keep it to the end. There is much to like in this play, and audiences will enjoy it in a Zoom production or on-stage.

As a father of three daughters, I can totally relate to this beautifully written one minute play. HOLLIE MICHAELS has written a mother-always-knows-best comedy, which confirms how a mother always knows her daughter much better than dear old dad. “10 Going On 40” is relatable, witty, and wonderful.

LAWRENCE ARONOVITCH’s play, “Late”, is a conversation of two friends with a pass relationship. The characters may have thought a simple lunch would provide a chance to catchup. But there are unsolved issues, which get in the way. Sometimes friendships are built on sand - with no strong basis. This is a nice play to be performed at a high school. Adults would enjoy it, too.

DUNCAN PFLASTER is a talented playwright and his play, “O Dreamer”, is a sweet romantic comedy of a gay romance. A strong relationship needs to be built on more than sex. After three years together, we can and should know the ‘little things’ about our partner. Do these two people have just a sexual relationship or is there more? A well-written play with with and substance.

ROSS TEDFORD KENDALL’s Play, “Whirlpool’, is a fascinating play of sexual fantasies, bondage, rape, hero worship, and a police investigation, all of which come together in a story with insight, revelations, and power-plays. I was pulled into the story from the beginning. The ending leaves you wondering what comes next, but it is the perfect ending for this play. Captivating!

JACQUELYN FLOYD-PRISKORN never disappoints. Her plays are gems. ‘Mother’ explores the notion we get to pick who brings us into our world. The play has a great ending, which was totally unexpected.

KERR LOCKHART’s play, “Peter Cratchit, Esq.”, is marvelous and witty. I had the honor of reading for Ebenezer Scrooge, who has been ‘among the spirits’ for forty years. You will remember the main characters from the Dickens play, but you probably will be surprised at what happens four decades later as three new ghosts visit a grownup Peter, Bob Crachit’s eldest son. I thoroughly enjoyed this play and fully expect audiences will, too. BRAVO!

ADAM SEIDEL has written a monologue of an artistic director who has apparently reached his limit, sometimes referred to as a melt down, going off-the-rails, or gone bonkers. “Curtain Speech” is witty and definitely an attention-grabber. It would be a great monologue for an audition when trying to get a role in a comedy. I think it will be a audience favorite in a monologue competition.

MONICA CROSS’s science fiction play, “The Beginning of Everything”, offers a view of the possible circumstances of a future where life on Earth has ended and the ‘seeds of humanity’ are to be put on another world. The question arises as to whether the mission has failed or a better alternative should be considered. This play makes you think of our future with hope, concern, and wonder.