Recommended by Aly Kantor

In this play about a future in which humanity is on the menu, an absurd premise meets humor so cleverly corny you'll groan out loud. It's filled with surprisingly prescient and sharp observations about the world we currently inhabit. This play poses a moral dilemma that will have you switching sides page by page. Our protagonist, Mike, is certainly a shill - and you'll probably relate to him, and you'll probably be mad about it. Too ridiculous for words and too plausible for comfort, this brilliant blend of comedy and sci-fi is DELICIOUS!

This is a specific but broadly relatable story about a woman forced to return home and face the world she left behind - but, as she puts it in her final monologue, mildew has a way of getting into memories, and things aren't how she left them. The characters and situations were well-drawn and relatable, and I loved the use of light throughout the piece, which almost functioned as a character. There is such a strong sense that what we see on stage is only a glimpse of this community, which feels so rich and well-lived in.

While these quirky, flawed characters may initially be hard to love, I'll be damned if I didn't care about them all by the end of the play! This play has eerie ambiance, a clever expository device, and multiple driving mysteries, ranging from the scientific to the supernatural, which kept me engaged and questioning throughout... and I LOVE that there are enough little clues and hints that I was rewarded for paying attention! I love the gorgeous message that grief is what love looks like divorced from time. I laughed (really), I cried (really), I gasped (really). A truly rewarding read!

Oh, has there ever been a cuter, more clever, or more delightful unapologetically queer meet cute? What struck me the most about this play is how kind it feels. After all, how many stories have you read about the mother of a trans woman who is enthusiastically supportive... to a fault? The theatrical choices, such as the doubling and the choice to double down on the delicious campiness, are incredibly effective. Plus, there are themes in this play that many, many women can relate to. Moms, am I right? Fantastic!

Oh, I would KILL to work on the movement dramaturgy for this piece! As a former educator who worked with both ELLs and selectively mute students, this gorgeous, compassionate, and highly theatrical play for youth ticks all my personal boxes. All you need to produce this one is some willing bodies and a room and I'm confident magic will happen. This is such a sweet, moving, and surprisingly complex story that doesn't condescend to young audiences. I think it will mean so much for kids like these characters to see themselves reflected on stage!

Wow, in just seven scant pages, I have come to care about these characters SO much! Because I was rooting for them, the stakes felt higher, and by the last page, my anxiety was through the roof! In addition to being effective, the play was also so well-drawn and specific, with tiny details making the character's world feel so lived in and real. I loved the love bird story, which was such a clever and apt metaphor for the characters' struggle. This is super tight, effective, and affecting writing that a lot of audiences will be able to relate to!

This is a fascinating, non-linear two-hander ripe with really interesting opportunities for design work and theatricality! I loved the interstitial Western tale and could almost hear and see the shifts in the stage picture during those moments! The dialogue is naturalistic, period-appropriate, and hits the ear beautifully. Though this is a two-hander, we get to know the supporting players in these characters' lives so well through the dialogue, making the world of the play feel much larger and more dynamic. I really enjoyed getting to know these two men and hearing this stories!

What starts out as a clever premise quickly transforms into something heartfelt and utterly unexpected! The world-building here is thorough and complex, and the world of the play feels incredibly lived-in, which is impressive for such a short play! Plus, this piece features fantastic character roles for two performers with comedy chops, and it would be a dream for any costumer seeking a challenge! Ultimately, this play is consistently funny, with plenty of clever in-jokes for fans of cryptids and their ilk. Good fun with an emotional punch!

Just like at a three-ring circus, there's something for everybody in this family-friendly romp: sharp humor for all ages, goofy sight gags and physical comedy, and a heartwarming moral about individuality. I particularly loved Maria Rasputin, the lion tamer - the perfect role for a strong character actor! Plus, the script is ripe with opportunities for virtuosic cast members to show off their obscure talents, from dance to acrobatics to playing the clarinet! It's loaded with camp, including a duo of fabulous stock villains. The clever dose of audience participation will keep kids engaged from beginning to end!

Rarely is a contemporary tragedy so well-structured that you experience that visceral, rock-in-the-gut, audible "OH NO" moment that contextualizes the entire play and brings the themes into relief in sudden, stark detail. With that said, everything leading up to that disarming moment is an atmospheric treat, full of subtle apocalyptic worldbuilding that comes through bit by bit. Ultimately, this is a story about how very dangerous ignorance can be and why growth and development are so crucial to the business of humanity. Gorgeous characters, incredible stage pictures, and thought-provoking moments that will make you grateful for all you have.