Recommended by Maximillian Gill

From the beginning, we know where the story will end up, yet the progress of racism and suspicion is still gripping, culminating in an ending that is chilling on multiple levels. The addition of magical figures adds texture to the characters and their interactions and brings in humor that deepens the tragedy. The gathering clouds are represented by a wonderful, uniquely theatrical device. An incredible work.

Grief's biggest demands are made on those who least recognize that they need it. Grief can lurk, take its time, but when it arrives it cannot be ignored. I came away from this play with insights and thoughts on the grieving process that I never considered before, a testament to Deray's intuitive grasp on the subject. Intertwined with a story of loss is the tale of a young person understanding who he is and growing strong with that knowledge. And somehow Deray pulls all of it off with a healthy dose of humor. An accomplished work.

Astonishing on many levels. First, it has something like twenty characters in the space of thirty minutes or so, yet each one is incredibly distinct, with a specific personality and manner of dealing with the world. Before long, you have no trouble distinguishing them. Second, out of a comedy about the hilarious ways that teenagers handle and fail to handle the largely overblown traumas of their lives emerges an incredibly affecting story of kids coming together, understanding the depth of their own feelings, and forging hope out of shame and failure. Especially resonant for our pandemic-dominated time.

Some of my favorite plays have taken place entirely in Irish pubs, and now I'm adding this one to the list. The character of Dev is truly an inspired creation, as full of verve and humor as he is of a barkeep's wisdom and Joyce quotations. The play encompasses so much, from the cultural differences between Irish and Irish-Americans to nuances of church doctrine that are never less than fascinating under the writer's assured hand for dialogue. A beautiful story of faith, in oneself and in others as well as in something greater than us all. Wonderful work!

Like the most powerful dystopian stories, this one is frighteningly plausible, a vision of the future where the class divide is pushed to extremes that do not seem at all far-fetched from today's perspective. Jagernauth's play is also startlingly original in its treatment of the subject. The world-building is impressive, with off-hand comments suggesting various facets of this future. The interactive elements effectively draw the audience in and are not used for simple effect. All of it is bound together with realistic characters to make for a compelling work.

A wonderful play about being true to your family and your heritage and all of the complexities that result when you try to do just that. As always, Goldstein's feel for the nuances of character is on full display. We immediately have a clear idea of who everyone is and how they fit into the family scheme. Moments of irreverent wit mix easily with poignant evocations of loss and political questions that have no easy answers. The dialogue is assured and powerful throughout. I am so pleased that Goldstein has put more of her work on NPX!

I don't think I've ever read America's deeply rooted racial animus laid bare so thoroughly and with such grim wit. Rose's work is unflinching and scathing in its examination of race relations both past and present. As a fan of dystopian tales, I am impressed at how an entire world is hinted at through the play's focus on a horrifying pageant that passes for entertainment in this future. The dialogue, songs, and references are constantly inventive and hit multiple satiric targets. A daring, incredible, and important work.

I am rapidly realizing that Williams is one of those rare writers who can do anything. Here, Williams encompasses a story about two twins who are so alike and so different with perspectives on the Vietnam War with both broadly political and deeply personal dimensions, and he manages to tie it all together using rag time as an elegant metaphor. The monologues with their reflections on the brutality of war and the ways it shatters the human psyche are incredibly expressive and manage fresh takes on a subject that so many have taken on. Devastating and poignant, a formidable work.

A glorious melding of the fantastic and the real. The real world story is poignant, intense and heart-breaking at times. The fable is funny, imaginatively realized, and goes places I never expected. The two stories enrich each other and comment on each other in startling ways. When they converge, a special type of magic happens. Original and compelling work.

The first thing that struck me about this play was the detailed and realistic approach to the subject matter. Whether the writer has direct experience, has done good research, or just has an effective imagination, I was impressed by how authentic the "esspy" world seemed. More importantly, this play is deeply humane in its approach to this poignant story of three characters whose lives intertwine in professional and unexpectedly personal ways. Shenoy gets so much out of small gestures, offhand but deeply meaningful comments, and minor actions with profound consequences. A wonderful, subtle work.