Recommended by David Lipschutz

11/28/2024. AFIKOMAN is a beautiful and heartfelt play about a Jewish family at Passover. Playwright Sam Heyman has written with care and understanding about the holiday and has brought to life smart, honest characters. The ending is sweet and makes you feel all the feels. Oh, and a Manischewitz hangover sounds like literally the worst thing ever!

JOYLAND is a smart and delightfully witty play by Karen Saari that deftly deals with AI, animatronics, and corporate culture. I had the pleasure of seeing this performed with Ludington Area Center for the Arts.

FIVE MILES LONG, TWO HUNDRED FEET HIGH is a beautiful two-hander by Maripat Allen. Audience members and readers alike should experience the journey these characters take across the Mackinaw Bridge. I love how rich and respectful the play is to Michigan as we follow two people - one from the lower peninsula and one from the U.P.

BEAR BAITING is an emotionally powerful play by Anna Tatelman. It follows two complex characters in longtime friends Dylan and Steve. I was lucky to see a workshop production at the Mid-America Theatre Conference.

FREE TREADMILL is flipping hilarious! It's short, chaotic, and very funny. I want to ask how Christopher Soucy came up with this wild premise, but honestly, audiences/readers can relate to both Murray and Shelly and their current situation.

Wow, Dana Hall's prose is immensely powerful and moving (as it always is). UNWRAPPED is an incredible play about grief and battling addiction (as well as struggling seeing a loved one battle addiction), all set with what is normally a happy and joyous backdrop of the holidays. This is a must-read and must-see play.

Ah! I did not see that twist coming! SPLITTING THE CHECK is a fast-paced, very funny play by Paul Donnelly.

Obsessed. I am obsessed with Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend. COME AGAIN is so smart and funny and abrasive and I love everything about it. I can't imagine anyone having an opinion about climate change and a possible second coming of Jesus, right?! This play has a strong message and would be an absolute conversation starter with any theatre that produces it. So, please produce it, and let me know when you do!

TALES FROM THE HILL is a beautiful journey of several college students who interconnect in unexpected ways. The dialogue feels natural and real as we get a glimpse into these characters' lives and see how they grow and change. The plays work well individually or as a play cycle (it is actually more enhanced if read/performed as a play cycle). Great work to playwright Sam Heyman!

Holy sh*t!! UNKNOWN NUMBER is how you do horror. I'm not going to lie, I yelled at my Spotify for her to not open the door! The writing by Greg Mandryk is peak in this one. Absolutely give it a listen on Gather By The Ghost Light (kudos to Chris Plumridge as well).