Recommended by Joe Swenson

Christopher Plumridge strikes again with The Bear monologues. Once again a hoot. No real concept of time, Plumridge takes us to 1982 where The Bear is both hero and villain, scary and saintly, and in turn a codger (in ideal) and a knight. There are trademark aspects of these monologues woven in, the visual interpretation creates a wonderful set, but Christopher's best work is how he immerses the reader/audience into experiencing nearly all of your senses tickled throughout this monologue. Menacing yet altruistic, the vampire bear strikes again, this time out of heroic sentiment. Well done! Well done indeed!

First of all, amazingly imaginative premise. If you’re looking for rich characters, limitless imagination, and a well structured plot, then I highly recommend this show. I had so much fun imagining Dyson and Ethel as many different fictional characters and Samantha Marchand does a wonderful job of allowing this through each of the”things.” Would love to see this on its feet. Great show.

The ambiance of the hotel alone is enough to set the mood in Caitlin Strom-Martin's play that is as much about relationship as it is about ghost stories. Ruth and Amy are drawn out very convincingly as representation from two different eras. Ruth with her need to for normalcy and Amy with her traumatic childhood. If you're looking for a good ghost story with strong thematic architecture, then this is a great play to read. I would love to see this show staged or filmed!

The escalation throughout the script was fantastic. Jacquelyn does a great job creating an excellent relationship that maintains its excellence and authenticity as it evolves right up to the end. Living a small house with one bathroom would drive any newlywed couple mad and Jacquelyn keeps the madness at arms length, though you get the feeling that there could be more. Great show. Can't wait for the sequel where they come out of their secret lairs, both unshaven, both starved for affection... Well it's not my show, it's Jacquelyn's and I highly recommend!

"I inspire hysteria" - I was hooked before this line, but this line captured the essence of the play completely. Charles Scott Jones through his words inspires an ever-increasing amount of hysteria. Just when you think the play is about to take a turn, it doesn't, it takes a leap and you leap right along with it, because you have to know. Suddenly you have to know. When you find out, you are not disappointed, a little surprised but not disappointed in the least. Great work Charles.

The intertwining plot lines, the myriad of possibilities in this show. The Truman Show meets Ed TV meets inclusion and confusion on a stage. Andrew sucks you in with the benign toxicity of privileged teen curiosity and then takes you on a wild ride where you have little doubt about where you and who you're riding with, but understand that at any moment reality will morph into something different. What a fun piece with a very serious message about inclusivity and prejudice. Brilliant Andrew absolutely brilliant.

The characters are awesome. The plot speeds along and escalates. Full of laughs and a lot of uncomfortable moments, this show is a riot. It belongs in festivals today. Great work by emerging playwright Gwyneth Fraser!

What a beautiful monologue. In two minutes, you learn about Nereida, Stuart, and Arturo. You learn through the lens of the eloquently spoken Nereida and you are not left wanting. You see in an instant her motivations, her standards of living, and the impact she wishes to have on the community around her. Adam Richter is a masterful storyteller, an artist who utilizes unique brush strokes to let you into his mind and doesn't let you go until you've reached the end, with a smile. Highly recommend.

Christopher Plumridge strikes again. Who doesn't love Zombies? Once you've read/seen this show, you'll want more, instantly. If anything, Plumridge takes us to the edge of the abyss, but rather than pushing us in, he dances along the edge of the abyss, makes some well-timed jokes, and then when we're not looking, pushes us in. Excellent show, would be very fun to watch live!

This play is as real today as it would've been in 1947. Controlling the person you "love" wanting to be in control of the person you "love." Throughout this liberating conversation is the father that thinks like the boyfriend and the flashing of the lights to demonstrate control. Marj O'Neill-Butler has created a short play that hangs with you, permeates your thought processes, and causes you to re-examine where you want control in your life over another human. It's a great conversation between two young adults and I highly recommend.