Recommended by Joe Swenson

Jared Reynolds has developed an incredibly crafted, high stakes play. Reynolds ratchets up the tension as the show progresses and deftly keeps the audience guessing about who might be loyal and who isn’t. The art of purposefully leaving holes to fill in later without giving away anything is so tough and Jared accomplishes this well. I highly recommend this show!

I read this in the style of film noir. Even if Rachel Feeny-Williams didn't intend it this way, that's the way I read it and it fit brilliantly. Rachel has a gift for the crime, police stories. She is a gifted writer no matter what, but I find her police/crime stories to be especially gripping. Inspiration is gripping, full of tension and mystery, and it truly is the full package tightly wound in a short script. This show is so twisty that I had to read parts of it a second time. A true testament to the twist genre!

What a great short play by the dialogue master, Philip Middleton Williams! Philip takes you on what appears to be an ordinary(ish) day in the life of the Gateway Cafe. When Ray shows up though the world shifts and we get the "don't judge a book by its cover" treatment. However, the "script is flipped," with Ray's revelation of what he "truly" believes. In the event that you stayed with the dialogue path as intended, then you're treated to the reveal and all is well at the Gateway Cafe but not at the bowling alley, I presume. GREAT SHOW!

Having lived in every corner of this country from small towns to big towns you run into the characters of Riverton, Pennsylvania everywhere. Richter takes us to such place, builds an engaging and entertaining culture that forces the audience to ask themselves, am I stuck? Throw in Adam Richter's incredible dialogue capabilities and rich authentic characters and well, I'm surprised that no one has commissioned Adam to turn this into a full-length play, there are plenty of avenues for extension. Great play, highly recommend.

The nicknames, the liveliness of the narrator and Theo's enthusiasm as he tells the story are entertaining to say least. Also, who wouldn't want a Celtic Warrior Princess defending themselves from the bullies out there like Barney. Fantastic monologue!

Escalation Theory in playwriting is designed to start of slow with a steady heartbeat and then one item or person is added, then another item or person is added and each of these items bring something different until the cacophony of escalation becomes to much for us to perceive. This is what Andela is. The play of course. Andela the character? No idea. It's a lot of fun, great characters, excellent arch, and would be a wonder to direct/act in. I was left wanting the show to go on. Brilliant work Jacquelyn!

Christopher Plumridge has outdone himself in this short play. He's taken exotic coffee, inuendoes, a first date of sorts, a cat, some yelling, some more coffee, the desires adults often have and he's thrown them all together into a this smorgasbord of humor. Chris also toes the line, careful not to completely cross in the carefully built relationship of Cathy and Ian. It's hilarious and brilliant. Highly recommend!

Had the privilege of seeing Greg Lam’s show at Portland Stage Company. The set was incredible, the acting equally amazing. This play has such an awareness to it. Evoking emotions and conveying ideals that are transformative and unexpected while also being nostalgic and bringing about an awakening. Lam also paints a futuristic society that seems to be as flawed as our current society but in different and unexpected ways. For me the genius in the play wasn’t the overt race reversal it was the subtle ripple effects of societal norms slightly adjusted. Brilliant play!

The best. Daniel Prillaman encapsulates a brilliant piece of art regarding the use of shrooms. Is Tripp-sitting a real thing, because if it's not... What's really great is Daniel's ability to weave in real life relatable items, like stress from work, underage drinking, with fantastic timing, misdirect, and humor. It's fun play, now off to read the rest of the series.

When I grow up, I want to be able to write like Scott Sickles does. I got about 75% through the play and I started thinking about the title and how it was metaphorical towards a simpler time, where everyone had to fit into these compartmentalized boxes to make things cost less, like love for example. In true Sickles fashion, he adds another layer and another element to the title with the $5 bill. More than anything, it's the reveal, the way Scott cloaks something in one shade while he reveals the genuine parts in another shade. Amazing play!