Recommended by Joe Swenson

Philip's 6th show in the series bends the concept of reality and in doing so once again shows that Dan and Clyde aren't done conversing yet. The beautiful discoveries, memories, and story knows no bounds. Yet throughout this very real feeling show, Philip has cleverly put in a moment of dread that hangs throughout (the bottle). While the dialogue continues forward, as an audience member.

The poetic ending leaves comfortable in knowing the full intention of the Dan's spiritual moment with his father.

The 5th installment in a series and Philip address the inevitable from the previous show and more. With Clyde in hospice, Philip's attention turns to the brothers, Steve and Dan. The relationship, hierarchy, and expectations bring the brother's dialogue to points of tension surrounded by grief and their own expectations of each other, while each deals with their own trials and grief in other aspects of their relationship.

Philip even throws in moments of discovery for the two brothers, even in their 60s, as if to say to the audience or those with siblings, relationship growth never stops!

The call back at the end of this short play got me all emotional. In this short play Philip takes on the incredibly tough task of the situation that Clyde finds himself in. Dan, though is there, he's there to see it all the way through, to be the beacon, and once again Philip delivers authentic dialogue around a difficult situation.

Throughout this short play, I was in awe of the gentleness that Philip gives to Dan in his relationship with Clyde. Absolutely beautiful, well written, and impactful!

Once again Philip has captured your imagination with the 3rd story in this installment and once again he delivers poignant dialogue that hits you in the mouth. The tension in this beautiful play is palpable as Dan and Clyde try to unwrap their relationship. A father who loves his son, knows there's some responsibility to take, unwilling to completely take it. A son who loves his dad, knows his father should shoulder some of the blame for his situation, unwilling to completely place it.

If you don't know this by now. Philip Middleton Wiliams is a dialogue genius!

It's in what isn't said that you realize who this story is really about. Philip does a wonderful job creating the ultimate bonding, or what should be the ultimate bonding experience for both of Clyde's boys. Clever, impressive strategic purpose driven dialogue, coupled with amazing visual representations. You get it all and more in this short story.

As show number two chronologically in the series, it all makes sense. 1+1+1 = more than you thought it would mean and Philip doesn't disappoint.

From the nostalgia feel to the immersive dialogue, Philip expertly paints the differences in relationship these boys have with each other and with their father. It's such a beautiful that I had to read it twice. As the starting line for the series, Philip gives us so much, but without telling us. Throughout the series I kept coming back to this first show and saying, "yeah, that makes sense." A testament to the expertly delivered dialogue, the fully developed, well layered characters, and strategic plot development. Amazing!

As a whole, walking through the life (and beyond) of a relationship between father and son, Philip Middleton Williams has expertly told the story of love, loss, relationships, and finally grief. With incredibly poignant dialogue, the playwright establishes in A House by the Side of the Road that the dialogue at times will be raw, poetic, and won't pull any punches.

Meanwhile as you read from story to story unpacking the revelations and catching up on where Dan is in his life, there's this incredibly beautiful arc that's displayed from learning to hit a fastball to grief. Must See Theater!

I just heard the recorded version and it is absolutely fantastic. Chris Plumridge is a master at the slow build, surprise turns and reveals. His story telling is brought to life in a magical way. The piece is haunting, it’s metaphorical, it’s beautiful!

What a powerful one-character short play! There is a lot to unwrap as it goes along and Rachael Carnes delivers a hard-hitting inspirational play as it unwraps. Then this exceptional playwright hits you square in the mouth with " We hate the sum of our parts." This line is a universally flawed self-identification device, and the timing of the line is powerful and provocative. This is a must read/must see experience!

The tears. This absolutely incredible story has so many layers to it that at times you forget where it began and where it ends. The symmetry between Anzor and Teddy's relationship with the magic of Marianas Trench through the incredible eyes of redacted letters, is so brilliant. The line, "If I humiliate you so badly you can’t show your face there anymore, maybe you’ll stop sending my face there" made me cry for Teddy. This story is breathtaking. "you take a big, deep breath. I’ll do it with you..." I loved every purposeful second of this show!