Recommended by Joe Swenson

Harold Kummer, World War II veteran. There's an article about him in the Seehafer News. As a veteran myself, I appreciate any time a playwright can bring to life the military experiences. Cole Hunter Dzubak has built a play that centers around comradery, loss, and the bonds that those in the military often feel. I applaud Cole for taking on the challenge and delivering a fantastic play.

There are plays that are designed for a specific audience. This is not one of those plays. This is a must-read, must-see, must-feel, play. The characters that John Patrick Bray and so three Demensional that it feels like you know them. The humor. The humor slayed me at times and then Bray makes you feel guilty for laughing at the dark humor in brilliantly purposed moments. This play has so many amazing theatrical moments. Incredible. This play is designed for every audience. I will never forget reading this play. I was moved.

Tori Rice has created a messed-up masterpiece. Your head starts spinning from the beginning of this play and I can only imagine that seeing it on stage would do the same. From the dedication in the opening to the word play with a doped up Bren and Jay, you are kept in the dark about what is actually happening until it unfolds in front of you. The metaphorical value between the title and the shows premise is very high. The final page of the play is intense, raw, and that final line that Jay delivers leaves you wondering. Brilliant.

C.M. Brophy has built a play that has a lot to unpack. Deep rooted in ritual, poem, monologues, and dialogue, Brophy takes you on a crazy ride that will bend your mind. Sherman's monologue in Act 1, Scene 3 shifts to reality, but it seems that Brophy has put this here merely to tempt the mind with reality, only to twist it back up again. Add in the correlation with playing cards, and your concept of reality will once again be challenged. It's a messed-up, crazy, fantastical ride, that ends with a joke. Incredibly fascinating work. Brophy's mind? Wow!

Robert Weibezahl has provided the world with a play that packs a lot of punch and requires a great deal of unpacking. Two old high school friends coincidentally end up in the same spot at a reunion because of the same benign reason (escape the noise) and it turns into this crazy ride through the present and the past, both characters choosing to slow play the cards that life has dealt them. One of my new favorite lines of any play is "Fear of giving up what is known." The high intensity monologues are outstanding. Brilliant play. Highly recommend.

Dan Taube's Women Like Us is absolutely brilliant. Taube's incredible writing style and plot strategy take you on this winding journey where you are reacting in time with the characters. Taube's purposeful reveals regarding generational nuance and acceptance of the unfortunate cultural differences time affords is arguably perfect. Each character is so meticulously drawn that even their choice to bring their own coffee to a coffee shop is steeped in intention. This piece is absolutely important, and the work that Taube has put into it should be applauded. Highly recommend.

Marcia Eppich-Harris has created a mastery of art with this reality bending play about Fredrich Nietzsche. I can only imagine the amount of research that Eppich-Harris must have invested to come up with this brilliantly crafted, well interpreted play. From the first line, "Some men are born posthumously, as I was. But in that rebirth, I fear that I am greatly misunderstood." the playwright draws you in and not only holds your interest but captivates you. Amazing play. The playwright makes it easy to imagine with the specificity of the stage directions. Brilliant.

Christopher Plumridge has done it again in the Bear chronicles. The broad strokes of confidence the bear has in this reality bending monologue as the Bear at once is powerful and full of vim and vigor, yet to be broken down to the touching ending. Plumridge takes us on this magnificent ride which is only broken by the touch of a human hand. Metaphorical, imaginative, brilliant.

Fantastic! Tom Moran’s Exit Strategy has everything you didn’t know you wanted in relationship break-ups. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out. You’re wrong. Well built, fantastic characters, and in a world where second chances are few and far between… This would be fabulous on stage and I could totally see a Zoom adaptation as well.

What a fantastic look into the lives of Ray and Pim. The dreamer and the grounded. John Mabey has built this wonderful play that sets you up, right off with completely different expectations than what you get. It ends with the perfect button as you see that even after 10 years of marriage people can change for each other. Slightly. Brilliant.