Recommended by Morey Norkin

Christopher Soucy has crafted an elegant theatrical work steeped in American history and literature. What an event to be privy to: A social gathering that includes Mark Twain, Helen Keller, Anne Sullivan, and William Dean Howells. Narrated by Twain’s daughter, Clara Clemens, this piece could work wonderfully as readers theater, staged reading, or full production. I would love to see it in any or all of these incarnations.

Marcia Eppich-Harris packs quite a lot of wit and drama into two minutes! I can imagine couples in an audience stealing glances at one another and wondering, “Is that what he/she was thinking?” The couple in this play has only just begun and that’s so sad. Well done!

From the mind of John Busser…and if you’ve read any of John’s plays, that’s all you need to know! A slasher parody for the ages (17 and up?), this play may not make the final cut at a conservative theater festival, but you can be sure the judges are secretly downloading it and having a great time. Warning: do not attempt to put your face in a blender!

A penguin AND a panda! That was enough to get me to select this play. But it’s Daniel Prillaman’s funny dialogue between Terrence, the lost and somewhat confused penguin, and Ling-Ling (Candace), a panda who could really use some company that hooked me. What a hoot! The carefully delineated characters and clever wordplay make this a sheer delight! The image this play creates will keep me smiling for hours.

This is a real stunner! Think of the traditional good vs evil story where the hero is held captive by the villain only reverse the situation… maybe. Deb Cole ratchets up the tension and leaves us to figure what happens next. A great vehicle for two actors interested in exploring their darker side.

First of all, do not be in the process of consuming any beverage while reading this. You could find yourself doing a spit-take on the very first page! After that, the humor is more subtle and the dialogue intriguing as one might expect from professional diplomats. And when you’re a diplomat, everything becomes a negotiation, especially the most personal of relationships. George Sapio presents three strong characters, each capable of holding his/her own. Much more than we might expect from President Twinkie. An enjoyable read and one I would love to see staged!

Christopher Soucy cleverly captures our obsession with our mobile devices and social media to the detriment of actual communication. And I say that fully aware of the irony that I am writing this on my iPhone while ignoring all around me. And that’s why this short play works so well. Everyone can relate to the two characters. The ending is perfect. I imagine a lot of laughter and head nodding in recognition from any audience lucky enough to see this.

Too much work makes Jack, or in this case, Matthew, a dull fellow. But once he drifts off into dreamland, about a century and an ocean away, he meets bubbly birthday girl, Ginny. Their sweet, platonic relationship will have you smiling throughout this delightful play. The ending is especially satisfying as Matthew learns there is such a thing as work-life balance. Thank you, Rachel Feeny-Williams, for this sweet dream.

So relatable in such a charming way! If you’ve ever felt a casting director couldn’t see how perfect you were for the role or a playwriting contest didn’t see your brilliance jump from the page, then you can understand Julie’s shock at not being asked back to the cheer squad. The interaction between her, her best friend, and her husband is a complete delight. Of course they have Paul Donnelly’s clever writing to thank for that. A great play for mature actors and a sure bet at any festival.

Sometimes we go along to get along. And for working women that seems to be the expectation of male bosses. Sadly but triumphantly, Nancy Goldstein decides to put her principles first. Sadly, because she deserves better. Triumphantly because the firm no longer deserves her. Paul Donnelly’s script crackles with sharp dialogue. A great vehicle for two strong actors.