Recommended by Morey Norkin

Like Sondheim’s Ladies Who Lunch, Edith in Does it Bring You Joy? Is not a happy person. She’s jealous of her presumably younger and fitter neighbor, her husband annoys her, and anything foreign seems like too much of a bother. Even the KondoMari Method can’t bring Edith joy. But in this short monologue, Nora Louise Syran manages to make Edith a sympathetic character. There is humor to be found, but it merely highlights the sad state of Edith’s life. A great challenge for an actor!

Beauty and the Beast may be a tale as old as time, but Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend’s Beast is a comic romp for our time! Adam, the former Beast, isn’t having it when the Old Beggar Woman who transformed him returns to cast her spell again. She claims Adam hasn’t learned the lesson that beauty resides within, but she is about as convincing as a land shark (SNL reference) and twice as funny. Great roles, especially if one actor plays the three males.

What a chilling tale! Chilling because it is based on true events from the 1920s that sadly sound too familiar in the 2020s. A KKK leader who gains political and financial power by stirring up the most despicable prejudices of his “base.” And when finally charged with rape and murder, his defense is to attack the character of the victim. Baker has written an important play. I hope someday we all learn its lessons.

What a wonderful imagination Sam Heyman has to create such a sweet play. He beautifully captures the insecurity so common during high school years as Mo, with the aid of an understanding school counselor, accepts the decision of her imaginary friend. Clever and heartwarming, a guaranteed festival favorite.

I will never look at geese again in quite the same way. An interesting tale, kind of like Animal Farm in miniature. Debra Cole clearly has a gift for making an impact in a minute or less.

A tragic situation, a child’s innocent curiosity, a beautiful play.

A teacher shares her concern about one of her students, letting the young man know he has someone looking out for him. Every student should be so lucky. Well done!

As Debra Cole says in her synopsis, some thoughts should just remain thoughts. A thoughtless remark handled with grace by the target. Good on ya!

Intense because it’s so real! Here in Japan with a large senior population, this scenario is all too common. Debra Cole provides the perfect balance between the bewilderment of the senior driver and the compassion of the pharmacy employee.

Funny, shocking, with an undercurrent of tenderness that is masked by the long-standing rivalry of these two strong female characters. Joyce Newman Scott’s take on the acting biz and the lack of opportunities for women over a certain age rings true as does the competitiveness of actors who constantly find themselves at the same auditions. This play presents a welcome opportunity for two female actors and I imagine even the auditions would be worth attending.