Recommended by Morey Norkin

As with much of Hannah Lee DeFrates’ work, this one has you immediately questioning whether this is the real world, a dream, and what’s really going on with these characters. All that creates a sense of tension and uncertainty that never lets up even as the truth is slowly revealed. DeFrates creates such stunning imagery, this play, and others of hers, really need to be staged.

I’m a little late to the “Pat the Exterminator” series, but after reading this one, I’ll be playing catchup. Pat, the folksy exterminator encounters a vampire. That’s really all you need to know. Great roles for two lucky actors.

This one is Texas, but it could just as easily be Alabama or any number of states turning the clock back on women’s reproductive rights. It’s maddening. And that’s the point. If nothing else, this play serves as a stark reminder that elections have consequences. I’m angry, so good job, Deb!

Father-son conversations are certainly among the most awkward. So often they never get beyond the superficial. Here, the son isn’t willing to settle for that. With the clever help of a cafe menu, a genuine conversation might just happen. Cam Eickmeyer manages to convey so much feeling in such a unique way, you’ll be pulling for both dad and son. You can’t go wrong with this menu.

I should have known that with a Rachel Feeny-Williams police drama all is not as it seems. But when I thought the story would zig, RFW made it zag in the most unexpected and thrilling way. This could probably be expanded to string us along even further, but it’s completely effective in this short format. Put on your detective hat and enjoy!

John Patrick Bray manages to combine humor, sweetness, and heartache into a truly compelling story of childhood imagination masking a painful reality. The dialogue at once takes you back to your own childhood while caring deeply for these two youngsters. Hope this finds its way to the stage soon.

There’s a lot working against Jerry and Alicia after their hasty wedding. And it’s all revealed in hilarious fashion. But as Jack Levine shares through these two, love and marriage are works in progress for the long haul. This one will provide plenty of laughs and leave you with a smile.

I can’t believe I’m just discovering this brilliant two-hander. Paul Smith writes with such fine wit and charm, and this piece is a perfect example. The conversation evolves so naturally and innocently that it draws you in and sets you up for the payoff. Well done!

In this expansion of “Live, Laugh, Lobotomize,” Jacquie Floyd-Priskorn maintains the warmth and humor of the original while adding a most welcome character and adding even more depth to the protagonist and the overall story. And who knew that Flurk was the philosopher the world needs now? “A Shop in the Darkness” provides the kind of light we could all use more of.

A thoroughly entertaining look at human-robotic companionship. It’s far from perfect, but so is human-human companionship. Monica Cross gives us an engaging character in Jenna, a college freshman dealing with typical freshman struggles with relationships and classes. For its part, the robot actually seems to be making an effort to help, which leaves us feeling hopeful. I would love to see this staged, especially with a real robot.