Recommended by Morey Norkin

Paul Donnelly has a knack for tugging at our heartstrings, and AMBIENT LIGHT is no exception. Two older men, former lovers, have a chance meeting and their at times awkward conversation reveals the lingering issues that led to their separation as well as a continuing longing. Plans to meet again could rekindle hope or more challenges. A complex and moving work.

For all its gruesomeness, this play is at heart a tender holiday story. As two veteran investigators with a personal history theorize over a crime scene, their easy banter about turkey stuffing provides an unexpected but welcome counterpoint to the grisly scene. A unique, touching, bittersweet tale for those of us who like a little gore added to the holiday mix.

Boone, John Busser’s down home teller of tall tales, returns with more outlandish hilarity. Boone is a franchise or a touring one-man show waiting to happen. And that’s no joke. Keep’em coming, John!

This feller Boone has seen it all and then some! The imagery, the jokes, you just want him to continue to regale you with his outlandish stories simply because they are told so well. John Busser is onto something special here.

What a wonderful commemoration of a truly historic moment. There are few moments in history that unite people in shared joy. Sadly, they typically follow some horrific events. Chris Plumridge gives us a delightful heartfelt behind the scenes look at the royal family and Winston Churchill as they raise a glass (or four) to celebrate VE Day. The BBC should seriously consider producing this!

I feel seen! Doughnuts and Wordle play an outsized role in my life, and when pastry fillings are involved, disaster ensues. This is so funny and so real. I absolutely have to see this performed. Doughnut in hand of course.

Wow! What a powerful monologue that shines a bright spotlight on the juggling act that society expects from women. Rather than the following the mantra of being able to have it all, only to find it can be too much, this woman bravely embraces the notion of Do It Yourself. I can imagine women in an audience cheering her on. Great work!

If I could talk to the animals… who wouldn’t want to? And who doesn’t like a play with talking animals, especially when they’re as engaging as Rocky and Bullwinkle, cat and dog, respectively? Their owner may be dreaming or she may have picked up some magical power, but either way we’re lucky to listen in on the delightful conversation. And, as any cat owner would expect, Rocky has the last laugh.

A cross country train ride sparks perhaps a bit of romance and a love of the earth from two very different perspectives. When Nora Louise Syran is doing the writing, you can be sure of an intelligent, thoughtful presentation. What we learn from her two strangers on a train is that science and faith can coexist. And both can be questioned (within reason). A charming story that will hopefully inspire similar conversations among audience members.

The summer of 1969 at once united the nation over the triumph of the first moon landing and divided it over the continuing escalation of the war in Vietnam. And so it is with this nostalgic treasure from Philip Middleton Williams in which these events serve to bring out conflict and secrets among a close-knit group of privileged youth. Williams does an outstanding job of capturing an era with a sprinkling of clever cultural references as well as providing a strong anti-war message. Absolutely stage ready.