Recommended by Morey Norkin

Thank you Nora Louise Syran for opening my eyes to the world of the Impressionists, 19th century Paris, and the life of Suzanne Valadon. Wonderful storytelling, beautiful music, and vibrant imagery all come together in a completely engaging theatrical experience. I would absolutely love to see this on stage!

What a lovely play to read just before Thanksgiving, or any time of year for that matter. Don Baker shows us that family ties, which can become frayed, are still worth trying to mend. Sometimes it just takes a mediator. And cinnamon rolls. Be sure to make this play part of your holiday reading feast!

I’ve read these exact contest rules. If Timothy Krause submitted this play, I declare him the winner!

What a relief! Cats are natural climbers and and jumpers and frequent fallers. They are also survivors. People naturally gravitate to one another for support and survival. This play does a remarkable job of weaving those concepts together into a smart, hopeful, whole. Audiences will love this!

If this doesn’t get you in the holiday mood, I don’t know what will. I had an inkling of where the story was going, but Rachel Feeny-Williams still managed to come up with a surprise or two. What isn’t surprising is how well told and moving this lovely short play is. This is pure RFW, meaning it’s the perfect gift for the season! Cheers!

One of my favorite movies, but certainly one ripe for parody. Bruce Karp does a skillful job of not only providing the comedy of George not having such a positive impact, he also manages to infuse this piece with all the heart that makes the original a classic. Atta boy, Clarence!

A delightful, charming, and funny piece guaranteed to lift your holiday spirits! Filled with physical comedy and good old-fashioned family fun, WHAT A DOLL even has an important lesson: read the instructions! Holiday programs need to make space for this little gem.

As a Plumridge scholar, I was pleasantly surprised to unearth this early gem from the master of self-aware hilarity. I have always suspected that his characters did all the heavy lifting and he merely jotted down what they said. This play is the proof I’ve been searching for! What a lucky playwright to have found such lively, comic characters! No wonder he makes it look so easy.

Set in 1950s New Mexico, religious orthodoxy, close encounters, a mysterious stranger, and a poor dog combine to make an unsettling tale. Ashley Davis is a young writer with a keen ear for dialect and natural dialogue. Looking forward to more of her work becoming available.

Cynthia is not about to let anyone take advantage of her. Not her ex. Not her brother. Not the family attorney. Coming back to her small hometown is not exactly pleasant, but fortified with a strong cup of coffee and a large bank account, she’s ready to take care of business. Many intriguing back stories for several characters give this short piece a good deal of depth. The opportunity to expand this story is certainly there. I would love to see more from these characters, but what we have now is well worth reading/producing.