Recommended by Morey Norkin

Sam Heyman has crafted a deeply moving tale of friendship between two young men who must face certain truths about their feelings during a period of separation after high school graduation. While Lee goes off to college and Shawn joins the army, both meet someone they can confide in who helps them examine their relationship. Heyman presents richly drawn characters that we can’t help but root for, even knowing there are limits to what their friendship can become. There are certainly no limits to what this play can become. Perhaps a main stage production?

Sometimes couples are meant to be together even over several lifetimes. In Jonna/Jack, Arianna Rose allows a couple to explore their past lives when they enter the afterlife. In this realm, they discover more about themselves and what they truly want than they were able to during their most recent life. We can’t help but hope that whatever is next for these two will not be short lived. A lovely story with multiple casting/staging options. I have no doubt it will find its way to the stage soon and often.

I was laughing just reading the title, but then I also felt bad for Kimberly as she has had to endure the same tired jokes for decades. Kimchi is an acquired taste. I prefer it combined with other ingredients rather than as a standalone dish. But with Christopher Soucy in charge, this tasty morsel needs no extra flavoring. Perfect!

Not since Cheers has there been a more interesting bar filled with enjoyable characters. Given the unique circumstances that bring them together, I can’t help but want to know what new characters could arrive in the future and how long before the characters Brent Alles has shared with us move on to new adventures. A great premise, wonderful characters, and a lot of insight into life in Michigan. You can’t ask for more, except maybe seconds on the venison chili.

Outstanding. Beautifully written with an important lesson for our time. Not surprising it’s written by a teacher to be delivered by a teacher. This is Nora Louise Syran at her best.

The client may always be right, but wouldn’t it be fun to just once give them a piece of your mind? In this delightful monologue, Nora shows us just how much fun it can be. What a wonderful release of pent up frustration. Great for an audition or festival of shorts.

Luke and Jared meet under unusual circumstances, but as their conversation naturally progresses, a connection develops. Both men share sad memories, and yet Philip Middleton Williams keeps a light touch with gentle humor and a sprinkling of movie and TV references. And as usual, he makes it look easy. A gem.

You know the drill. An isolated cabin in the woods, horny teen occupants, and a menacing masked killer lurking about. What you might not know is that when John Busser gets ahold of this scenario the laughs come faster than a swinging machete. And Busser treats us to not one, but three short vignettes of the classic slasher genre. Halloween is coming. Get this on your program!

Who doesn’t love extras? Especially when we’re talking an extra helping of food, a free extra piece (or two) of fried chicken, or some other fun bonus. The people in our lives come with extras too. As Scott Sickles presents in this memorial monologue, sometimes those extras require a lot of patience. But they also leave a lasting impression, and in this case, a fitting tribute. Outstanding job of bringing time, place, and character to life in such a short piece.

Dawn Branch has created a moving story of two couples dealing with separation during a world war. Told primarily through letters, the story reveals the characters’ hopes and fears as the thought of war moves from the prospect of adventure to grim reality. The letters range from lighthearted to longing to despair. I honestly don’t know if they are the product of research, brilliant writing from Branch, or a combination of both. Branch also provides detailed and highly theatrical stage directions to ease the transition from the page to the stage. Here’s hoping someone will make that happen.