Recommended by Morey Norkin

The topic of this play is something close to my heart. Herons! There’s a tree in a park near my house where dozens of herons roost nightly. I suppose there’s poop too. In Lawing’s cute ornithological comedy, a pair of heron scouts are looking for a new home since they have overpooped their current abode. All of the characters are enjoyable, particularly Ana, who needs some sleep! Costumers will have a ball with this one and so will audiences!

Three sisters gather annually to memorialize their mother, who was a 9/11 victim. Their rituals, lingering grief, and anxiety over future terrorist attacks and rising antisemitism create a palpable tension among them. Claudia Haas brilliantly captures the various stages these sisters find themselves in, from being stuck in the past to making a clean break. Their journey to understand each other and deal with their loss is captivating. Beautifully done.

I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship! Wendy and Noreen seem to each offer something the other needs in her life. As long as they don’t boss each other around too much. A fun two-hander for seasoned actors with a clever script and great opportunity for physical comedy. Find the actors, a bench, and stage it!

Amazing how such a powerful story can be told in one minute! Lou Jones lands an emotional punch with this well-crafted short!

This is a play about love, and I love everything about it! The characters, the three-act structure that gives focus to each character respectively, the ever-present narrator who seamlessly moves the story along providing insight into the characters’ thoughts and unspoken words. As with real life and love, there are missed signals, misinterpreted signals, and the nagging question of what if. You can’t help but care for these characters, and Sam Heyman provides a satisfying conclusion. Do yourself a favor and read this play!

This is a sweet resolution to Jacquie Floyd-Priskorn’s BACKYARD STONEHENGE. The focus is on the relationship between elderly neighbor and her nephew, who is also her caretaker. Caring for the elderly can be a challenge when it seems that they can’t see beyond their own needs. But these two manage to come to an understanding. And Stonehenge is returned to its rightful owner. A feel good ending all around!

This beautiful monologue is practically poetic in substance and style. An owl, any of us really, opens its eyes to its own negative impact on the world. But change is hard and lonely. And if others are unwilling, what can we do? Jacquie Floyd-Priskorn’s Owl’s response is painfully recognizable. I hope this monologue finds a large audience so it can be a catalyst for positive change.

I remember playing tag as a child, and being “it” meant trying to catch at least one other kid before they all made it to the safe spot. In Jacquie Floyd-Priskorn’s eerie short play, safety is uncertain and being “it” takes on a whole new, scary meaning. No ages are specified for the characters, making the interpretations of this play practically limitless. I shiver just writing this recommendation!

Showing up for our loved ones takes little effort, yet the payoff can be immense. Bram Hartman shows us two dads in different stages of loss, different perspectives on life and parenting, but both showing up for their kids’ soccer match. The dialogue is natural and leads convincingly to a heartwarming conclusion. Two great roles, simple staging, perfect for any festival.

From the character list, I was sure I knew where this was going. And a couple of pages in, with Jacquie Floyd Priskorn’s brilliant comic banter, I was convinced. Then Wes came back. This play had a production in 2008. Fifteen years later and the Wes’s of the world are at it again! CUPID is as relevant and important today as ever. Love is love!