Recommended by Morey Norkin

Chris Plumridge has a talent for creating imperfect characters who are completely relatable. Sophie is a perfect example. Plumridge makes great use of an unseen children’s party and a very visible bottle of wine to bring Sophie to life with a blend of humor and pathos on perhaps not one of her best days. Actresses will have a blast with this.

Apparently this play has been around in some form for at least nine years. And yet reading it now, I find the conflicting views between Israelis and Palestinians and among American Jews are as stark as ever. Emma Goldman-Sherman bravely takes on these issues in an intelligent, thoughtful manner in this heartbreaking story. I say bravely because those with entrenched opinions on either side are likely to react strongly. All the more reason for this to be widely read and performed to spark discussion. Well done!

Representation matters. And for anyone who is struggling or knows someone who is struggling with an eating disorder, I would hope this play provides some recognition and more of the challenges, hopes, and victories along the road to recovery. This was completely eye opening for me. And for all the good that can come from producing this piece, it’s important to note it’s a remarkable theatrical work. So produce it!

Tomorrow isn’t promised. Gary and Sam reunite to spend the last moments of the world together. They confess their love for one another and imagine the life they could have had if only… Mike Byham has created a beautiful piece with engaging characters. So much so you’ll want to believe their love can survive anything. This one will have you smiling and crying at the same time.

Fantastic(al) indeed! Megan Fraedrich has created an intelligent and entertaining one-act around the life of young Will Shakespeare. On one level it is an origin story. On other, even more relatable levels it is a story of the relationship between fathers and sons and the desire to leave a legacy. I was recently honored to share a bill with this play. I imagine the audience must have been thoroughly engrossed in this tale as I was reading it. Great opportunities for actors and directors alike.

As cool as this two-hander is as a sci-fi piece, and it’s very cool, it’s the humanity at the core that makes it work so well. I think back to the giant leap for mankind and the bravery and potential sacrifice involved. Anastasia Wild has created a similar situation with two scientists, friends weighing important decisions. Audiences will find themselves captivated by these characters and their choices and wondering what they would do under similar circumstances. Hope they get the chance soon.

The holiday crush at an airport coupled with foul weather and foul tempered travelers. Asher Wyndham captures it all in this wild monologue. Delivered from the perspective of a gate attendant, the monologue shows just how much airport staff have to endure and how they have it just as bad if not worse than their customers. The lesson? When you travel, be prepared and be kind. Would love to see an actor pull this one off.

I love these two alta cockers! It was fun taking a journey with them as they reflect on the golden age of TV. Comedy is hard, especially since tastes and sensibilities change over the years. All the more amazing that the personalities and programs Jack and Sammy worked for in their youth are still funny today. The back and forth between these two is funny and nostalgic. Hope they find that last great joke.

“To move wild laughter in the throat of death?—
It cannot be, it is impossible.”

Unless Mark Harvey Levine is the playwright then death, or undeath, has never been funnier. The jokes, the puns. I love it!

The tension is palpable as partners in an online “relationship” come face-to-face. Through the intercession of a mutual friend we learn some hard truths about the other two. A short piece with not a moment or a word wasted. A gift for three lucky actors.