Recommended by Morey Norkin

“15 Seconds” is all it takes to unravel your world. In this moving, tragic short play, a mother faces the loss of her son as well as the realization that he didn’t or couldn’t share his true self with her. This beautifully written piece by Bruce Karp and it’s haunting final image will stay with you long after reading or viewing.

Looking to explore new frontiers (and back alleys) in their sex life, Janet introduces an interesting self-help book to hubby Malcolm. This play is outrageously funny, and sure to be a hit, especially with audiences of a certain age. Christopher Plumridge, you naughty boy! Well done!

Jane is a detective who got her certificate through Groupon. Her secretary has an aversion to work, which is good since they’ve never had a case in the three years the office has been open. Until now! A visitor to town reports her husband missing. The dialogue is so clever and funny. The characters are distinct and enjoyable. And the resolution of the case is quite surprising. It is Rachel Feeny-Williams doing what she does best! Great story, great characters, great time for all!

The characters, Badass and Sadsack, are perfectly named as Jillian Blevins’ dialogue makes clear. In a bar where no bartender can be found, these two strangers, polar opposites, handle the situation in their own unique ways. As different as the two seem on the surface, there may be something underlying that binds them. Great writing! Would love to see it live!

A sweet romantic comedy mixed with a little mystery! Debra Cole has a gift for creating clever short pieces with winning characters and surprising conclusions! You must read this to learn how a mother discovers the truth of her son’s romantic relationship. You will not be disappointed!

This is just plain hysterical! As soon as you read the character list and the scene starts with a dead guy in a red shirt, you know Philip Middleton Williams will leave no cliche unturned! He even worked in the toilet paper joke! This is so much fun, and I couldn’t help but read it with all of the well-known voices in my head. I may have to come back to this from time to time just for the laughs!

Imagine Romeo and Juliet in more modern times having survived their youth and now preparing to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. That’s what Lee R. Lawing has done to great dramatic effect. Lawing questions whether the idealized romantic love of their youth would sustain them through their lifetime. As we see here, the fire of youth has cooled to a certain familiarity, maybe even complacency or boredom. A tale for our times. “For never was a story of more woe, Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.” Well done!

Debra Cole has created quite an extraordinary character study in this brief monologue. An actor can choose many different ways to play this from a matter-of-fact explanation to full on obsessive-compulsive paranoia and everything in between. And any option would be entertaining. In addition to the skillful construction of this piece, Debra manages to lay in some sound safety advice. I would love to see this performed!

Win, lose, or draw, there’s no escaping death when it’s our time. Scott Sickles presents Michael’s encounter with the well-known figure of Death as he tries to stall for time through a chess match. The dialogue is funny and clever, but leads us gently to the inevitable conclusion. As if someone had taken us by the hand. Beautifully done.

Chilling, and yet hauntingly beautiful! The unexpected twist brings this thrilling gothic tale to a satisfying conclusion! Would love to see this on stage or even on screen!