Recommended by Morey Norkin

Following your dreams can be scary, but if you have friends who support and believe in you, you can overcome your fears. That’s the message of THE THATCHER THEATER TERROR, delivered in delightful comic fashion by Brenton Kniess. Mix together some clever horror film titles, a bit of the Wizard of Oz, and a popcorn game, and the result is this enjoyable treat suitable for Halloween or any other time of the year!

Alice Josephs takes a fun look back at Cold War era intrigue in under 10 minutes. The story centers on a young couple staying at a home with with an unusual decor and place in history and another couple from the earlier era. The juxtaposition between the two couples from the past and present works perfectly. Like a visit to the Spy Museum, you’re in store for some surprises!

What a delightfully funny ode to girl sleuth Nancy Drew. A crazy cast of supporting characters, clever staging, and a perfect ending that will leave you laughing. Hopefully Melissa Milich will turn this into a series!

This was so devastating. Paul Donnelly’s beautifully written and frustratingly realistic depiction of the discrimination against same-sex partners during the AIDS epidemic is a must read. The anguish felt by Randy is palpable. And the ending… This play may be set during the 1980s, but it is, sadly, very much relevant today. Outstanding!

Three female co-workers, rivals, practical jokers. One of them in particular doesn’t seem to have a firm grasp on reality. And when she invites the other two to her place to help with a problem, things get really bizarre. But is Gail (the bizarre one) really this unusual or is there a method to her madness? There are plenty of laughs that allow the ending to just sneak up on you. Different ways to interpret what’s going on make this a fun opportunity for readings and staging!

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!