Recommended by Morey Norkin

I imagine cheers from the audience at the conclusion of this brilliant one-minute play. Go Danielle!

Ricardo Soltero-Brown’s dialogue practically leaps from the page! The negotiation between the two characters is filled with tension but also quite humorous. And what we learn about negotiation is that the ultimate objective is “how,” much more than who, what, where, or when. And that leaves me with the question: how do you write a play like this? I wish I knew and I wish I could see it performed.

Talk about holding a grudge! This is such a clever, original piece that will certainly evoke memories of elementary school recess. Very funny!

Poor Beth! She just wants to make sure a stranger on the beach is ok, and she ends up having to deal with the annoying Jeremy, a cursed merman. But why would the unseen Donna put a curse on Jeremy? Could it be his constant merman-splaining? No one writes funnier dialogue than Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend. And this is some of her best!

If you think about it, you can probably come up with a unique justification for any morally dubious behavior. And this pair of grave robbers have come up with a doozy! Robert LeBlanc has given us a wonderful comic duo that I would want to see played by Laurel and Hardy, if they could be resurrected. The introduction of the Watchman provides the perfect finish.

This fast paced story of fine art intrigue could easily be subtitled “The Last Temptation of Christ.” The moral question being asked is what is our obligation when we come into possession of a valuable object and we know who the rightful owner is? Iyna Caruso uses humor, especially in the form of renaissance painter Jacopo de Barbari, who follows the modern day mystery of his missing masterpiece. A fun time, a painless art history lesson, and a serving of justice. Perfect for any one-act festival.

Claudia Haas takes us on a beautiful adventure for all ages. And what we learn along with the central characters is that we all belong where we are loved and can give love in return. The storytelling moves deftly from sadness to fantasy to comical (Romeo and Juliet!) but always remains heartfelt. The incident this story is based on may not be true, but if it is, I’d like to believe it happened exactly like this.

Pickleball, Shakespeare, and Tom Jones make a delightful combination as two women make a bet that they can change their male partners’ style of play. The result is a thoroughly enjoyable theatre experience. With a Kim Ruyle play, it’s not unusual!

Wendy Vogel has created a deeply moving counterpoint between a conservative pastor’s sermon and his daughter’s personal story. The hypocrisy and hints of regret from the father are weighed against the pain and strength of the daughter. Brilliantly constructed, this piece cries out to be staged.

In this psychological thriller, Evan Baughfman provides an intriguing theory regarding the unsolved 1947 murder of Elizabeth Short, better known as the Black Dahlia. Fringe filmmakers coordinate with the government to manipulate behavior. Beyond the gruesome scene that plays out, we are forced to consider to what extent this is actually happening to us. Thought provoking and a first-rate horror story to boot.