Recommended by Morey Norkin

A somewhat nervous film student has the opportunity to interview her childhood idol in a Zoom chat. Turns out they both have faced self-esteem issues from being considered “less beautiful.” For Marnie, the former child star and horror queen, the pandemic provided the perfect escape, voiceover work from a home studio. Jacquie Floyd-Priskorn, via film student Raven, imparts a valuable lesson in self acceptance, and both characters get more out of the interview than they could ever have imagined. Zoom theater is still going on. This play deserves more exposure!

A sweet two-hander in which an unusual act of kindness toward a reluctant recipient may bring about great change. Paul Donnelly’s writing, as always, is economical and exquisite. A situation and characters that draw you in instantly and make you care deeply. Highly recommended!

Installment #12, the finale. Or is it?! As the title suggests, the uprising against the Rejuvenation Center is just beginning, and we’re getting a clearer picture of who can be trusted. Joe Swenson has created quite a serial thriller! This series should probably be presented as it’s own festival! It also screams to be made into a blockbuster cinematic franchise! If you like sci-fi thrillers, run, don’t walk, to installment #1 and get ready for the ride!

Installment #11, the penultimate episode (so far). Major characters are reunited at the safe house. But how safe is it when various characters can’t trust each other or even their own memories? And with forces from the Rejuvenation Center converging! Will Jenny’s powers make a difference? I can hardly wait to find out!

Installment 9 of this thrilling series! All memory of Tammy is gone, and it looks like Jenny is ready to be large and in charge! Can the small band of resistance fighters bring down the Rejuvenation Center?! We’re getting closer to an answer!

Episode 3.5 of this thriller! I previously read through episode 9, but I saw Joe Swenson snuck this one in. Just like Tammy, this was a good way to get my bearings before proceeding with the latest episodes. Lots of fast-paced action. You’ll be rooting for Tammy/Jenny as she tries to regain her memory and figure out who she can trust. If you’re not familiar with this series, start at the beginning and you’ll be hooked! So glad there are new installments available!

In “Tesseract,” Scott Sickles picks up themes from his Second World Trilogy, particularly about a dystopian divided America. This time, the dangers are more stark, if that’s possible. The extensive research that went into this work serves to heighten the fear that this is indeed what the future holds. This is a play that must be read and seen so that hopefully enough people will recognize the threat posed by the far right and not allow “Tesseract” to be our future.

A story of loss told matter-of-factly in a deceptively simple way. The words lead us to the inevitable emotional conclusion. There is nothing simple about this monologue from Paul Smith except that it is simply breathtaking.

Unversed as I am in New Testament scripture, or any other for that matter, I still found this to be a compelling piece of theatre with a profound lesson. Three characters in a simple, but perhaps unusual setting demonstrate perfectly that patience is a virtue and that we should do unto others as we would have them do unto us. That’s two lessons! And you may find more, which is why this play works so well regardless of your background.

A powerful piece about dealing with grief as well as a moving tribute to fallen soldiers and their families. It’s easy to identify with the young airline passenger who prefers to be left alone with their thoughts instead of engaging with their talkative seat mate. I felt myself sharing the annoyance, and then Joe Swenson did the unexpected. Subtle but so effective. At the very least this play should become a Memorial Day tradition.