Recommended by Morey Norkin

Although Cole Hunter Dzubak uses a Godot theme, there are no gimmicks, no schtick, just a deeply human conversation between two people of different generations, each trying to get their lives back on track after emotional/physical upheaval. An audition is kind of a refuge for them both. The dialogue is effortless, real, and completely engaging. Of course, there is waiting. But this mainly serves to allow the conversation to continue and a new friendship to bloom. Simple to stage, so hopefully someone will make that happen.

OMG! What a terrific, clever, funny, haunting play. Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend uses an unwilling prophet and the Messiah as an unlikely pair to warn the world of impending doom because of climate change. The scenes are neatly connected by radio programming that, in addition to some hilarious Florida man jokes, presents enough factual information to sound alarms. And the ending… shocking, yet so believable. This play ultimately is an urgent call to action. Read it. Stage it. Act now.

After reading this I don’t know whether I’m coming or going. But what I do know is I’m laughing! Only John Busser could write such a funny time travel story in a corporate setting and combine it with a clever cure for an STD! Yes, it’s that crazy and that much fun! Reading/staging this should be a destiny event!

Completely original and totally hilarious! Emily McClain’s gender-neutral monologue about a cabin porter on a quarantined cruise liner who makes an inappropriate towel sculpture is a must read, must see! This play will pop into my head anytime I happen across an elaborately folded towel or napkin.

I don’t have words to adequately describe Andrew Martineau’s beautiful writing or the emotional impact of this play. Heartbreaking is certainly a word that comes to mind but doesn’t really do justice to the many emotional levels experienced in such a short time span. I highly recommend reading and staging this play.

Allie Costa’s award-winning Noir turn is a tightly written thriller that changes things up some by introducing a female PI. But she’s as tough as any Dashiell Hammet detective. Great characters, surprising plot twists. And maybe the perfect crime. This is a great read and no doubt a treat for audiences!

Danielle Wirsansky has crafted an excellent two hander for women. Set during WWII, the story is an imagined conversation between a true life young Japanese American woman (Grace Harada) and her recruiter as she attempts to enlist in the Women's Army Corps. Being of Japanese ancestry, Grace’s options for schooling, housing, and employment were severely limited. But she’s a strong-willed character who is no longer willing to except no as an answer. The tragedy of war often brings us such characters. I hope this play will continue to build on its early success!

Having just read Jack Levine’s poignant tale, Intentions Matter, I was anxious to try something a little lighter from him. I made an excellent choice with It’s Really Very Simple! Jack has writers block. To help him through this predicament he enlists a talking monkey and a talking horse, Gerry and Dusty, respectively. The pair suggest plenty of funny ideas, at least to them and to us. What a treat this would be to see staged! What fun to call on Gerry and Dusty even when you’re not writing!

Intentions Matter, but the underlying truth can still be haunting. Jack Levine presents a beautiful relationship between an uncle turned father with his niece turned daughter that was forged under tragic circumstances. Beneath the surface there is a foreboding sense of guilt. I’m late to the Jack Levine portfolio, but based on this deeply moving play, I will be playing catch up!

Don Baker takes us along on a family road trip to Florida through the segregated south. The vivid memories recalled by White septuagenarian James of a time when he was 10 are at once nostalgic and unsettling. Baker’s monologue is an important reminder of where America has been in terms of race relations and how much work remains. I hope this will be performed often!