Recommended by Melissa Schmitz

F---ing brilliant writing. Great for ensemble theatres. The rhymes and sex comedy are perfection, from the very first lines until End of Play.

KRAMPUS MY STYLE is a delightful, villainous morsel an actor can really sink their teeth into, complete with an ironic twist at the end.

ARTEMISIA has everything! Art, feminism, lots of swearing, sex, an Italian duke, good writing - what else could you possibly want? Artemisia's life and the stories her paintings tell are deliciously woven together in this story about a real-life artist from 17th century Italy. ARTEMISIA has a long life ahead of it and will definitely help keep Lauren Gunderson on the "most-produced" lists where she belongs!

John Minigan has crafted a fun and compelling solo adaptation of THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW that offers a delightfully challenging tour de force for the actor tasked with performing it. A great opportunity for a dynamic character actor looking to demonstrate or extend their range in a show is pretty much guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

In CYRANO ON THE MOON, Monica Cross imagines a sequel in which our heroes earn a happier ending in the afterlife in this magical, whimsical short play that still allows time for swash-buckling and romance. Delightful.

THE VIOLET SISTERS by Gina Femia is a play I still think about even though I read it a few years ago. If you want a two-hander with strong female leads, suspense, dynamic characters that actors can really sink their teeth into, realistic dialog, and a play about family, look no further. Highly highly recommend.

From the provocative title to the shocking conclusion, TEENAGE DICK by Mike Lew is a captivating, modern adaptation of RICHARD III that builds suspense with each scene, even when you "know" what's going to happen. The dramaturgy is tight, the dialog is realistic, even the names are clever, and it's one of the best plays I've read in the past few years. Highly recommend.

Rachel Feeny-Williams' UNTITLED CHRISTMAS PRODUCTION takes the Dickens classic, modernizes it, swaps some gender roles, adds some slapstick, and delivers a delightful adaptation for those looking for a fun alternative to their holiday lineup.

In NOIR HAMLET, John Minigan achieves the impossible. He takes Shakespeare's beloved tragedy and turns it into a short, fun, comedy, while maintaining that familiar storyline. If you like HAMLET, but you need a play that's not so heavy or long and you have a small cast, look no further. Highly recommend.

THE THREE SISTERS OF WEEHAWKEN by Deborah Zoe Laufer is a biting satire of the Chekhov classic. I inhaled it on a flight to NYC, which was very serendipitous given the ending of the play. Hilarious from start to finish and a great script for four character actresses. Highly recommend.