Recommended by DC Cathro

Gatton paints a vivid picture in this short piece about heading into the millennium with wonder and gusto, and that glowing picture is full of humor tinged with sadness and the horror of watching one of your parents invade what was supposed to be your foray into a brave new world. Much like an actual rave, his writing is an assault to your senses and just as intoxicating. Drink up, it’s a great ride.

This play will crush you, leave your heart torn and stay with you, nagging at your mind, for a very long time. This is the highest praise. An unthinkable, unbearable situation… Literally watching your loved ones perish when there’s absolutely no hope and nothing you can do, but Sickles will play your heart strings like a violin from beginning to end. The family love shines brightly in the tragedy, making it all the more tragic, sad, and oh so beautiful. Absolutely stunning work.

The title is misleading in this dark, semi-comedic-but-not-quite, short play. Gatton weaves these lives together like the knitting in the piece, and the characters are clear and well voiced. The moment captured in this piece means something drastically different for each of these people, and in this unassuming convenience store, all of their lives are about to change forever. That speaks to so many of us on many levels. Engrossing and ultimately heartbreaking, but really wonderful writing.

A fast and funny (and a tad flirty) romp! LeBlanc channels the style of Coward with lots of hilarious, sharp tongued barbs full of love, or venom, or both. Visually saucy and a ridiculously good time for some actors to sink their teeth into. Incredibly fun!

A difficult subject, handled in an unusual way. “Miss Treatment” plays with an unexpected take on assisted suicide with a unique approach, and an ending that you may or may not guess, but will definitely leave an impact. Fascinating.

A bittersweet comedy of longing and science, “Pocket Universe” features a fun and inventive premise with great opportunities for actors and designers to shine. Emotionally full and simply a delight to experience. I’ve read the script and seen a reading of this piece and both were really wonderful. Definitely check it out!

A creepy, twisty, and emotional rollercoaster of a play, “Wake” fires on all cylinders. It draws you into a world of love, betrayal, and the supernatural in a wonderfully and completely natural way. Great dialogue and fantastic challenges for actors and designers alike. Stellar work.

A beautiful, sweetly told tale of aging parents and their son, trying his hardest to do what he feels is best. Features wonderfully emotional dialogue and well defined characters who end up butting heads in an attempt to do what feels right, but there are no right or easy answers in this well told short play. Great roles for older actors. Lovely and relatable.

“Suicide Hotline” is an unexpectedly funny scene between two clearly down-on-their-luck Joes who may or may not have just saved each other? This quirky, dark comedy deals with a serious subject in a lighthearted way that feels natural, and it’s a great piece for an expressive actor who has to work opposite a rotary phone. The ending is really brilliant, too. Great fun!

The brothers in this piece, despite their age, still manage to surprise each other in both positive and negative ways, and Williams keeps the tension and emotion rolling along with crisp, natural dialogue and the kind of familial banter that anyone with siblings will recognize. I love the rich history he gives his characters in his interlocking plays, but they all still stand strongly on their own.