Recommended by Zareh Artinian

This is a great, short mystery story, complete with multiple, intriguing twists and turns in its brief 10-minute runtime. Great job with planting lines early in the story that resonate later. A very tight, well-written suspense piece that would be fun to watch played out on stage.

Paul does a great job with the dialogue between the characters, both in terms of how it reveals the dynamics between them and the cadence of the language. An original and unique take on the spirits that visit us during the holidays and their manifestation of the guilt the main character feels over the death of her daughter.

"Astor Place" relays the stranger-than-fiction events that occurred between rival actors whose rivalry resonated in different ways with those who witnessed it. Mr. Martineau makes these events relevant today as an examination of the explosive consequences that may occur in clashes between the haves and have nots, the aristocracy and those they look down upon. Structurally, Mr. Martineau deftly weaves together the many scenes that occur in various locations and jumps through time, while the audience never loses a sense of grounding. A lesser talent could have succeeded in this form of storytelling. I would love to see this performed!

I wasn't familiar with the original O'Henry story, but I love a story with the type of twist ending O. Henry was known to deliver. I read the original story after reading this play, and I think James Perry has elevated the original in several ways. I won't give anything away, but the device of having one of the characters involved in the con tell the story adds to the dramatic tension. Other changes also keep this story fresh. It's also surprisingly relevant in the modern age of online catfishing! A fun show that I'm sure will amuse audiences!

This play deals with regret in an interesting way, straddling the border between reality and science fiction, leaving the audience guessing what's going on. Even the ending is a surprise and does not only contain a twisting ending, but then delivers a second twist! Well done!

"Hidden Victims," whose title contains a double meaning, is a powerful piece that explores the ramifications of the collateral damage caused by a criminal's actions. It is rare that people stop to consider or discuss the effects on the friends and relatives of the perpetrators of such crimes, as Marilyn Ollett's play does. She incorporates some effective experimental devices to tell this story from the points of view of the murderer's sisters, and I was surprised by the ending. This piece leaves the audience with much to think about.