Recommended by Kelly McBurnette-Andronicos

You wouldn't think a play about a couple of 'tough guys' would be described as charming, but the relationship these two characters form in a very short time is both funny and warm. Even though Williams does a wonderful job of landscaping this play - you can almost smell the sage! - this one-act could be easily performed with only a couple cubes. It's a true testament to the writer's ability to imbue his snappy dialogue with such rich details, an elaborate set simply isn't necessary. 'Tucumcari Tonight' is a quick, breezy read with a lot of heart.

(Virtual Staged Reading at Playwrights Realm) National events are distilled down to high concentrations in this highly-pressurized family drama. These characters are so well drawn and richly textured, I almost felt as if I was part of the family, and I became truly fearful for their safety. This says so much about Smith's gift to evoke empathy. Notably, Smith does not let us off easy at the end either, with a closing scene worthy of the complex characters he's given us. Really well done.

In this outstanding nod to Old Hollywood, Lyons and DeVita have constructed a parallel universe so utterly convincing, I found myself continuingly asking myself if the references to movies and industry anecdotes were real. The style of the banter, the crispness of the dialogue, the concerns of the characters are so precisely dialed in to 20th century industry culture, it makes this smart noir comedy all the more brilliant. Too heartfelt to be simply a farce, and far too funny to be a straight up dramedy, this play threads numerous genre needles. One of my favorite plays found on NPX!

Martin goes straight to the heart of the matter in exploring what drives eating disorders in this monologue suitable for any gender. Even though it uses an economy of language, the piece is surprisingly complex, with peaks of humor and depths of sadness. It's a convincing walk through both the myriad of reasons that drive this behavior and the coping mechanisms one develops to control it. Superb choice for a competition. Well done.

I saw a reading of this short play at the 2020 Mid-America Theatre Conference and sought it out again to read. A fun take on theatre and historical style, it's darkly funny, but surprisingly rich and full of depth for such a short piece. Well-developed characters, too.

Never have I read a play that moves at such a zippy clip, in such a light, frolicking way and still manages to explore such weighty and timely socio-political topics as income inequality, socialism, women’s rights, and immigration just to name a few. Polner has the amazing ability to load his scenes with American history, political theory, and pointed commentary while at the same time keeping the conversation between characters moving and the interactions real – not to mention genuinely funny! I would love to see this show in production with the appropriately raucous audience!

Who knew the end of humanity would be so fun AND disturbing? Gonzalez is one of the most flexible playwrights of our time, leaping from one genre to another, and trying on styles like so much clothing. He has the amazing ability to glide effortlessly into any style he chooses to play in. Intelligent thematic shout outs, outrageous theatricality, zany but smart comedy, social commentary, and (dare I say it) a bit of prophecy, too. This play will leave residue in your brain. I’m going to be untangling it for a long time. Highly recommended.

I don’t know how it is I’m the first to review this play, but I feel like I dug up a diamond. Boynton’s heart wrenching and tangible imagining of the first and only female Pope offers us a poignantly impossible love story, a lesson in gender studies, and fully wrought characters all wrapped up in a language that’s beautifully elegant, sophisticated, and smart. This play wrestles with many themes, all of which are intellectually choreographed brilliantly by the writer. High theatricality and intense drama, with such an economy of effort (seemingly) is a wonder. Highly recommended!

What I like most about this short is it’s unexpected. I didn’t expect to get to know both characters so well. I didn’t expect to switch loyalties from one to the other. I didn’t expect the ending. It’s also an effective reminder that the way we see ourselves is not always how others see us.

What I like most about this beautifully executed play, is how palpable the terror feels for the mother. And rolled out alongside Halloween, as if the true horror for Edna is her very real concern for the safety and well-being of her child, is just brilliant. The title is quite smart, too. Wonderfully crafted characters round out this stellar 10 minute play. What a gem!