Recommended by Iyna Caruso

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    For anyone who’s served (or loved someone who has), the irony of the title is clear. War is never really over. There are so many brilliant lines:
    “You got older than two years in two years.”
    “Some of the good times weren’t even that good, they were just not all bad.”
    Jolly drops us into a reunion between a returning serviceman and his sweetheart, and then transports us to the same spot decades later where the passage of time yields a new reality that is both crushing and beautiful.

    For anyone who’s served (or loved someone who has), the irony of the title is clear. War is never really over. There are so many brilliant lines:
    “You got older than two years in two years.”
    “Some of the good times weren’t even that good, they were just not all bad.”
    Jolly drops us into a reunion between a returning serviceman and his sweetheart, and then transports us to the same spot decades later where the passage of time yields a new reality that is both crushing and beautiful.

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    Ellen Abrams imagines Lizzy Borden’s life In the aftermath of her acquittal for murder with wit and invention. Here, a flirtatious Miss Lizzie uses her notoriety on a trio of eligible bachelors to get their hearts racing. It’s not exactly love. And that’s the point.

    Ellen Abrams imagines Lizzy Borden’s life In the aftermath of her acquittal for murder with wit and invention. Here, a flirtatious Miss Lizzie uses her notoriety on a trio of eligible bachelors to get their hearts racing. It’s not exactly love. And that’s the point.

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    What starts out as a breezy and relatable exchange between two best friends veers into an astute commentary on the state of the world today. The casual way these two teenagers touch on unthinkable situations makes Claudia Haas’ concise play even more powerful.

    What starts out as a breezy and relatable exchange between two best friends veers into an astute commentary on the state of the world today. The casual way these two teenagers touch on unthinkable situations makes Claudia Haas’ concise play even more powerful.

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    When half the cast drops out of a performance at the 11th hour, a reluctant stage manager is pressed into service and all hell breaks out. Nine Minute Nutcracker takes off from the start and doesn’t stop as actors are forced to make changes on the fly, leave characters by the wayside and ad lib on the go. This farce is great fun. Add a star if you love The Nutcracker like me.

    When half the cast drops out of a performance at the 11th hour, a reluctant stage manager is pressed into service and all hell breaks out. Nine Minute Nutcracker takes off from the start and doesn’t stop as actors are forced to make changes on the fly, leave characters by the wayside and ad lib on the go. This farce is great fun. Add a star if you love The Nutcracker like me.

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    A surprise visitor with nefarious intent gets sucked into the private little world of an elderly couple, where a chocolate chip cookie and a hot cup of coffee (with cream) are enough to throw him off his game. Like the visitor, I was smitten by this couple who are befuddlingly charming.

    A surprise visitor with nefarious intent gets sucked into the private little world of an elderly couple, where a chocolate chip cookie and a hot cup of coffee (with cream) are enough to throw him off his game. Like the visitor, I was smitten by this couple who are befuddlingly charming.

  • Iyna Caruso: WILMA WITH THE WEATHER: A MONOLOGUE by Asher Wyndham
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    Reading Asher Wyndham’s hard-hitting monologue I’m reminded of the classic line from the film Network: “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore.” Only this time it’s Wilma the weather anchor who’s mad as hell at sexism, bullying and body shaming and not going to take it. Powerful and, sadly, ever timely.

    Reading Asher Wyndham’s hard-hitting monologue I’m reminded of the classic line from the film Network: “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore.” Only this time it’s Wilma the weather anchor who’s mad as hell at sexism, bullying and body shaming and not going to take it. Powerful and, sadly, ever timely.

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  • Iyna Caruso: JOSEPHINE'S FORTUNE - A MONOLOGUE by Ellen Abrams
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    In Ellen Abrams’ period monologue, details deliciously unfold when a pint-size rival goes up against a larger-than-life historical figure. A clever—and unexpected—tale of love, devotion and even a bit of revenge.

    In Ellen Abrams’ period monologue, details deliciously unfold when a pint-size rival goes up against a larger-than-life historical figure. A clever—and unexpected—tale of love, devotion and even a bit of revenge.

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  • Iyna Caruso: Pancakes in Siberia by Mathew Green
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    Bravo to Mathew Green for coming up with an intriguing title and having it make perfect poetic sense. In this gripping two-hander, a father and son struggle to reconnect after years of estrangement. As the teenager says to his father, “You haven’t had a lot of practice with this version of me.” Pancakes in Siberia is as hopeful as it is haunting.

    Bravo to Mathew Green for coming up with an intriguing title and having it make perfect poetic sense. In this gripping two-hander, a father and son struggle to reconnect after years of estrangement. As the teenager says to his father, “You haven’t had a lot of practice with this version of me.” Pancakes in Siberia is as hopeful as it is haunting.

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  • Iyna Caruso: Lucy Tries Again by Jennifer O'Grady
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    I love seeing a side of Lucille Ball so different from the icon she became. Young, shy and questioning her talent. For anyone who’s ever experienced moments of self-doubt, especially at a pivotal moment in their life, “Lucy Tries Again” is a wonderful lesson in perseverance.

    I love seeing a side of Lucille Ball so different from the icon she became. Young, shy and questioning her talent. For anyone who’s ever experienced moments of self-doubt, especially at a pivotal moment in their life, “Lucy Tries Again” is a wonderful lesson in perseverance.

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  • Iyna Caruso: 'Twas the Morning of Christmas by Morey Norkin
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    Christmas deliveries hit a snag in this punchy holiday send-up that’s got more laughs than gifts in Santa’s sled. Morey’s Norkin’s ‘Twas the Morning of Christmas will add the perfect spark of Christmas cheer to any seasonal line-up.

    Christmas deliveries hit a snag in this punchy holiday send-up that’s got more laughs than gifts in Santa’s sled. Morey’s Norkin’s ‘Twas the Morning of Christmas will add the perfect spark of Christmas cheer to any seasonal line-up.

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