Recommended by Iyna Caruso

John Busser takes us on an emotional journey we never saw coming. This play delivers on so many levels. It’s heartbreaking, provocative, achingly real and leaves you wondering about the lengths we’re willing to go for the sake of love.

I love any play that makes me go down a rabbit hole to learn more. This excerpt of Yours Ever does exactly that. There are so many layers to Michele Clarke's story of Isabella Stewart Gardener, a woman who had to overcome so many personal and societal challenges to become a great patron of the arts. I can’t wait to read more. Or better yet, see it performed.

I had a chance to see a staged reading of Paper Dream. It’s an important period of little-known history and Nalan captures it in all its complexities. The characters are richly drawn and their struggles are universal. This is a play that deserves a wide audience.

Feeny-Williams brings humanity to characters most of society brushes off. Every one of her “girls” has a story, some desperately tragic. Yet, there’s a feeling of hope—things can get better—as long as you have someone who will sit by you, stand by you and let you share your darkest moments.

Oh, so sweet and clever. Deb Meyer turns a classic tale on its head and gives it a modern spin. The Big Bad Wolf is the underdog you’re rooting for. This monologue left me wanting more, which is perfect since Meyer expanded Dastardly Devon into a 30-minute play.

Look Away is so up my alley. I had no idea about this shocking historical episode that has so much relevance today. This is a chapter in American history that deserves to be heard. Kudos to Morey Norkin for bringing it to life and ensuring the story is more than a footnote.

A heartbreaker of a play cleverly executed. A bagel represents a simple but elusive pleasure that takes on a bigger meaning in the struggle between an aging man and his youthful self.

A fascinating exploration of the internal gymnastics it takes to get to a place where healing can begin. Wendy Vogel’s richly drawn character takes us through the full range of emotions. We’re sorry for her, frightened for her and cheering for her. Would love to see this monologue performed. I could imagine hearing a pin drop at the end.

What writer can’t relate to the chaos of multiple drafts? I got sucked in right away. Super clever and great laugh-out-loud fun.

As someone who’s written plays on art-related topics, I was smitten with Lynn Millar’s playful take on John Singer Sargent and his most famous portrait. How fun to see the subject of his masterpiece come alive and rekindle their relationship, if ever so briefly.