Recommended by Anj Marie Riffel

What a creative twist on an old nursery rhyme. I suspected we were in for some fun after reading the characters' names, and JAMES BINZ does not disappoint! But it's not merely for giggles... there's a powerful message to be extracted from this reimagined tale as well. So very clever!

In this 5-minute drama, DEBRA A. COLE reminds us exactly why sleepovers are so important: the silliness, the bonding — and most importantly — the safe space for sharing. Her characters come to life through surface-level giggles and gossip, then show what they're really made of when one of them needs back-up. THE SLEEPOVER is a must-see for preteens and parents alike.

Dodging the Easter-egg landmines in this mashup of cultural goodness was as fun as collecting the unapologetic overt references! (I don't care Who you are, Sir Pete himself would surely approve.) BRENT ALLES never fails to entertain with clever wit and beautifully paced dialogue. If you're looking to add some laughs to your festival, you've found it – this play is to die for.

Such a lovely musing about the passage of time and the healing that nature offers. "Tree" sounds like the best of friends: such a sturdy, present listener. Reminiscent of The Giving Tree, I enjoyed the twist that ADAM RICHTER provides here. We aren't left feeling sad for what was done to Tree, but content, with a smile and great appreciation for the moment at hand.

This smart take on Shakespeare has us putting the puzzle pieces together as DEBRA A. COLE drops them in our laps. In the end, we have a picture of Ophelia that feels as hauntingly tragic as the original, but reimagined in modern light.

BRENT ALLES gives us the laugh we desperately need in desperate times. Outrageous true events become Silly Putty in ALLES' creative hands as he reshapes horror/tragedy into comedy, using a lower-stakes setting. Very brilliant. Very funny. (Very scary.)

Ah, the trials and tribs weathered by an old married couple. The squabbling. The grand gestures. The making up. I love the characterization DEBRA A. COLE uses in this short play to make a familiar conversation feel fresh and new — like the first day of spring!

I grinned all the way through this clever concept and ridiculous-yet-relatable new play by DEBRA A. COLE. The lighthearted ribbing between generations is a pure delight, the characters come to life quickly, and the described visuals for the party decorations make for some fun brain candy. If all that weren't enough, the last line is brilliant — I'll be ordering that balloon as soon as it's available.

In NOT ON MY PATCH, Lou Jones takes us for a stroll through the park (almost) in what feels like a sad gray world. We see what happens when hall monitor wannabes are complicit with (capital-R) Rule Breakers, ascend to positions of power, then suddenly insist on enforcing minutiae with T-crossing (and eye-crossing!) precision. We sure feel for Jan — and anyone else who simply wants to live life in peace. Well done!

In this thriller, I love how DEBRA A. COLE leads our minds lightheartedly meandering through a field of possibilities, until we hear that twig snap and know things are about to get dark, fast. COLE is a master at giving our imaginations everything we need to know to have an amazing theatrical experience in a quick few minutes!