Recommended by Dan West

  •

    A literal fish out of water tale in which a merman named Jeremy is left high and dry on the beach after being cursed by an angry enchantress, and it is left to human Beth to help him get his fin back (whether the mansplaining twit deserves it or not). The awkward dynamic between the mismatched pair drives the comedic action in this pithy and hilarious short two-hander. It may not be fun discovering that the legends of your childhood are jerks, but it sure is funny to watch.

    A literal fish out of water tale in which a merman named Jeremy is left high and dry on the beach after being cursed by an angry enchantress, and it is left to human Beth to help him get his fin back (whether the mansplaining twit deserves it or not). The awkward dynamic between the mismatched pair drives the comedic action in this pithy and hilarious short two-hander. It may not be fun discovering that the legends of your childhood are jerks, but it sure is funny to watch.

  •

    Two scientists are hurdling on a spaceship to Mars with a mission to repopulate humanity when the cryogenic chamber containing their “specimen” begins to fail. Frustrations mount as only one of the men appears to be concerned about there shared dilemma (and the A.I. assistant is no help either). A compelling exploration of how people react when there are no right answers.

    Two scientists are hurdling on a spaceship to Mars with a mission to repopulate humanity when the cryogenic chamber containing their “specimen” begins to fail. Frustrations mount as only one of the men appears to be concerned about there shared dilemma (and the A.I. assistant is no help either). A compelling exploration of how people react when there are no right answers.

  •

    If food is love, 24 Lasagnas is the prescribed recipe for healing that one father and one daughter must share to overcome their unimaginable loss in this touching and delicately wrought short two-hander. Christopher Plumridge explores the pairs shared capacity to metabolize their grief through cooking the meal that most reminds them of their recently lost wife/mother without ever once becoming maudlin of losing sight of the absurdity of their coping mechanism. Who cares if it’s a touch heavy on the nutmeg, I love it.

    If food is love, 24 Lasagnas is the prescribed recipe for healing that one father and one daughter must share to overcome their unimaginable loss in this touching and delicately wrought short two-hander. Christopher Plumridge explores the pairs shared capacity to metabolize their grief through cooking the meal that most reminds them of their recently lost wife/mother without ever once becoming maudlin of losing sight of the absurdity of their coping mechanism. Who cares if it’s a touch heavy on the nutmeg, I love it.

  •

    A mysterious call at work leads Charles to question his wife Melinda about their past which, in turn, leads to an unraveling of every he thought he knew about her…and them. Marj O'Neill-Butler Does an exemplary job escalating the tension in the ten-minute two-hander at the perfect pace. The final gut-punch lands with a force and precision that not only leaves Charles staggered and catching his breath, but will have the audience doing so as well.

    A mysterious call at work leads Charles to question his wife Melinda about their past which, in turn, leads to an unraveling of every he thought he knew about her…and them. Marj O'Neill-Butler Does an exemplary job escalating the tension in the ten-minute two-hander at the perfect pace. The final gut-punch lands with a force and precision that not only leaves Charles staggered and catching his breath, but will have the audience doing so as well.

  •

    What is a Victorian Murder Mystery without an actual murder? Well, in the hands of Christopher Soucy, it’s damn funny. Detective Avery and his assistant Mr. Worth have their suspect all lined up and ready to accuse, and all they need to determine is the crime that has been committed. This outrageous, short one act comedic mystery demolishes all the Holmesian tropes while never once betraying them. And the final beat answers the question that many fans have been asking for well over a century.

    What is a Victorian Murder Mystery without an actual murder? Well, in the hands of Christopher Soucy, it’s damn funny. Detective Avery and his assistant Mr. Worth have their suspect all lined up and ready to accuse, and all they need to determine is the crime that has been committed. This outrageous, short one act comedic mystery demolishes all the Holmesian tropes while never once betraying them. And the final beat answers the question that many fans have been asking for well over a century.

  • Dan West: The Cabin and the Storm by Caden Barley
    “

    Diane and Quinn are preparing to ride out a winter storm in their remote woodland cabin when an enigmatic male stranger shows up at the door seeking shelter and succor. But as Diane ponders the risks of providing assistance as she awaits Quinn's return, it becomes apparent that not all may be as it seems. Caden Barley does a great job building the sense of isolation and escalating peril (both corporeal and environmental) to make this 10-minute mystery/thriller and absolute winner.

    Diane and Quinn are preparing to ride out a winter storm in their remote woodland cabin when an enigmatic male stranger shows up at the door seeking shelter and succor. But as Diane ponders the risks of providing assistance as she awaits Quinn's return, it becomes apparent that not all may be as it seems. Caden Barley does a great job building the sense of isolation and escalating peril (both corporeal and environmental) to make this 10-minute mystery/thriller and absolute winner.

    ”
  • Dan West: The Lady With A Laptop by Dominica Plummer
    “

    What starts as a comedy about mismatched seatmates on a read-eye flight gradually raises the stakes until all involved become aware that tonight's cross-country jaunt may offer more nightmares than sweet dreams. Dominica Plummer does an exemplary job of maintaining the humor in this short play while at the same time escalating the menace to the point where the ending seems as inevitable as it is surprising. Be wary of those that fly beneath your notice, there may be more to them than meets the eye.

    What starts as a comedy about mismatched seatmates on a read-eye flight gradually raises the stakes until all involved become aware that tonight's cross-country jaunt may offer more nightmares than sweet dreams. Dominica Plummer does an exemplary job of maintaining the humor in this short play while at the same time escalating the menace to the point where the ending seems as inevitable as it is surprising. Be wary of those that fly beneath your notice, there may be more to them than meets the eye.

    ”
  • Dan West: AMUSING WILLIE ..............A Ten-Minute Comedy by Donald Loftus
    “

    Most artists are lucky to have a single muse. Shakespeare (apparently) had three. In Donald Loftus’ short comedic “Amusing Willie”, the Bard must defend his own process from the three goddesses sent to inspire him and (perhaps) look out for posterity’s best interested. I laughed aloud more than once wondering what high school might have been like if we all had been forced to study “Romano and Jezebel”.

    Most artists are lucky to have a single muse. Shakespeare (apparently) had three. In Donald Loftus’ short comedic “Amusing Willie”, the Bard must defend his own process from the three goddesses sent to inspire him and (perhaps) look out for posterity’s best interested. I laughed aloud more than once wondering what high school might have been like if we all had been forced to study “Romano and Jezebel”.

    ”
  • Dan West: Octavia by Daniel Prillaman
    “

    When you are in high school, there are certain social consequences to your actions. When those actions require the digging of a shallow grave, the consequences can be life changing. Harriet has messed up and needs Audrey’s cooperation to keep her horrible secret buried. In this masterful 10-minute two-hander, Daniel Prillaman takes us through a full gamut of emotional response from suspense to horror to…compassion? Chilling and effective.

    When you are in high school, there are certain social consequences to your actions. When those actions require the digging of a shallow grave, the consequences can be life changing. Harriet has messed up and needs Audrey’s cooperation to keep her horrible secret buried. In this masterful 10-minute two-hander, Daniel Prillaman takes us through a full gamut of emotional response from suspense to horror to…compassion? Chilling and effective.

    ”
  • Dan West: What You Make of It by H.E. Dunkle
    “

    What if a well-cooked diner meal could reputedly grant wishes? Would you treat it as an article of faith or call it as you see it? Vic can barely make ends meet flipping flapjacks at Destiny's Diner and has had it up to here with the restaurant's "delusional" clientele when Tori walks in, just before closing, desperate for some good luck for tomorrow mornings job interview. H.E. Dunkle's ear for lively and dynamic dialogue makes this short, charming two-hander and absolute winner.

    What if a well-cooked diner meal could reputedly grant wishes? Would you treat it as an article of faith or call it as you see it? Vic can barely make ends meet flipping flapjacks at Destiny's Diner and has had it up to here with the restaurant's "delusional" clientele when Tori walks in, just before closing, desperate for some good luck for tomorrow mornings job interview. H.E. Dunkle's ear for lively and dynamic dialogue makes this short, charming two-hander and absolute winner.

    ”