Recommended by Dan West

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    Two couples sit at separate tables in a coffee shop. One relationship is (perhaps) just getting started. And the other (perhaps) coming to a close. Will the younger couple learn from the example displayed by their elders or will they follow the married pairs mistakes instead. And who will pay the heavy price for the evenings final cup of joe, as what begins as a light domestic comedy slowly and surely drifts towards it darkly rewarding resolution.

    Two couples sit at separate tables in a coffee shop. One relationship is (perhaps) just getting started. And the other (perhaps) coming to a close. Will the younger couple learn from the example displayed by their elders or will they follow the married pairs mistakes instead. And who will pay the heavy price for the evenings final cup of joe, as what begins as a light domestic comedy slowly and surely drifts towards it darkly rewarding resolution.

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    You know a play is something special when it leaves you both laughing and shedding tears of genuine grief over an inanimate bowl of ice cream. This short Steven G. Martin spoof of the police procedural drama is just such a play. Officers Beck and Bull have just ten minutes to get their “witness” to spill the beans on an international criminal conspiracy or else their opportunity beat the mob may melt away like yesterday’s sundae. A tautly crafted (and delightfully tasty) absurdist treat..

    You know a play is something special when it leaves you both laughing and shedding tears of genuine grief over an inanimate bowl of ice cream. This short Steven G. Martin spoof of the police procedural drama is just such a play. Officers Beck and Bull have just ten minutes to get their “witness” to spill the beans on an international criminal conspiracy or else their opportunity beat the mob may melt away like yesterday’s sundae. A tautly crafted (and delightfully tasty) absurdist treat..

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    In the genre-busting “Priest Procedural”, two of the R.C.C.’s Finest play good cop/bad cop with a demon from the Stygian depths to save young girl’s soul. Greg Mandryk’s ear for stylistic dialogue and sharp sense of humor are put to good use in this relentless, farcical horror parody that barely gives the audience time to breathe between laughs. Who knew the unholy took their Java with almond milk? As original as it is funny.

    In the genre-busting “Priest Procedural”, two of the R.C.C.’s Finest play good cop/bad cop with a demon from the Stygian depths to save young girl’s soul. Greg Mandryk’s ear for stylistic dialogue and sharp sense of humor are put to good use in this relentless, farcical horror parody that barely gives the audience time to breathe between laughs. Who knew the unholy took their Java with almond milk? As original as it is funny.

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    Who creates monsters? We do, of course. Humanity. Society. Sometimes as grotesqueries. Sometimes in our own image. In “Monstrogenesis”, Georgia Xanthopoulou summons the mythic hybrid, the Minotaur, to challenge us directly as to why we as people need to invent such creatures. Is it really to explain that in the world which we do not understand? Or do perhaps we do it to defray the blame from our own monstrous natures? A true thought piece.

    Who creates monsters? We do, of course. Humanity. Society. Sometimes as grotesqueries. Sometimes in our own image. In “Monstrogenesis”, Georgia Xanthopoulou summons the mythic hybrid, the Minotaur, to challenge us directly as to why we as people need to invent such creatures. Is it really to explain that in the world which we do not understand? Or do perhaps we do it to defray the blame from our own monstrous natures? A true thought piece.

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    Be careful what you wish for. John so deeply misses his lost love Herb that we would do just about anything to bring him back. But when the opportunity arises, things do not turn out as planned; and John learns that just because you want something more than anything, that doesn’t make it right. There is a certain melancholy beauty to this short macabre two-hander that begs to be experienced. Love may conquer death, but should it?

    Be careful what you wish for. John so deeply misses his lost love Herb that we would do just about anything to bring him back. But when the opportunity arises, things do not turn out as planned; and John learns that just because you want something more than anything, that doesn’t make it right. There is a certain melancholy beauty to this short macabre two-hander that begs to be experienced. Love may conquer death, but should it?

  • Dan West: Ballad: A Two Character Play by Ken Love
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    In this intense, non-linear two-hander; a pair of dramatic stories unfold simultaneously. The first examines the origin and subsequent growth of a relationship between an aging man and his son-in-law; and the second, the turbulent life of an old-time gunslinger and the sons he trained to follow his violent footsteps. Both stories parallel as they explore themes or fidelity, honor, and betrayal to fantastic effect. A powerful elegy to intergenerational masculinity that pulls no punches.

    In this intense, non-linear two-hander; a pair of dramatic stories unfold simultaneously. The first examines the origin and subsequent growth of a relationship between an aging man and his son-in-law; and the second, the turbulent life of an old-time gunslinger and the sons he trained to follow his violent footsteps. Both stories parallel as they explore themes or fidelity, honor, and betrayal to fantastic effect. A powerful elegy to intergenerational masculinity that pulls no punches.

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  • Dan West: 'Twas the Morning of Christmas by Morey Norkin
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    Nobody’s perfect. Not even Santa. When the Jolly Old Elf is forced to backtrack his route to correct a delivery mix-up, he arrives just in time to be caught by one of the erroneous recipients. Will he be able to talk himself out of this jam before he falls victim to a brutal ladling? Will Susan and Doris receive their correctly assigned electronic devices. Is Dave from upstairs as big a creep as advertised? You will discover the answers to two of these questions in Morey Norkin’s wonderful short holiday play

    Nobody’s perfect. Not even Santa. When the Jolly Old Elf is forced to backtrack his route to correct a delivery mix-up, he arrives just in time to be caught by one of the erroneous recipients. Will he be able to talk himself out of this jam before he falls victim to a brutal ladling? Will Susan and Doris receive their correctly assigned electronic devices. Is Dave from upstairs as big a creep as advertised? You will discover the answers to two of these questions in Morey Norkin’s wonderful short holiday play

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  • Dan West: I THINK IT'S A WHALE by Jack Levine
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    When Winston Churchill first said “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it” I am sure he wasn’t thinking about whale watching from on board an ocean bound cruise ship. But as far as the short, absurdist Jack Levine comedy is concerned, he mays as well have been. When Burt and Barbara discover the truth behind the book she is reading about time loops, they discover that one of the true blessings of Deja Vu is the joy of getting to see your very first whale time after time after time.

    When Winston Churchill first said “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it” I am sure he wasn’t thinking about whale watching from on board an ocean bound cruise ship. But as far as the short, absurdist Jack Levine comedy is concerned, he mays as well have been. When Burt and Barbara discover the truth behind the book she is reading about time loops, they discover that one of the true blessings of Deja Vu is the joy of getting to see your very first whale time after time after time.

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  • Dan West: Helping Hand by John Busser
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    On April 8, 1938; two mysterious and remarkable beings plummeted to earth from the sky. One of them became the most famed superhero of our time. The second was locked away in a high-security location, seemingly inert and left to wait…for something. This is a story about the second of this beings.. A story of hope and faith and restoration. A downright remarkable story and incredibly well told. The wait is over and I am glad I was there to witness it.

    On April 8, 1938; two mysterious and remarkable beings plummeted to earth from the sky. One of them became the most famed superhero of our time. The second was locked away in a high-security location, seemingly inert and left to wait…for something. This is a story about the second of this beings.. A story of hope and faith and restoration. A downright remarkable story and incredibly well told. The wait is over and I am glad I was there to witness it.

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  • Dan West: One More Hot Garbage Sunrise by Aly Kantor
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    On a half-abandoned Earth well past the verge of climate meltdown, two adult sisters come together to mourn the passing of their recently deceased human mother and to discuss how soon that fate might be shared by their planetary one as well. As they debate the merits of staying put versus fleeing to the “the stars”, they soon discover that perhaps not all opportunities are created equal. A brilliantly drawn relationship piece that will leaving you pondering how much we all may be on the verge of losing as well.

    On a half-abandoned Earth well past the verge of climate meltdown, two adult sisters come together to mourn the passing of their recently deceased human mother and to discuss how soon that fate might be shared by their planetary one as well. As they debate the merits of staying put versus fleeing to the “the stars”, they soon discover that perhaps not all opportunities are created equal. A brilliantly drawn relationship piece that will leaving you pondering how much we all may be on the verge of losing as well.

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