Recommended by Matthew Weaver

"Actual carpet is unnecessary." A pause to reflect on relationships, particularly the downside, in the midst of a depressing setting, and it's glorious to watch Goldman-Sherman work. Her words come forth like poetry - the motel desk clerk, the cheating husband, the woman who decides maybe she doesn't want to help him cheat. All as familiar as a heartbeat, but told in the style only Goldman-Sherman can. The characters don't apologize for their sadness, no. They own it. And they hope for a better outcome the next time around. Moving, smart, sad, funny and tremendously heartfelt.

Just lovely, all around. Women stir up longheld secrets and past heartaches as they plan an LGBTQ prom for the kids today. This would be a powerhouse for any performers, especially those who know how to play years of history with a few carefully-crafted words. Each of these characters would be fun to spend time with, even the ones who behave badly. Everybody gets a moment to shine, everyone gets a moment to lay her heart out, fully exposed - gifts from a loving creator with clear and genuine affection for her characters. A warm embrace through and through.

Irresistible! Hiett offers strong roles, particularly for two 70something actresses, and a story that feels like a classic. Nobody is completely right nor completely wrong in this tale of a Harper Lee-ish novelist, and the playwright resists resorting to the expected characterizations, favoring instead complicated, flawed heroines and heroes, which is infinitely more interesting and clever. As I read, I kept contacting local actresses in my area to let them know that this was simply a script they had to read. A powerhouse play for powerhouse performers ... rearrange your theatrical schedule to make room for a production, pronto.

A playwright who devises a monologue for a first-time actor's index finger is something to be treasured, I'm sure you'll agree. Wyndham perfectly captures the wonder of youth as our hero the earthworm pokes its head above ground for the very first time to experience the world. Butterfly kisses and big scary birds! Wow! Wyndham again offers a wholly original and unique perspective that is unapologetically his own, as evidenced by this note: "The script is in Comic Sans. Adult reader: I don’t care if you have a problem with that." Adult reader, I applauded.

DINO KID is my personal favorite of Wyndham's monologues, but he gives it a real run for its money with TURTLE KID. Had me from the opening description of a kid in a Ninja Turtle costume. Who among us hasn't felt so moved to extremes to the cause of saving one of nature's own, and who hasn't experienced the heartache when those actions are greeted with thoughtless conduct? Wyndham gives us the gift of Turtle Kid's grief AND hope. Turtle Kid's presentation isn't always without technical difficulty - darn megaphone - but that's just what makes it so perfect.

Gonzalez runs through the uncomfortable truths of the announcement that a baby is coming, under less than ideal financial circumstances. The Woman wants it, the Man ... reacts poorly. At first. An unflinching look at the moment when the world changes and two people find themselves on the precipice of the rest of their lives, with all of the questions and uncertainties that arise. An opportunity for two very strong performers to shine, particularly whoever brings Woman to life. An honest exploration of the ways we break the hearts of those we love. And try to put them together again.

Shakespearean fun! Sickles lets the literary references fly as these brothers try to maneuver the intricacies of their brand-new relationship. Sickles takes Gideon and Augie to unexpected places, finding strong humor and lots of heart as each asks what the other's existence means to him. A gentle, delightful showcase for two talented performers who will have a fine old time bouncing off of one another.

Quite possibly the most moving play about a sock monkey EVER. Hageman does a wonderful job of giving us a couple audiences will fall in love with. Tim and Rebecca support each other even while their hearts are breaking. Love that Tim listens to and respects Rebecca when she says she needs a moment to be pissed off at him. Full of her signature wit and charm, Hageman makes us laugh and cry, often in the exact same precise moment. Tender and emotional, certain to have audience members leave in the midst of their own thoughtful reflections and discussions.

A triumph. Sizzling, searing satire; infuriating drama. Jost hangs public officials out to dry WITH THEIR OWN DAMN WORDS. A marvelous, ingenious blend of reality, puppetry, farce and malarkey, with Jost serving as ringleader - holding up educational atrocities left and right, begging for an audience to pay attention and ask the question: "What the hell is wrong with these people? What the hell is wrong with US that we let it go this far?" I expect to see this on all of the winner's lists. Produce the hell out of it, over and over, until we see change.

Show this play to your so-called problem kids. Show this play to the people who teach your problem kids. Show this play to the people who come into contact with your problem kids. Show this play to the parents of problem kids. Hageman gets it. She GETS IT. In spades. She gives Dean a Lucy, but shows that that isn't the exact answer; there are no easy answers. A story laden with empathy and honesty and kindness in the face of genuine adversity. May all of our young people be so lucky as to come into contact with this play.