Recommended by Claudia Haas

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    Right away I was drawn into, "Who is Veronica?" "Who is this mysterious man?" What did she do or he do? What does he want? I followed Weaver down the rabbit hole and when the lights finally came up - I was astonished. Weaver gives us a past - that is maybe not reliable and a present that is maybe broken with a tale that makes you wondering long after the play ends.

    Right away I was drawn into, "Who is Veronica?" "Who is this mysterious man?" What did she do or he do? What does he want? I followed Weaver down the rabbit hole and when the lights finally came up - I was astonished. Weaver gives us a past - that is maybe not reliable and a present that is maybe broken with a tale that makes you wondering long after the play ends.

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    I saw a delightful production of this at Threshold Theatre Company in Minneapolis. Bleeding walls and dead animals may not be the first thing that come to mind with “delightful” but somehow it is. Castle layers spookiness and laughter on top of one another until you think it must be absurd. But it never is. It’s always within the realm of possibility. Castle mixes horror with family love and the two work together in an other-wordly delight.

    I saw a delightful production of this at Threshold Theatre Company in Minneapolis. Bleeding walls and dead animals may not be the first thing that come to mind with “delightful” but somehow it is. Castle layers spookiness and laughter on top of one another until you think it must be absurd. But it never is. It’s always within the realm of possibility. Castle mixes horror with family love and the two work together in an other-wordly delight.

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    I was privileged to be at Threshold Theatre to see “Crater” beautifully performed. Things are seldom what they seem and so it is with Crater - and so it is with love. Past imperfect, future unknown, Sickles knows how to toy with our heartstrings and make us laugh and gasp at the same time. But is is the heart of the matter - the crater - that exemplifies how suddenly love can make its mark. Will we witness it or skirt around it? A play about seeking the past as we look to the future.

    I was privileged to be at Threshold Theatre to see “Crater” beautifully performed. Things are seldom what they seem and so it is with Crater - and so it is with love. Past imperfect, future unknown, Sickles knows how to toy with our heartstrings and make us laugh and gasp at the same time. But is is the heart of the matter - the crater - that exemplifies how suddenly love can make its mark. Will we witness it or skirt around it? A play about seeking the past as we look to the future.

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    Buttons and asbestos and blizzards are a heady combination. This goes everywhere and anywhere which is where we need to be right now. Thank you to Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend for making me think all things are possible, that Hallmark could have an edge, and there’s a holiday play waiting for me on the other side. With hot chocolate for those who celebrate.

    Buttons and asbestos and blizzards are a heady combination. This goes everywhere and anywhere which is where we need to be right now. Thank you to Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend for making me think all things are possible, that Hallmark could have an edge, and there’s a holiday play waiting for me on the other side. With hot chocolate for those who celebrate.

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    The perfect shot ... the perfect word. The timing. Too many syllables? Two minutes until the shot. Can you see what you're writing up close? Is she standing too close? The momentum builds. The clock ticks. And the combination of creating and obliterating "hits" home. A moving and utterly theatrical piece that mesmerizes.

    The perfect shot ... the perfect word. The timing. Too many syllables? Two minutes until the shot. Can you see what you're writing up close? Is she standing too close? The momentum builds. The clock ticks. And the combination of creating and obliterating "hits" home. A moving and utterly theatrical piece that mesmerizes.

  • Claudia Haas: Erstwhile by Mike Byham
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    When I wasn't worrying about the future of entertainment, I was laughing. When I wasn't worrying about Jamie nailing his audition, I was laughing. Byham manages to strike both comedy gold and terror in my (erstwhile?) theatrical heart. A play for all seasons.

    When I wasn't worrying about the future of entertainment, I was laughing. When I wasn't worrying about Jamie nailing his audition, I was laughing. Byham manages to strike both comedy gold and terror in my (erstwhile?) theatrical heart. A play for all seasons.

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  • Claudia Haas: Erstwhile (short) by David Hilder
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    David Hilder takes you on a ride where you are wishing for something but find your wish upended so you wish for something else and that again changes. In the end, you are left wishing that this period piece wasn't as relevant today as it was back then. The world spins and I am left wishing it moved at a kinder pace.

    David Hilder takes you on a ride where you are wishing for something but find your wish upended so you wish for something else and that again changes. In the end, you are left wishing that this period piece wasn't as relevant today as it was back then. The world spins and I am left wishing it moved at a kinder pace.

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  • Claudia Haas: Erstwhile by Brent Alles
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    Lights, camera, action, old lady at party… the evolution of an actress. Maybe it’s real. Maybe it’s a bonafide Peter-Fonda-Joint-haze but it is definitely pure Hollywood. And what is Hollywood but an erstwhile spin in the past that thinks it’s reinventing itself but stays on its tried and true road of subterfuge, spin and discarding aging actresses. Wicked, funny and current, the play delves into Hollywood’s erstwhile history and its future. .

    Lights, camera, action, old lady at party… the evolution of an actress. Maybe it’s real. Maybe it’s a bonafide Peter-Fonda-Joint-haze but it is definitely pure Hollywood. And what is Hollywood but an erstwhile spin in the past that thinks it’s reinventing itself but stays on its tried and true road of subterfuge, spin and discarding aging actresses. Wicked, funny and current, the play delves into Hollywood’s erstwhile history and its future. .

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  • Claudia Haas: THE QUEST FOR NORMALCY (a fifteen minute play) by Marj O'Neill-Butler
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    O’Neill-Butler thrusts you into the heart of the play and never stops. What is “normal?” You realize that every student’s “normal” may not be what Polly and Bobby are experiencing, but there are many variations of it. As they ponder that thought, they start to connect and their connection could have far-reaching effects. O’Neill-Butler doesn’t give us a guarantee. But through these kids, she offers hope.

    O’Neill-Butler thrusts you into the heart of the play and never stops. What is “normal?” You realize that every student’s “normal” may not be what Polly and Bobby are experiencing, but there are many variations of it. As they ponder that thought, they start to connect and their connection could have far-reaching effects. O’Neill-Butler doesn’t give us a guarantee. But through these kids, she offers hope.

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  • Claudia Haas: Erstwhile by Jacquelyn Floyd-Priskorn
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    Almost everyone will go through this - the packing of belongings of a parent - whether they have passed or moving to a care home and at some point will relate to this family. There is a beauty in this piece (and a new word for beautiful) because this is a loving family so each memory, every object is infused with pain and joy. A scrabble game and little notes with “erstwhile” are so telling and personal, one wants to hug each character and give them light. You know them. You care for them.

    Almost everyone will go through this - the packing of belongings of a parent - whether they have passed or moving to a care home and at some point will relate to this family. There is a beauty in this piece (and a new word for beautiful) because this is a loving family so each memory, every object is infused with pain and joy. A scrabble game and little notes with “erstwhile” are so telling and personal, one wants to hug each character and give them light. You know them. You care for them.

    ”