Recommended by Claudia Haas

Erb’s exploration of friendship has no bounds. The use of a piece of art for controversy is what art is for. An in-depth look at how friendship changes through the ages - warts and all - is a welcome exploration of growth in friendship - even when it’s painful. A lovely female centric play for theatres and audiences.

A gentle, heartfelt, and funny remembrance of a well-loved furball. Priskorn knows cats, grief, purrs and the bonds we have with our furry family members. A few tears were shed reading this. And a few smiles also occurred. A gem for two actors and time well spent for an audience.

First, yes, I am a fan of Szymkowicz’s writing. I could hear the various voices as Szymkowicz moved from scene to scene. A Life - indeed several variations of a life are portrayed here. The playwright delves deep into thoughts - thoughts that are universal. Thoughts we have all had - and the question is - what do you do with them? And this is where Szymkowicz has a very good answer. An answer where attention must be paid. Moving, theatrical and poignant.

Sweet, poignant and memorable, Cuthbert takes relativity and makes it relative. A time travel tale as old as time and as new as today, I was surprised and delighted, sad and hopeful. I love that Cuthbert leaves me with hope. Original and yearning, it’s a play about family that leaves you wanting more.

Reality check for actresses. Imagine studying the classics and when you leave school, get an agent, and you’re still cute as all-get-out, but all your auditions consist of “cute girl in the third row.” Morgan skewers tentative actress friendships, casting calls and the life of an actress that you may deem satire but actresses will yell “truth.” This is such a good introduction to theatre for female university students. Fun with a touch of the scary. Ominous with a touch of the silly.

A beautiful rendering of a child’s anxiety and how it feeds and festers. Puppetry creates both an arena of safety and menace as “Charley” navigates tricky territory trying to befriend someone new. The world can be a puzzle for young people and Lofredo pieces together a poignant tale of overcoming fear to become a friend.

We live in a world where innuendo soon becomes fact and LaValle cleverly makes this come alive. Or kicks the life out of it. The inter-weaving of truth with fiction and speculation is both clever and absurd. One thing is certain, eavesdropping can be an amazing sport. Audiences would love to be in on this “private conversation.”

Lang’s evocative, nuanced play shows us that memory may be imperfect for some but a memory of trauma is real to all. Denial, acceptance, wishing it away are all devices to try and heal. But Lang proves that healing is not easy. It comes at a cost. But that doesn’t mean one shouldn’t strive to cope, understand and try to pickup the pieces. The language is teen-speak, the reality is raw and the play unveils truths that should be heard.

Can the past create hope for the future! Are there soulmates? Rose creates a grand sweeping story in a short one act that speaks of love, redemption and what is everlasting. Not a small feat for a large and expansive play.

You’ll never look at the Ghost in Hamlet the same way again. Same goes for Hamlet, an audition, a Shakespeare quote. I could go on. Let’s just say Preuss’s play is life-altering. In the most wickedly, funny way.