Recommended by Claudia Haas

A play about nuts may seem nuts but a play about cashews can lead to the breakdown of society or saving of the world. It’s all nuts in the end but it surprises. Think about it the next time you are confronted with a large bowl of mixed nuts.

A memory play that defies all that became before. Poignant, possible, probable, and loving. How much can you love? Lockheardt gives you an actual wonderful surprise.

Sweet: just a touch absurd and all so possible if you wish hard enough. Vovos has taken a simple return and elevated it Into magic. The hint of darkness underlying it makes it all more enchanted.

You will think twice about that stuffed animal your dog takes everywhere, or the blood lust that dogs have for squirrels or the false documentation your cat has arranged for you … or … any truth you have ever been told about man’s best friend. “ Burdick delivers some truths here that can be traumatizing or laugh out loud silly. What a great opportunity for actors to get physical. (Read the play before you judge that statement.)

This will leave you wanting more. I love the possibilities in “park bench plays” and nobody offers more “possibles” than O’Neill-Butler. She hands you a heart-warming story, a mystery, and family dysfunction all on a silver platter … okay on a bench. What grand roles for senior actors who may be tired of the Alzheimers theme.

Plumridge had me at DeBears Diamond Exhibition. The aerial dance and the dastardly diamond displacers were icing on the cake. But the cherry on top was the Vampire Bears are Forever song. I hope vampire bears are forever. Because this one has a permanent place in my heart. Even if he is full of stuffing.

This is Lermond doing what Lermond does so beautifully - finding the hope in humanity. You learn so much briefly, and
immediately start to care and hope with this couple. It’s theatre reminding us that “that there but for the grace of God go I.” It’s theatre reminding us to hope.

There’s a new spin on “the devil made me do it” and Baker is solely responsible for the connection and laughs. If you ever thought mind-numbing tv commercials and wacky billboards were from the devil, read this. And remember, the devil is a master in disguise. He could be hot. Really, really hot.

Barna goes for the red and/or the blue and finds the purple. Good vs evil? Ohh… a bit muddy. What should be all sunshine and apple trees may be something else. The play leans heavily on choice and well … it’s something to think about these days. The audience may think they know where the play is going but I am betting there will be a hush at the end. Produce it and wait for it.

Unflinching, achingly honest, Williams has given the audience a gift. A gift of love - warts and all because that is a true relationship. And a gift of love that transcends the spiritual and the natural world. It’s a remembrance and a reality that memories can be fractured but they do not fade. They continue. And in Middleton’s case, the memory of love still shines.