Recommended by Claudia Haas

A remembrance of a tragic heroine who returns as a guidepost to young teens in the thrall of love … or lust. Filled with the pangs of youthful choices, Desdemona has some advice for young women. Would be fun to see Lermond do a collection of these pieces. Interesting how Desdemona’s fate is an indicator of so many of Shakespeare’s heroines. Shakespeare would especially love the last line.

Plastic surgery, move on. There’s a new kid in town to fix your non-chiseled jaw in half the price. A new look at something we don’t see enough of - the struggles of males to conform to Hollywood versions of masculinity. Lots of surprises here with a good dash of honesty.

Caveat: I am a sucker for time travel. That said, nothing is at it seems and yes, ‘skim milk masquerades as cream.’ Mullen has woven a tale that makes you investigate your own choices as you witness choices made by Beth. With humor, heart, and instinctive choices, Mullen delivers a play that keeps you guessing and wishing.

Bray bridges connections, relationships, and ideas into a beautiful braid. The yearnings of youth mixed with the brightness of untold possibilities and the fears of the possible make for a stirring combination. An engaging and original play ripe for productions.

This should be required reading/viewing along with the Frosty’s and Rudolph’s that dominate our tv screens in December. Put it with Santaland Diaries. Use it as an alternative to Christmas Carol. Clever and snowy-fun - nothing says “Merry Christmas” more than solving the murder of Frosty-the-Snowman (who by all accounts had ice in his veins). A December delight “in the land of perpetual midnight.”

Food is personal. It’s connecting. It’s sharing. Together. Wang brings it together as a job opportunity turns into sharing a meal. That’s a huge jump and only breaking bread with another person can make that leap. Wang’s leap makes you crave more.

Whoa! Lawing bites the bullet and delivers a play that will take your audience from laughter to absolute silence - which is as it should be. “Ripped from the headlines,” this play has might and bite and and many uncomfortable (inconvenient?) truths.

Sometimes a glazed doughnut is just a glazed doughnut - one of the many pronouncements of truth in Norkin’s play. And sometimes - well, in the scheme of things, “sometimes” doesn’t matter. Something may happen. Anything may happen. Or not. Which is refreshing.

Love is explored. Ignored and explored again. Karp does a lovely job of exploring the complex emotions of what a person has been taught and what they really feel.

I am prejudiced and think every play should begin with looking at the stars. Partain’s play looks at the stars and find worlds that our emotions beg for. In a world that shifts as teens do, Partain gives us slices of life grounded in love, regret, and hope. My wish is that all young performers can experience this play - both onstage and in the audience.