Recommended by Claudia Haas

This is just deliciously theatrical. O’Neill-Butler knows her fellow thespians and then some. An homage to all those who have done time with divas and have learned a thing or two about “how to handle a diva.” And a good time was had by all. Which lest we forget is one of the purposes of theatre.

The tension starts at the beginning and Bernadine never lets up. A look at a world that exists which we prefer not to see centering on young people that exist - that their families prefer not to see. It’s a devastating look at the mental health crisis affecting teens today and a look at their few options. Smartly written and highly theatrical, Bernadine sends us on a journey where the destination remains an unknown.

One might think this is the silliest reaction to a spider on the ceiling or - you might be me. From the assignments of ‘I Spy” to the stripping and then the saran wrapping, I was with the characters all the way - willing them to get rid of that ruthless spider. But the ending - oh my - Uhter takes arachnophobia to the highest level possible and I could not cope. If spiders creep you out, read at your own peril. (And then produce it. Come on, how many spider farces are out there?).

Confession: I am a fan of the Bard’s Midsummer play. So shoot me. New confession: this may be my favorite version of herbs, lovers, and what happens when we go into the woods. Silly alternates with clever and the 1600’s happily meld with the present to create delight. And no, you don’t need to know Midsummer to have a rollicking good time. Mansfield gives you all you need for a delightful rendition of summer loving.

Conversations can work. If both parties are listening. I’ve seen it firsthand and I am gratified to see it here. Ellen Davis Sullivan dishes up a confrontation that can go terribly wrong and then turns it around as some true listening begins. Want to find common ground? That play simple says, “talk to each other.” Maybe this should be on the evening news.

Yes, left review on Plumridge’s page but needed a turn at a Morey.
I did not take the advice of the playwrights and I sang a lot of lyrics. A ton. Too many. Don’t sing the song lyrics! And don’t feed the plants. Or you will be as demented as Plumridge and Norkin. Hmmm… Plumridge and Norkin - sounds like a couple of P.I.’s. Or could they be the newest composer/lyricist in town? If so, a plag(iarize) on their houses! Read this at your own peril. Best viewed with pie.

I did not take the advice of the playwrights and I sang a lot of lyrics. A ton. Too many. Don’t sing the song lyrics. Don’t feed the plants. Or you will be as demented as Plumridge and Norkin. Hmmm… Plumridge and Norkin - sounds like a couple of P.I.’s. Or could they be the newest composer/lyricist in town? If so, a plag(iarize) on their houses! Read this at your own peril. Best viewed with pie.

I know for a fact these conversations have happened. Sometimes with the same outcome. Sometimes with another. Martin does a beautiful job of conveying grief and compassion with few words. The title (and action) speaks volumes.

“There are a lot of ways to channel your anger. Me? I write.” And Palmquist does - gloriously and passionately. I am a fan of Palmquist’s work as well as a serious Lake-Superior-addict. The careful melding of science and how to inform an unscientific public drew me in and would not let go. Palmquist gives us the mystique of this great lake along with its sign posts to climate change. There’s a celebration of winter here coupled with an alarm that will haunt you. Theatres: produce this now. Minnesota theatres: this is a gift for you.

Syran has created a treasure trove for those who work with elementary school actors (and many of the tales would work well in middle schools). As someone who taught theatre in Grades 1-5 for fifteen years, this anthology would have been my go-to book. The tales are witty, with strong characters that young people can wrap themselves around. Her clever use of mixing in nursery rhymes and various children’s songs into the mix will delight those onstage and in the audience. If you do theatre with young people, you need this book.