Recommended by Claudia Haas

Last Words could be what goes through many people’s minds as they attend funerals and listen to eulogies that may not be terribly accurate. It’s irreverent humor at its best. Who wouldn’t beat up a sibling at a parent’s funeral to snare a Picasso? The asides of cancelled speakers are both icing and candles on the cake - and the cake that is this play is definitely devil’s food.

Sometimes you just need to talk it out. Gordon’s monologue weaves a tale of need, depression, friendship, and accepting help. As more and more theatres have festivals centered around mental health, this would be a welcome addition.

Oh no! I think I wrote a few of those. But without dog ears. Dog ears are always funny. Levine knows his ten-minute plays! If you want to know what not to write - read this. If you want to know what to write - read this. If you want to know anything about theatre, skip google and produce this.

Two generations. One loss explored by two women. Josephs gives us the price of war laid out for grieving. It is said that “men give all,” when they lose their life. Often it is forgotten that one can go on living but still have given “all.” Josephs gives us a woman with one foot firmly in the future and one who cannot fathom that future. They are tied together by duty, love, and war. There will never be a meeting of the minds. But Josephs gently explores reconciliation of the heart and the notion of hope after carnage.

Beautiful and heart-wrecking. LeBlanc does a beautiful job of showing us the father in the son which is gut-wrenching when the father cannot even see his son. Kindness permeates the script. There are no histrionics - just love. The love still connects the characters and will connect you to the script.

Goodness, reality - Mabey finds it all in this look at grief through love and spirituality. He brings out the best in what religion should do - no judgment and everlasting love.

This is just sublime silliness. Want to introduce youth to “film noir.” Here’s your ticket. Want to just have fun with a detective case - it’s here.

I dare you to read this without tearing up. Isolation and friendship are something we have now all experienced. But Hayet has upped the ante to a new level and he leaves you thinking about the human bond. And our need to connect. It’s a strong need.

An honest look at all we have been feeling during 2020 and beyond. Vovos has his characters teeter between the light-hearted banter of friends who are thrilled to be with each other to the emotional toll the year has taken on their lives. Anger, depression, hope and yearnings change with each of their footsteps. This is idea for radio, an outside venue as well as in a theatre. Audiences will relate to the characters every step of the way.

I love unsung heroines. Miller has fashioned a monologue of a determined teen on a mission to do the right thing regardless of who thinks otherwise. The Revolutionary times are vividly captured and a young actress would have a grand experience diving into this monologue. It’s perfect as an audition piece or in an evening featuring female heroines.