Recommended by Claudia Haas

Kaplan explores grief and relationships in many forms. With many powerful moments laced with humor, the characters take you on a journey that is both challenging and welcoming. Original and insightful, the play will stay with you for many moons.

Lermond has the gift of taking a slice of life we can all relate to and infuse it with humanity, compassion and surprises. This is a nice change from the “merry merry” and “fa la las” of the season. And a reminder that tradition is nice, but continuing to evolve is pretty special, too.

As a Minnesotan, I have been to too many of those parties. Without names, Weaver gives us a specific assortment of characters reacting to both the New Year and the icy cold. It’s a warm ride but with icicles. And somehow, it embodies all that a coming year will bring. Audiences will shiver and smile and welcome in the new.

Martin and Cathro are delighting our young audiences with all creatures great and small. They will have children leaving the theatre saying, “pretty purple pickles please” and giggling through it all. The visuals are vibrant and fun and the tale is within the scope and grasp of pre-schoolers through second grade.

Variety is the spice of Christmas. Hoke gives us an assortment of Santas, merry cheer, and an unexpected twist perfect for the season. It’s a fine way to end 2022.

I “hear” there is a drinking game associated with Christmas tv movies. Every time a stereotypical Christmas moment happens, you take a shot. That would be a dangerous game to play with Vinero’s Christmas-latte-confection. You would be inebriated five minutes into the play. Vinero hits all the Hallmark-trope-frosting-covered-elf moments with sprinkles on top. If the sugars of the season are leaving you jumpy, the antidote is right here. Read it! Better yet, produce it.

A play that seems to go down the caregiver road - and doesn’t. A play that may explore dementia and does and doesn’t. A play about the human condition that ties a knot in your expectations. Loss, future, AI meet and do a new dance. A great take on an old theme.

The mother-daughter relationship is laid bare by Goldman-Sherman. It’s about everything except what they talk about. It’s about nothing except what they talk about. Is anything more personal than food and hugs? Insightful, true, and sweet.

I am rooting for these two so much. It may not look good but if you meet at a baby shower and carry immense amounts of heartbreak water on your back, it needs to count for something. A unique take on relationships, showers, and how to find a parked car. I hope it’s at a theatre near me soon.

A true rom-com - gentle, poignant, and funny. Sickles avoids the stereotypes usually assigned to senior characters. Bonus: you may view American History in a whole, new light. In a world that can use some extra love, Sickles delivers it.