Recommended by Claudia Haas

It’s always been my belief that a recipe from the past can turn you into a time-traveller. Carnes does this beautifully - connecting us to WW2 London, today’s USA, and the search for a star two thousand years ago - all in less than ten minutes. A play filled with love and a confection - perfect for all year but especially warming in cold December.

In a short walk around the neighborhood, Minigan gives us a window into the world we are currently living in. Two neighbors of different generations note their new fears and manage to couple them with hope. New paths need to be forged. Is it possible?

Malakhow tackles (and succeeds!) in addressing a myriad of issues. Online forums are helpful but humans need contact. Humans need to look into each other face-to-face without a screen. And the road to recovery from addiction doesn’t have a clear ending. We meet these characters after they have “recovered” and Malakhow explores how rocky and tenuous the recovery road is. Theatrical, poignant, and nuanced, this play will keep you rooting for his characters long after the curtain comes down.

Tale as old as time: Mother wants to plan daughter’s wedding. What could be trite does not and you are gifted with a twisty, smiley, zoom-filled finish. The fact that relationships are seldom what they seem adds to the fun in this spirited play.

Sweetness and ice fishing tied up in string - this play is one of my favorite things. (Written by someone who has gone ice fishing.)

An exploration into sexuality - a kiss - a once upon-a-time relationship. Cathro doesn’t give answers. But rather explores a friendship and where it could gave gone, should have gone or would never have gone - if only people talked back then. Lovely and exciting two-hander for two women.

I come to Martin for a playwright who has mastered the one minute play. So hard. Martin gives us in one scant minute a need for help and a helper. And hope.

What a delightful afternoon tea with a person you likely know. Levine puts the “cheer” in Christmas and supplies us with a whole lot of “merry.” And what’s Christmas without a few mishaps? A cup of tea was never so much fun.

From the astonishing description of Hugh’s bible right through the speedy prayer, Martin gives us an adolescent in turmoil and pain in a scant 10 seconds. Don’t be fooled by the brevity of the pice. There’s a lot at stake here.

A few teaspoons of whimsy, one heaping cup of yearnings and then just a dash of reality and you have a play that has you thinking “if only.” Followed by, “I wish.” For all you wishers out there, this is for you. A charmer from start to finish.