Recommended by Claudia Haas

Friendship lost and found and lost again? Found again? Who knows? And who knows with any relationships? Weeks gives us hints about this quirky twosome and then you are left to fill in the blanks which is great fun. People evolve. Friendships evolve. People need each other. And then they don’t and then they do again. The Duke and His Visitor gives us entertaining and true insights into what it means to be human.

We’ve all been one. And if we’re lucky - 2. And more. The sparseness of the numbers belie the swelling emotions that grow as numbers increase and decrease. A beautiful rendering of family - lost and found.

Oh those volleys - they land and cajole. They miss and taunt. And what you are left with is a tennis match between old friends who have everything to prove and nothing to prove - except that their friendship endures. The world spins optimistically in Wang’s play and that is cause for celebration.

I do agree that olives are better than beans on a Christmas tree. I also agree with so many that this is an honest, sweet tale of friendship - no matter what the day. It’s the most wonderful gift of all.

Poignant, funny, and specific, Szymkowicz captures teenspeak beautifully at a time when speaking is difficult. While we get a sense of who Julie was, we also get a nuanced look at all of the characters. The remembrances are so specific, we can figure out their relationship to Julie and their relationship to themselves.

Characters who take the time to listen, loneliness unburdened, grief finally shared - a beautiful play highlighting what it is to be human. Rough Waters will stir your memory and help you offer gratitude for what is good in life.

So, yes it is absolutely absurd. And absolutely so true to life, you will cry. Vovos nails the “trying to carry on in a pandemic” as if everything was normal. And that’s what’s absurd. Funny and poignant, this play is timely and everlasting.

A lot of wishes are made when you read this. Can everyone be happy? Unlikely. Can father and daughter keep their bond? Fingers crossed.

It’s an original reminiscent of The Gift of the Magi - but with plumbing jokes. It’s sweeter than the short story (it’s possible), sillier (definitely possible), and a perfect fit for the holidays. Lermond’s knack for quick dialogue and characters bursting with humanity just shine.

There is so much to recommend here. I love how the play moves seamlessly back and forth in time. And I love-love (because English does not have enough variations on the word “love”), the use of other languages’ and cultures’ variations on the word “love.” The play is sweet without being cloying and a welcome respite from our chaotic, divided times.