Recommended by Claudia Haas

History repeats. And history is scary. Carnes play gives us a look at a possible future firmly rooted in the past, present, and future. Any of the characters could be us. Some of the characters are us. A play rooted in a fluid time and space. A play rooted in our future. A play to be produced so the reality sinks in.

A gorgeous remembrance of love. Holding on, letting go… Szudrich finds all the elements that make up a relationship - past and present.

Hoax is a conversation I suspect many of us have had. There’s a fine line that is walked here and Lamedman does a fine job not crossing into stereotypical behavior. It’s a conversation that will likely not bear fruit but needs to be stated again and again. Actresses have a lot to work with in this short play and who knows? It may spark conversations in the audience.

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.

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.