Recommended by Claudia Haas

How can a love story be both horrific and endearing? Sickles manages it. As the story emerges, one gets a sense of sadness, fright, and sweetnesses. The notion of dreams becoming obsessions stays with you after the play is over. How do you discard dreams? What do you do with them when night is done and they served their purpose? With fluid casting, the play has many arcs to be explored and all would fascinate.

There is sweetness and heart here. And you know - I was a believer. A believer in magic. A believer in things can change. Read it and become a believer.

Well, doggone it! This is one of the punniest... that would be funniest, delightful plays for young people that I have come across in a long while. Young performers will have plenty to chew on in this madcap mystery featuring man's best friends. And for cat lovers, there is plenty of catitude to sink your teeth into. Fast-paced and filled with silly and sweet, this play is a welcome addition to the canon of new plays for young people. It's truly "Best in Show" Read it. Produce it.

I can hear the waves and breathe in the dead fish. I’m with Cecelia - sometimes you need the mermaids. Maybe we always need mermaids. But at least there’s the tide. A beautiful, understated play that leaves you hoping and wishing that Cecelia gets her mermaid.

You may think science is boring ... until you find yourself getting sucked into a black hole. Suddenly, it’s not so boring. It’s exciting. It’s ... deadly. The play has it all: end-of-the-world conflict and two roles for young actors that are beyond the usual pale. Come on schools, do it.

You need a feral child in your life - more specifically you need this feral child. The play is a vacation from the world into absolute silliness. There is a scene (no spoiler - read it) between Mary and Victor about where to have their "discussion" and I had to read it again out loud because it was so enjoyable. Cleverly inserted homages to various plays pop out and Higbee's not above peppering the script with groaners. When Mary interjects some "Jungle Princess" (with many more s's and fewer letters) wisdom, it hit home. Produce it. And rescue some wildlife.

Beautiful play with a transgender character that defies political correctness. It’s all well and good until it defies our own needs. Thoughtful and nuanced.

This is a sweet whisper of a play. Romantic, suspicious, and what you wish for if you’ve ever had a cell-phone fender-bender. Yes, there are accidents and yes, you want them resolved this way.

A beautiful and heart-stopping anatomy of both friendship, marriage and collaboration. It’s spare and unsparing. Gonzalez pays homage to a play that came before but has his own voice in the subject of betrayal, art and the nuances of love. A layered play which gives so much to all the artists involved.

Idaszak delves into a subject unique to our times - internet trolling. She provides no comfortable answers but instead makes you question knee-jerk reactions to the bad and the ugly or just insensitive statuses. Passing judgement from your easy chair has never been easier. When do you stay quiet? And if you make noise, is it to bolster your own “ratings?” With compassion for all, Idaszak opens up a Pandora’s box of questions and the audience gets to think long and hard about the answers. Thoughtful and nuanced, it’s a perfect fit for young people.