Recommended by Claudia Haas

To quote a somewhat famous musical, “Who tells your story?” In his very witty little ditty, the “ugly duckling” decides that the Narrator (man-who-will-not-shut-up) is not really telling her story and she is control of her narrative. This is a delicious gem for middle school audiences and actors. Hageman does not demonize any of the characters so it becomes a safety net to talk about all of the characters, their stereotypes, their reasons for being. There’s a lot for youth to safely explore in this one act.

This is a conversation happening everywhere. And while it may seem that these conversations are new to this generation, Carnes gently inserts a narrative suggesting these conversations should have started many generations ago. The play moves urgently to a new place bring bringing new understanding to mother and daughter. And to audiences.

"This is awful." "This is art." And so we have Eleanor Roosevelt, Superhero/Vigilante who wields a big axe - wait! Make that two of them. As movies continue to "improve" history because history is boring, this play is a delightful reminder that truth and accuracy can indeed garner an audience. (Ask Ken Burns about that.) Visual, silly with an undercurrent of truth, the play offers up three delicious roles for actors.

I never saw anything coming. I was on my toes - laughing and waiting for what Plummer has dreamed up next. And she has dreamed up plenty. This seemingly "little dinner play" offers up a feast. Every role is a gem. Every twist will keep audiences riveted.

I want to play Tree #1 so badly after reading this play. But maybe not a MacIntosh. Maybe a Honeycrisp. So maybe Tree #2. "There are no small parts" etc. has risen to a new level as Hayet deftly balances the delicate ego of teens with their surprises and slyness. This should be acted out before every first reading of a school play.

What I wouldn't give to see this staged. Screwball comedy has met its match. For fun, I went back and reread at it a breakneck speed trying to imagine all the hijinks, noises and "passing of the curse" happening faster than the speed of light. Need a break from reality? Runed is your ticket to laughter.

Potango meets Troutrock. Potango ignores Troutrock, Potango shares a milkshake with Troutrock. What an absolutely perfect play for middle school students to watch and perform. It has enough irreverent humor to draw them in but its base is solid. There's no preaching. No messaging. Just a forlorn potango (child of a potato and a flamingo) and a cast of characters that you just may know. And if you don't know them yet, you'll want to. For the record, I am not surprised that grapes have a mean streak.

What a beautiful play about family and moving through the stages of your life. Through the lens of a multi-generational Italian family, we are part of their sorrows and joys. We witness children grow up and start the cycle again. There's a lot of sly humor and it is gratifying to see the families build on each other. The play both tickled me and kept me invested in all the characters. It's a grand vehicle for actors, directors and designers. I will keep looking for it at theatres near me.

What a beautiful, touching play without any of the stereotypical traits reserved for our elders. I have been fascinated by the fact that crows bring gifts to people and Lawing has found a unique and poignant story to illustrate this. As the three characters work on what is later? What is heaven? How does one age - all the right notes are struck. A play about hope, moving on, family and giving.

The play's a delightful unexpected romance - because you never know what or who will be romantic. You never know what intentions can turn sweet. You never know what goes on between two people. The play manages to accomplish two things: sparkling, champagne dialogue mixed with the undercurrent of a real need for love and connection. It's funny, it's poignant, it's a valentine to young love.