Recommended by Claudia Haas

A nursery rhyme for our times. The digital age has changed dating as evidenced in the play. Even if you vow to take a break and unplug, it follows you - even into the clouds. A delightfully quirky play perfect for festivals about romance, disconnect, millennials and tech. Beware: you cannot escape the tech monster.

This has to be one of the more ironic play titles I've met with thus far. What starts out as a sardonic, black comedy involving consumerism takes a very poignant turn. We meet two workers whose job is to fulfill Christmas dreams - think Santa's elves. But one "elf" (Mimi) is literally at the end of her rope and the other "elf" Alex becomes her cheerleader and ultimately her savior. This would be a grand addition to holiday-themed festivals. Bonus: you'll think before you order more "stuff."

Momma mia! Twelve Dancing Princesses meets Tomie dePaola meets a Unification of Italy history lesson with some magic and an invisible cloak thrown in and you get a family-friendly play that pleases all. There is something for all ages: dancing, love, farce, disguises, word play, biscotti and a fight scene that keeps you guessing. This is fast-moving and captivating for young audiences. Designers too will have a field day.

Oh the ties that bind. There's a hurricane brewing outside a cabin and inside, family members are fighting their own personal hurricanes. This family drama highlights the challenges of diverse family dynamics without eliminating the love and care that makes blood relations such a human puzzle. We love, we lose, we fight, we anguish, and then amazingly - we love again. The sudden appearance of wildlife at crucial moments highlights awareness of our relationship with the natural world and how it informs our relationships to others.

This is the loveliest "champagne" romantic comedy. Lots of bubbles as you root for the two characters - who of course have their challenges - and of course - you want to see them together. But when excuses get in the way of honesty, can it come to pass? A perfect play for all those "romance-love" festivals out there - especially around Valentine's Day. Do you need a smile today? Read the play.

The play kept me as off-balance as Lucy is during most of it. Was there consent? You don't know until the very end and then it rips you. Moving back and forth in time, we are in Lucy's journey as she struggles to remember what she doesn't remember. I'd love to see this play in high schools as young people grapple with, "What is consent?" "What is date rape?" At the very least, if this play was featured on college campuses across the country, there could be very meaningful discussion which could help the tide of this rising crime.

A wonderfully engaging play that is about bullying but without the messenger delivering the "bully" message. Instead, it's young monsters figuring out their own place, dealing with their insecurities while trying to stay under the radar of ridicule. The humor draws you in and will engage young people. The honesty keeps you invested and the humanity (monsteranity?) of these characters win you over. A delightful ensemble youth play.

A mother-daughter conversation that had to happen but doesn't go where you think it will. It's a play for our times and a commentary not only on Trump's America, but on why there is a #MeToo movement. Poignant and sharp.

And there aren’t enough therapy dogs to comfort what is happening in America. In one minute we move from “aww, cute” to “funny” to a “breathless sorrow.”

Where we are and where we are going... the most frightening thing is the reality of this monologue. A snapshot that could become reality in five minutes or tomorrow or in a year and it could happen over and over again. It should be included in every festival about gun control, black lives matter and school violence. Justification for killing a student: a terrifying “new normal.”