Recommended by Claudia Haas

Goldman-Sherman deftly captures a marriage being changed. The 800 mile car ride with each other is their future together. Their son has just been dropped off at his college and the empty-nest syndrome has just begun. What is so telling is that what is said is a cover for what is left unsaid. Goldman-Sherman deftly captures this couple's vulnerability and fears as they strive to move forward. It's a beauty of a play about looking at a new chapter in your life. Better yet, it contains two strong roles for mature actors.

Lewis's play focuses on two things: the humanity of all in the great divide that is America today and the necessity of protest to enact change. Told through the lens of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, we are treated to snapshots of birders, ranchers, occupiers and a novice reporter who is trying to make sense of the protest. The Great Divide isn't meant to shock or condemn but to nudge people to engage in meaningful conversations. Conversations that are long overdue. It's currently being workshopped and I think it will be an important play in the years to come.

Kaplan covers a lot of ground in this holiday play. The premise is simple: two children play with a doll. Then it evolves into questions of role play, religion, God, commercialism, all the while keeping the childlike wonder of all their confusions. In the midst of a lot of snappy and clever dialogue, the broad theme of acceptance shines.

You have to love a play that has mall employees debating the worthiness of zombie Santa, Mrs. Claus baking brain-cookies for Christmas or Santa raping a reindeer. All are commercially viable and in the news. This play is perfect for all the alternative Christmas festivals popping up for those who have overdosed on candy canes and Hallmark.

Truly a chilling monologue basked in warmth and sweetness. Partain gives you Anna in all her teenage angst, her hopes and her so 16-year-old crush. You know her. You want to protect her. And that’s the point: we should be protecting all of them.

I know the original fairy tale well which focuses on the theme of good and evil. Stubbles stands this on its head and expands it to focus on race and privilege which works beautifully. 1930’s in the American south evokes rich folklore and the juxtaposition of this fairy tale with that time period heightens the play. It’s accessible and magical for young audiences and young performers alike.

This is a heart-stopping, theatrical work that will leave you at the edge of your seats. Skillman deftly combines themes of loss and trying to connect with the big picture of respecting our earthly home. She gives us two characters that are spirited, imaginative and deeply immersed in trying to do the right thing even when it goes haywire. A play with great depth touched by earthly sprites. I would dearly love to see this staged.

There are a lot of arcs here and three meaty roles for actresses. Dementia doesn’t just break the person with the disease. It can break their loved ones as evidenced here. The play examines coming home, staying put, what you owe to your parents, and what you owe to your siblings in a meaningful way.

There are some big themes running through this play: loss, memory suppression, sibling rivalry. Burdick uses them to maximum effect. Can you go home again? Should you? What happens when what you remember is not accurate? There are three compelling characters - all flawed and all worthy of love. The play is a journey of coming home and letting go. The revitalization of Monessen Falls underlies the hope for the family. All through the play, the visuals enhance the plot.

A tense 911 call between a scared teen and a dispatcher is interrupted regularly with Facebook comments (all taken from Facebook) is all you need to know about the way we process information today. While the teen is seeking help, the comments judge him, and add their personal histories. It's chilling to recognize that social media carries a lot of sanctimonious "what about's" and little true discussion. In a short amount of time, Carnes manages to address gun control, mental health and community in pointed manner. Now to have a true discussion: listening is mandatory.