Recommended by Claudia Haas

This is a sweet two-hander that everyone can relate to. At some time in everyone's life, we have had to pack a bag and decide what to take. It's set during the Biblical Exodus - but could be set today. Benjamin has a hard time parting with sentimental things while his sister Devorah looks at the practical. You root for Benjamin's trinkets to make it into the bag although you know in times of hardship - practicality usually wins. The play can be done with teens or with adults - it resonates.

The play has a culture clash and a generational clash in which the outcome is anything but ordinary. What could have been a stereotypical mother-daughter argument segues into the truth of their love - even when it's not convenient. This is a compassionate play that is welcome on all stages: adult play festivals, college theatres and high school festivals. It is a play that encourages you to throw out preconceived notions and empathize.

Forgiving others is tricky thing. Forgiving yourself can be even harder. After a horrific crime committed by Kyle, there seems to be a divide that will separate him from his Uncle Arnie forever. You think there can never be a meeting of minds or love again. But a memory, a bike and a confession are healing touches. They pave the way to a new kind of hope. A gripping play that stays with you.

You may get a caffeinated buzz as you read the play, but it happily turns to a warm glow. It's a smart, funny script that stands our selfie-world on its head and rips merrily through pop culture. Alex (your "Coffee Guide") majored in biology because she loved biology - then. And is now a barista because she loves coffee - now. She strives to live a life without roots. Moments are for the here and now (and texting). But life changes. Perfect for universities and containing strong, self-aware roles for the cast.

This is one high-octane, verbally rich play. The barbs and creative reasoning (appropriate for the "creative economics" debated here) kept me riveted to the page with huge smiles and chuckles. All four characters have the smarts and are engaging and you cannot wait to hear what comes next. As the play draws to a close, you are left with, "Wait? Satire? Or is this a truth about our current economic climate?" Theatres, universities and high schools would all serve this play well. And leave everyone discussing the play.

This is a sweet gem of a play with a friendly reminder to slow down, people! Look and see and smell those roses. Children will delight in Sam's adventures that all take place in his bedroom. Especially fun moments include the drum for Sloth's helmut, the Cheetah as a cop (arresting Sam for speeding) and Goo on roller skates. Nonni's rice pudding and Sloth's guidance are one of the many smiles of the play.

There's a nice little twist with each of the actors being both superheroes and super villains and never sure which they are. There's tremendous room for silly design and both young audiences (and young performers) will take delight in the antics of the characters. The heightened wordplay is matched by tremendous physical action: fake-movie-fighting, flying and fire-breathing. And isn't that what you want in a superhero play?

This is an engaging comedy that plays with love, sex and commitment at all stages of life. It's refreshing to see a role for a woman on the cusp of fifty exploring her sexuality and coming into her own. It's a twist on the coming-of-age story only the protagonist is a middle-aged woman! Even when dealing with secrets and betrayals, the play retains it lightness of being.

Adventure on the high seas: mutiny, buried treasure - it's all here in this female-centric Treasure Island. Yes, the pirates are women and as dangerous as the original pirates in Stevenson's tale. With the welcome addition of humor (it's a comedy - a murderous one), Jolly seamlessly weaves feminism, politics and 21st century pop culture references into the script without taking you out of the story. An ideal show if you have a pool of swashbuckling, strong actresses longing to play something other than "Juliet" (and the male roles are meaty, also). Bonus points if you do the chicken suit.

This is a delightfully wild and wooly, fast-paced romp of a play. Curses! Intrigue! Murder! Brigadoon! What's not to like? The kingdom is in danger and in a few hours - "something" will befall it. Earthquakes? Floods? A sledding accident? Nobody knows. As the characters try to stop the curse and save their kingdom, the plot thickens. This plays well for family audiences by adults or teens. The actors will really be able to sink their teeth into the witty asides that keep coming. The kingdom cannot laugh under their curse but the audience can. And will. A lot!