Recommended by Claudia Haas

In case you wondered, Manischewitz and My Little Pony may not be the best combination. Or maybe it’s dreidels and gentiles? Lipschutz delivers a compelling reason to keep your new love under wraps for the holidays. On the other hand, what better time to introduce the new topic of conversation for years to come. A delightful family, holiday comedy that defies spelling.

As Christmas approaches and the overwhelming reality is there’s not a lot of time to do everything, Syran brings me back to my “mouse Christmas” or is it “mice Christmas” or is it “mince Christmas” or “mice pies” or “mince pies” and does it matter? I laughed and laughed remembering my own personal Houdini and how mince pies do not attract mice. Well done! Come here for a fun present for the holiday! (Mice not included in present.)

Thank you to Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend for giving this playwright a play about seniors who are in no way failing but making plans. New traditions, new ways to honor those that have passed (be them human or feline), and loving, begrudging affection between the two just charmed me. The sharp dialogue cuts the sentiment. And I really hope they outlive any parakeets that come their way.

One could wax poetic and philosophically about, “what is age? it’s just a number.” And, “what is time? Is it relative?” Or one could sit back and enjoy the dynamics of a smartly written mother-daughter relationship. And let you enjoy the wonder of Foster’s insightful ending, “What is truth and does it matter?”

I am reading this after some emotional, private moments and find that Preuss has offered healing and even a smile in the wake of the unthinkable. The bridging of a relationship, the honesty, and the respect of the mourning period offer light in days of darkness.

Two traditions and who cares? It’s about love and yuletide and Christmas cheer. Traditions and language may differ but the love from both sides shines through,

A beautiful piece in the spirit of the holidays. It not only addresses the (sort of) gift of the magi but the cult of being popular, a teen, and what is right and wrong and when do you draw the line.

Feeny-Wiliams offer us laws (and a police officer) gone amok. Throw in global warning, illegal ice skates, and there's a cautionary and delightful tale here. Ice and snow can be scary, fun, and illegal. Beware.

Mabey manages to sweep away cobwebs and give us an affirmation of gender in all ways. With secrets revealed, a couple learns to love and accept all because in a good world, love wins.

More than the December holidays, Thanksgiving seems to be the time of truths about families. Heirloom recipes, guessing what you are grateful for .. or not, it can be an emotional dinner. Donnelly sets the table with a fractured family where healing is possible but not guaranteed. A remembrance of a family recipe conjures up the good, the bad, and the ugly. Time heals and time gives. Donnelly offers both. A play that exposes truths, it gives us an ending worthy of giving thanks.