Recommended by Claudia Haas

I love the idea of families as small universes. Philip Middleton Williams cements that idea with his travellers flying in the sky in our own universe to visit their small universe. And then there’s Star Trek to just tie it together. A lovely little gem of connections forged and missed and how today we travel because our small universes are expanding - yes, just as our universe is. Clever and sweet.

I so wanted to see the house, and even dreamed with Ellie of being in that house. The eye-opener at the end was a succinct description of “be careful what you wish for…” Lermond turns a unique eye on that famous proverb.

Sammy’s Game is a roller coaster ride through varying degrees of darkness leaving you wondering if light will ever come again. Harrowing and sitting at the edge of my seat, I read on truly worried about these two damaged people and what it cost them to wind up in “the game.” A compelling thriller.

Change is good, right? Giving up bacon is good for your health, right? Fairy tales have truths. Even if you knock them upside down and simmer them in butter - you’ll find a truth. Ava Love Hanna found a whole lot of new truths in this delightful twist of a pig’s tail. Join the fun, read it, produce it and you decide if it needs buttering up. A delight from head to tail.

I love how (Re)Dressing Miss Havisham is not just a feminist twist on an old story but a delving into her character - to the most minute details and coming up with a theory that Dickens may not have meant - but he clearly wrote. Beginning with a criminologist investigation and using excerpts from the book, Minigan skillfully weaves a tale of how Miss Havisham came to be, how she gambled and won and lost - as gamblers do. A tour de force for an actress and a compelling mystery.

This is way too much fun as a reader - I can imagine the chortles of the majority of theatre goers in the audience - who yes - are women. Empowering, devilish, charming and all too true. Yes, Virginia there is “hair harassment.” Well done.

Haven’t we all - at one time or another - been told to stay in our place? What if you do not know where your place is? Or worse, you know your place but nobody else knows theirs. Martineau’s theatrical play is a touchstone for inclusion, diversity and that state of being we can all relate to - being a teen in high school. He weaves a tale that is wholly believable and absurd at the same time. Teen actors will dive into this with enthusiasm as will their audience.

I, too, am all eyes and ears when it comes to time travel. Brandon’s ability to keep turning those tables in a scant ten minutes left me breathless. The humor crackles and the characters’ secrets and reveals will keep you guessing. It’s enticing, fun and a scary roller coaster ride that you won’t want to miss.

A gentle play employing Christmas magic, elves, and grace. Cokinos goes for the heart of Christmas and delivers a poignant story of grief and loss wrapped in a red ribbon. The ending tugs but the last line is a bright smile. And a welcome surprise.

I love the idea of a couple wanting to connect over the impossible. The Christmas movie debate is one for the ages and used to great effect (and had me wanting to add my two cents). We all need a rom-com for the holiday season and Feeny-Williams’ play answers the call. You may not agree with my choice of Christmas movies but I guarantee you’ll enjoy this play.