Recommended by Steven G. Martin

Bryan Stubbles writes plays no one else dares.

"Wheatgrass Smoothie Blues" is very funny and very dark. The situation is remarkable -- it's Jonestown at the Food Court. The dialogue is wonderful -- I laughed out loud and cringed in equal turn. And the characters -- Stubbles makes you hate the hipsters one moment, cheer for them the next, and then hate them again in rapid succession. (I guess they're not so bad when compared to a psychopathic, megalomaniac cult leader.)

"Wheatgrass Smoothie Blues" is astounding. Audiences and actors alike will love it.

Heartbreaking for an audience, regardless of whether they're someone being cared for or close to the age of being cared for, someone doing the caring or close to the age of doing the caring, or someone young enough to have a million unencumbered dreams. Cam Eickmeyer shows great understanding for all of the characters, but none of them are living their best life. It's heartbreaking.

Audiences loved this play when it was performed at my local community theater. First, the visual of a live actor playing Zoltan, an arcade fortune teller, is hilarious. Second, Zoltan's quips at the start of the play to zing the characters' flaws are very funny. But boy, does the tone change at the end. I felt myself move from laughing to feeling bad about the awkward truths about Charlie and Rebecca.

Funny on so many levels. :) Yes, Adam Richter is taking a shot at "Moby-Dick," but I love the ending that takes a jab at commercialism.

In this sharp satire, Daniel Prillaman takes dead-eye aim at people who use AI to the detriment of human creators. (Note: Prillaman attacks only the people who misuse AI, not AI itself -- an intelligent subtlety that I find in Prillaman plays.)

"I'm Gonna Need You to Log off for Me" is also quite funny, from Moxi's personal realizations and character arc to the jaw-dropping name of one of its characters. Come for the bloodbath, stay for the humor.

A sweet, breezy, and funny coming-out tale. Anthony Dodge's short comedy is another example of straight women friends knowing more than gay men give them credit for. It's perfect for an LGBTQIA Pride-themed festival.

"Breakwater" shows so much complexity in such a short amount of time thanks to Robert J. LeBlanc's skills. His characters Monty and Mattie are so specific, as are their shared history and real-time conflict. And I love the emotions that are at cross-purposes with one another, creating a lot of tension: fear and concern against love an affection.

"The Charlatans" is a terrifically executed ghost story. Stephen Graff creates genuine chills that actors and designers will love to bring to life.

I love how this one-act play is about more than its immediate conflict. Boyle has told a story about war across all times and locations, and "Another Part of the Field" is more powerful because of it.

"2:13am" is a brief portrait of what it means to be there for someone during an emotionally devastating time.