Recommended by Steven G. Martin

Lucy Wang's comic monologue lets an audience in on The Secret: growing older has its perks. This play is pure fun.

Richter's sly, satirical monologue sets up the audience beautifully. It's all about civility and modern communication, modern communication and civility ... and then, WHAM, a reminder of just how shallow/pointless/ridiculous the world can be. This is a gift for a comic actor and a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

Richter's short play is an empathetic portrait of those who want social connections, but are unable to cultivate them. This is an entirely recognizable -- and for more than a few people, relatable -- character and situation. A "sigh" of a play.

The world's going to hell? In Otterman's short dark comedy, it inspires complacency, selfishness, and nonchalance. "The Volcano Play" is a quick, damning look at American priorities.

Rose uses highly theatrical methods to bring this nightmare scenario to the stage. This is a character-driven, very tension-filled one-act.

This is a satisfying, imaginative romantic comedy. Going into the theater, an audience will know exactly how the personal and professional conflicts will end. But they won't know what paths the characters will take to reach a resolution, and that's a testament to Zaffarano's skills as a storyteller.

Does owning and shooting a gun make you more of a man? Boyle shows the seductive nature of firearms in this monologue that has a strong, clear, singular voice.

Have you ever laughed out loud, only to be slapped hard in the face? That's what an audience will feel watching Siering's short play "Truth is..."

It's a satire that feels like a documentary; a harsh, perceptive, very funny, yet still slap-in-the-face experience that shows insight not only about contemporary issues, but also the larger plots and schemes at the national level that keep politicians toeing the line.

A delightful workplace comedy set in Heaven, specifically God's waiting room. Funny, yet thoughtful: Can Heaven be overcrowded? Can a committee offer solutions within an allotted time? Will the person in charge consider change? But mostly, it's funny and endearing. I'd love to watch a production or to direct one.

Stolnack places hell and paradise side-by-side on stage, simultaneously. And it's obvious he knows about both, as shown in the level of details he includes. That alone makes "The Spot" a play that would be moving to watch.

But Stolnack goes further by telling a story of friendship and redemption that trusts audiences to fill in the details and perhaps ask more questions.