Recommended by Steven G. Martin

In this short one-act play, Danley dramatizes idyllic scenes of childhood friendship and uses narration by an adult to reflect on their impact. While young audiences will enjoy and relate to so much in Mary and Leo's connections, "The Camera, the Gerbil, and the Big, Wide World" will also resonate with older audiences who may understand how important the right person at the right time can affect our lives.

Zaffarano takes the protagonists of "Sweet Revenge" from bad to worse to ridiculous levels of conflict in this brisk farce. And there are so many sources of humor: relationship comedy, physical comedy, workplace comedy, dark comedy, even comedy with visual elements. Actors and audiences will enjoy every minute of this teetering-on-disaster-no-longer-teetering-it's-actually-happened play.

Another winning short comedy from Elizabeth Isela Szekeresh. College freshman Victoria is preparing herself for Christmas with her family, but the Google slides haven't come. Again, it's not going to end well. And now I'm ready for another installment of Victoria's adventures!

This and Szekeresh's "Down and Brown Thanksgiving" would make for a terrific comic double-bill. Fun dialogue; strong, differentiated characters; easy to produce; and something to (satirically?) say. Produce these plays.

Elizabeth Isela Szekeresh shows audiences the very comic calm before the storm. We can only imagine the aftermath, it becomes that much richer.

Victoria, a college freshman, is preparing herself to lay down some knowledge on her family. And, oh, there aren't enough flash cards in the world: everything wrong with their self-identification; their non-vegan, non-organic Thanksgiving meal options; their votes in the federal election. It isn't going to go well.

This and "Down and Brown Christmas" would make a wonderful pairing. Produce them.

"Talking Points" has a terrific premise and has warm humor. Family coming together to emotionally support family. Hayet has written a winning Thanksgiving comedy.

Pointedly fun satire about education, the government, and what it means to parent and to be a kid. Terrific premise that may be closer to reality than I care to imagine. Well-deserving of its multiple productions to date.

Hooray to Carnes for poking fun not at kindness and sentiment, but at people instead. That makes all the difference.

From its title and setting to its characters and actions, "Large-Hearted Giving" is pure, acid-tongue-in-cheek social satire. Carnes knows people are capable of generosity, kindness and selflessness but good grief we are a shallow, vacant lot. This minute-long play is terrific for the holiday season.

Saari shows the importance of connecting with people who can understand what you're experiencing. Realistic situation, characters and dialogue -- including some comic ones -- shine in this one-act play.

Malakhow has written a terrific history play that -- like all good history plays -- focuses on people impacted by their settings rather than a specific event.

Yes, the audience learns more about Dr. Evelyn Hooker's studies and that's important, but it's the interaction between David and Chuck -- and David's ever so slight adjustment -- that will engage audiences. Wonderfully well-written, character-based drama.

A short play that deserves to be called a romantic comedy -- there's plenty of comedy and romance (and baseball!) packed into 10 minutes of stage time.

It's the details that lift this feel-good play: Higbee knows baseball, knows passionate fandom, knows the Minnesota Twins ... which makes Sally that much more interesting & real.