Recommended by Steven G. Martin

Come for the family wackiness in this short holiday comedy, but stay for the heart.

Families can turn playful during Christmas, and I was comically shocked by quite a lot of the dialogue. But what really spoke to me is the reason behind the playfulness. I have a feeling it will resonate with a lot of people who have seen more than a few Christmases.

Uplifting, wry, and funny as hell.

Brodie's comic one-act had me smiling from the start, not only because of its premise but because the characters are active in going for what they want. And that feels so good -- breaking through barriers and boundaries. An audience is going to love "Archetypes in Rehab" for many reasons.

Watching "Shoelaces" made me very uncomfortable, as Speckman skillfully leads an audience to question what scenarios/games are being played and what character motivations are. Is it possibly a Rorschach test -- what you perceive speaks to who you are? Upsetting and disorienting in the best way possible.

Rich in detail -- the world building, the insight into music and musicality, the history between the protagonist Terry and the person Terry speaks to. Rich in emotions -- both expressed and suppressed. Visually spare yet with a wonderful on-stage image at the end. "Partita" would be a standout performance wherever it would be staged, even an immersive location.

Jessi Green's performance of "Forgive Me Cosmo, For I Have Sinned" for Talking Horse Productions put a spotlight on how wonderfully Ruben Carbajal has structured this monologue created from found items. While this monologue is very funny, it also makes a person cringe at messages women receive from media.

Kirk Shimano builds tension for characters and audience in this romantic comedy. As I read, I became frustrated with the characters and wanted them to break through, and they didn't ... and they didn't ... until they did. And it was satisfying. Then the romantic part caught up with the comedic. Lovely.

Obsession, competition, compulsion, and artists. And questions about appreciating art. Heesun Hwang's "A Peach Grows in Philadelphia" would be visually stunning to produce, and there are some great tantrums and tirades for actors. This is a funny and pointed short comedy.

I love how David Hansen layers so many feelings into just a couple pages of text. There's earnest gratitude, sardonic wit, and even a stage direction of pure, concentrated dramatic irony. "Writer" is an enjoyable read.

Loopy comic characters and a bit of philosophic punch stand out in this play.

Reading "A Harmony of Both," I enjoyed the zany, off-the-wall flimflam Stan uses to soothe Emily's anger -- it was a comically disorienting dialogue that had the same effect on me as it did on Emily herself.

But what I truly loved about this short comedy is that Terence Patrick Hughes' plot takes the idea of influence and engagement even further.

Two of the most influential figures of 20th century America meet in Michael Moss's one-act play. Both men possess greatness, and it's eye-opening to think just how famous -- and infamous -- they will grow to become after their conversation. Fine historical and biographical drama.