Recommended by Claudia Haas

A debate intelligently offered without rancor about a debate that certainly has our own population at odds. O’Doherty gives us a carefully thought-out conversation as two characters grapple with their personal beliefs, their intention to do “good” while constrained by the rules of their church, the will of a family, and a choice that affects the future of a young person. There is a welcome acknowledgement that life is not filled with black and white but filled with shades of gray.

Relationships are multi-faceted and Gilman knows his way around a love story. I appreciated the honesty in the dialogue and the sly humor that comes from a deep knowledge of who these two people are and where they are in time. Keeping a box of origami bees is such a civilized way to remember what was once important. In a sense, it cements the good and takes away the sting. Charming and poignant.

Oh to be a bee in love. Oh to be a bee wanting to save the world! This is a honey of a rom-com and O'Grady sneaks in some well put lines about being an activist and being in love. You get a few pointers on bee anatomy as well - bonus points. Who could ask for anything more? Read it for the sweet rom-com, produce it for the swarms out there who want food for thought with their entertainment.

And a child shall lead them. And the child does beautifully - leading the mother with a wise knowing feel as to who and what are dangerous and who and what you can trust. A lovely view on life, bees, and bullies.

Spooky, questioning, atmospheric - Bluestein-Lyons perfectly sets the stage for an encounter - of the second? third? time and does not disappoint. Petrified forests have their charms and curses and the playwright finds them all.

Weaver's dance of bees and bears is pure delight. There's a feast of physicality that proves the point that stage directions are important. You root for the bears. You hope for the bees. You wonder about rocks and there will be an excited buzz in the audience when the ending comes. This is meant to be staged, so stage it.

Always read the fine print. Never assume. There's an amusing lesson here on both sides of the "customer service spectrum" and it's great fun. Word of advice: Don't be Harold. Be nice.

There is so much to recommend here! It's a wonderful ode to women's friendships. An inspired "we're going to fight for women's causes," plus - there's chocolate. Witty, breezy, containing social issues without being strident - I enjoyed every minute of this. One more thing, Kate and Holly - can I be your friend?

Sometimes you cannot just be what others think you should be. Sometimes you just need to be. And be truthful. From the outset, the couples loves each other because they’re trying so hard. Who hasn’t wanted to murder their spouse after many years? Hilder offers a truthful and fun look at a couple in therapy trying to overcome their problems. As it happens, their solution beats the therapists. Who knows where they will be next week? It would be fun to speculate. A charmer.

Brent Alles gives us a play that is an ode to so much that is good in life. It's filled with play, frustration, stick-to-it-iveness and a myriad of emotions and activities that we encounter every day. Step-by-step, he offers us a blueprint on creating. But more important, the play is an exercise in our common humanity and what we can accomplish - together. You'll never look at a bee the same way again.