Recommended by Claudia Haas

Levine offers up a “mid-lfe crisis” in the time of Covid. It’s the antidote that all of us duly-masked, CDC rule-followers need. It’s perfect for zoom (what an accomplishment), contains sparkly, high waves of dialogue, and the promise of an endless summer - a promise which we would trade in all of our masks and sanitizers for.

Delete addresses so much in a scant ten minutes. Deleting is too easy. Ending life is simple. Accidental or intentional, there is no redo. How can we make it harder to press “delete” and easier to ask “help?”

Wang provides us with the Horn of Plenty. It's there. It may not show up when we think it should, but it's a golden carrot ready at different times in life. The dialogue is so vivid, we see the gardens, touch the seeds, hear the secrets, and keep them close. Wang gently layers the play as we layer our garden for optimum growth. There's trust that a sturdy life will overcome the weeds. The conversation crackles and sparkles but underneath you'll find quiet wisdom that was born from struggle. Wang's feast is filled with unexpected riches.

Part memory, part dreamscape, and filled in with exquisite remembrances, Williams offers up a song of love. It is a thing of beauty that a simple walk with those you love (human and canine) is the stuff that dreams are indeed made of. You wish for these dreams. You're lucky if you had those walks. Luckier still if you get to keep them close to you and call them up when needed. Yes, there are places here for tears. And so many places for smiles. Williams supplies all of that and more.

Zaffarano's poignant play brings out the memories of those we have lost and finds a way for us to process our grief in remembrance, in ancestry, and in history. The dialogue between the parent and teen rings true and honest. We have a feel for these people. We experience their loss. We get to know an unseen character and grieve. The play's a gentle gift of love and loss and how we cope.

This is so much fun. Count on having Sondheim Syndrome when you are done. This would be the best introduction to a variety show where the audience is primed to know show tunes. I love the oldies but goodies included that are now standards. Broadway musicals ruling real estate seems right.

And why wouldn’t Jesus show up in a Hugo Boss suit? Bicknell absolutely runs with “if Jesus showed up, we wouldn’t believe it” and takes it to a whole new level. A delight for the religious and non, Bicknell gives us the best “what if?”

What a gorgeous, sweet play. Set in the dark, it brings light and love. Even in the darkest times, love shines a light. Gitter shines a bright life and you dance with the couple in gratitude (just before you have blintzes).

Carnes nails down the quarantine. Are we starfish? Are we golden? Can we still fly through the air in a jeweled unitard? Who will catch who? What is past? What is future? And she gives a future that’s not too shabby. Even if we are older.

Oh! Wicked play. Wicked people. And such great fun for the audience. Love the twisty turn-around and the satirical look at what passes for friendship nowadays.