Recommended by Claudia Haas

A gentle play employing Christmas magic, elves, and grace. Cokinos goes for the heart of Christmas and delivers a poignant story of grief and loss wrapped in a red ribbon. The ending tugs but the last line is a bright smile. And a welcome surprise.

I love the idea of a couple wanting to connect over the impossible. The Christmas movie debate is one for the ages and used to great effect (and had me wanting to add my two cents). We all need a rom-com for the holiday season and Feeny-Williams’ play answers the call. You may not agree with my choice of Christmas movies but I guarantee you’ll enjoy this play.

Grieving comes in all shapes and sizes. There is no time limit and it finds you in a myriad of ways. Mabey’s father and son have danced around their feelings through life and death. And now an object whose importance has diminished in time suddenly becomes the connection that enables both the father and the son to understand the importance of what was and move to “what will be.” A moving peace on holding on and letting go.

The notion of flight and/or falling resonates big time with me right now. Connecting horizontal ice hockey with cats vertically falling from buildings was not on my radar until now. Nor was the visual of a cat surfing on a cooler in a truck. But it’s all here and Charles Scott Jones makes sense of it all in this smartly written piece about new beginnings, and the nature of life. You will be hooked from page 1.

There’s a ton of “ho ho ho” here - as we find the jolly old elf did not become Santa by being a pushover. Burch pays tribute to “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” but with a twist. And it’s a huge, “blow it out of the water” one. You think you have problems with Elf on the Shelf? Wait till you meet the real Elf! Liven up your holiday season and have a twisty little Christmas with this play. You’ll never look at a nutcracker the same way.

Barn Wood and Blue Roses seems to be a high-stakes adventure wrapped in blue roses, secret scrolls and dragon wings. But it’s heart is friendship and the lengths young people will go to open their hearts to others even when it hurts. Jacquelyn Priskorn doesn’t shy away from the big ideas - mythic in scope. Instead she meets them head on infusing them with humor, humanity, and moments of welcome grace. A poignant, smartly written play for the youth canon.

Stunning imagery coupled with truths and sweet-toughness. The imagery strengthens characters and brings us to a tough finish line that may be inevitable but is challenging. A gorgeous piece of theatre that will resonate when produced. So., produce it.

A play that breaks your soul, explodes the heart, and makes you ponder - "did we learn anything form the past? Is it too late to start now?" Wirsansky use of history pleads for more humanity. This short play may just be a tiny blip in a history class but is the world in a class dedicated to ethics. More ethics, please. More discussion.

Devilishly original - Marshall Logan Gibbs weaves a spell of one part comedy, 1 part horror, a pinch of mental health and a touch of pop culture to create a play that keeps you guessing and laughing and wondering. It’s a spooky treat for audiences and actors. Take a peek and enjoy the ride. It’s a clever, fast one.

I was a bit wiped from the news cycle and wanted a moment of joy. Martin gives us a character that radiates joy in herself but gives the spark to others - including me. You’ll feel like dancing after this. Time for the happy playlist.