Recommended by Claudia Haas

As a devout sucker for the Golden Age of Hollywood and World War Two, this play grabbed me and would not let go. I want more! A beautifully woven character study who meet at the right time, Erb gives us a starlet and a hero who are wonderfully human and humane. The play has a heartbeat, musicality, and a tale for all times. You never know where an encounter will lead. It makes you think.

Norkin has proved what I always suspected: Steve Jobs travelled through time and listened in on conversations between Bell and Watson to invent the i-phone. It’s a hilarious, farcical romp through the process of invention. Opportunities abound for physical humor, creative props, and a chance for two actors to shine. Audiences will lap it up if they can stop looking at their phones.

A Shop in the Darkness is part fairy tale, part fable and part cautionary tale. Floyd-Priskorn deftly gives us a story ripe for these times. She understands what scares us, what haunts us and what in the end will inspire us. And she does it all with welcome humor, original characters, and a taste of the darkness which also bring light.

Erb’s exploration of friendship has no bounds. The use of a piece of art for controversy is what art is for. An in-depth look at how friendship changes through the ages - warts and all - is a welcome exploration of growth in friendship - even when it’s painful. A lovely female centric play for theatres and audiences.

A gentle, heartfelt, and funny remembrance of a well-loved furball. Priskorn knows cats, grief, purrs and the bonds we have with our furry family members. A few tears were shed reading this. And a few smiles also occurred. A gem for two actors and time well spent for an audience.

First, yes, I am a fan of Szymkowicz’s writing. I could hear the various voices as Szymkowicz moved from scene to scene. A Life - indeed several variations of a life are portrayed here. The playwright delves deep into thoughts - thoughts that are universal. Thoughts we have all had - and the question is - what do you do with them? And this is where Szymkowicz has a very good answer. An answer where attention must be paid. Moving, theatrical and poignant.

Sweet, poignant and memorable, Cuthbert takes relativity and makes it relative. A time travel tale as old as time and as new as today, I was surprised and delighted, sad and hopeful. I love that Cuthbert leaves me with hope. Original and yearning, it’s a play about family that leaves you wanting more.

Reality check for actresses. Imagine studying the classics and when you leave school, get an agent, and you’re still cute as all-get-out, but all your auditions consist of “cute girl in the third row.” Morgan skewers tentative actress friendships, casting calls and the life of an actress that you may deem satire but actresses will yell “truth.” This is such a good introduction to theatre for female university students. Fun with a touch of the scary. Ominous with a touch of the silly.

A beautiful rendering of a child’s anxiety and how it feeds and festers. Puppetry creates both an arena of safety and menace as “Charley” navigates tricky territory trying to befriend someone new. The world can be a puzzle for young people and Lofredo pieces together a poignant tale of overcoming fear to become a friend.

We live in a world where innuendo soon becomes fact and LaValle cleverly makes this come alive. Or kicks the life out of it. The inter-weaving of truth with fiction and speculation is both clever and absurd. One thing is certain, eavesdropping can be an amazing sport. Audiences would love to be in on this “private conversation.”