Applause is proud to continue the series that for over 60 years has been the standard of excellence for one-act plays in America. From its inception The ÊBest American Short PlaysÊ has identified new cutting-edge playwrights who have gone on to establish award-winning careers including Tennessee Williams Edward Albee Wendy Wasserstein Terrence McNally and David Mamet.ÞThe complex and diverse plays that make up this collection reflect both personal concerns and social issues. The 2008-2009 edition includes ÊA Second of PleasureÊ by Neil LaBute; ÊSt. Francis Preaches to the BirdsÊ by David Ives; ÊThe Stormy Waters The Long Way HomeÊ by Carey Lovelace; ÊEarly MorningÊ by Eric Lane; ÊSistersÊ by Adam Kraar Maria Filimon and Tasnim Mansur; ÊLittle DuckÊ by Billy Aronson; ÊA Portrait of the Woman as a Young ArtistÊ by Meg Miroshnik; ÊSlapped ActressÊ by Emily Conbere; ÊThe Last Artist in NYCÊ by Polly Frost and Ray Sawhill; ÊTHE TRUE AUTHOR of the plays formerly attributed to Mister William Shakespeare REVEALED to the world for the first time by Miss Delia BaconÊ by James Armstrong; ÊThe Lovers and Others of Eugene O'NeillÊ by Marla Del Collins; ÊIIIÊ by Joe Salvatore; ÊPete & Joe at the Dew Drop InnÊ by Lewis Gardner; ÊDecades ApartÊ by Rick Pulos; Ê508Ê by Amy Herzog; and ÊNaked Old ManÊ by Murray Schisgal.