In its 12th volume, the New Playwrights just keep getting better. Lawrence Harbison handpicked the finest plays by new American Playwrights from the 2008-2009 theatrical season. A satisfying collection of comedies and dramas awaits you.AMERICAN HWANGAP by Lloyd Suh. It's dear old Dad's 60th birthday. Although he deserted his family years ago, they are holding a traditional Korean 60th birthday celebration (a hwangap) anyway. He comes back to the U.S. for his hwangap, and what ensues is funny and often quite poignant. Produced in NYC by Ma-Yi Theatre Co. and The Play Company. "Suh strikes just the right balance between humor and deeply felt emotion." Theatremania.ANIMALS OUT OF PAPER by Rajiv Joseph. A comedy from NYC's Second Stage. A high school teacher and Origami enthusiast is a big fan of the work of an origami artist. He asks her to tutor a gifted young student of his, who might just be the Tiger Woods of Origami.BEACHWOOD DRIVE by Steven Leigh Morris. This compelling drama from NYC's Abingdon Theatre Co. centers on a Ukrainian woman working as a prostitute in Los Angeles and a LAPD detective determined to bust the gangsters with whom she is involved."A police case study that is a truly chilling cautionary tale." - Backstage CROOKED by Catherine Trieschmann. Laney, a teenaged girl with a crooked spine, has moved to a new town with her mother. There, she meets another girl named Maribel, who changes her life."The themes -- mother-daughter tensions, adolescence itself and religion as a refuge -- emerge naturally from the fluent, often funny and sometimes fearlessly cruel dialogue." NY Times. Produced in NYC by The Women's Project. END DAYS by Deborah Zoe Laufer. The Steins are one strange American Family. Dad, Arthur, a World Trade Center survivor, suffers from terminal depression. Their daughter, Rachel, is an alienated goth chick, and Mom, Sylvia, thinks the Rapture is imminent. Neighbor Nelson, who dresses in Elvis' white jumpsuit, is an incorrigible optimist who loves Rachel and physics, and slowly but surely he straightens out the Stein family. Oh, and two of the characters, are none other than Jesus Christ and Stephen Hawking."Enormously funny, warm and uplifting." Curtain Up. Original produced by Florida Stage. Premiered in NYC at Ensemble Studio Theatre. FARRAGUT NORTH by Beau Willimon. This compelling drama is about skullduggery on the campaign trail."Beau Willimon's juicy and timely drama is a potent reminder that, like Hollywood, politics is a high-stakes game where one wrong liaison can finish you off. It's a place where friendships and loyalties are only as deep as the next cocktail or quick jump in the sack." NY Daily News. Produced in NYC by Atlantic Theatre Co. JESUS HATES ME by Wayne Lemon. This hilarious comedy premiered at the Denver Center and has gone on to several other productions around the country. Set in W. Texas, it takes place at a run-down mini-golf track with a religious theme. It's called "Blood of the Lamb" and its trademark is a crucified Christ."It disarms the audience with pointed one-liners and thoughtful existential observations. The audience laughs and hoots." Variety