"Welcome to the Moon and Other Plays" presents the reader, viewer, and actor with a number of plays based in different eras and located in different settings, yet all of the plays share a common trait; they all reveal the state of the human condition while lightly satirizing through slight exaggeration of these conditions. From "Out West" to the Red Coat and from "Down and Out" to "Let us go Out Into the Starry Night", John Patrick Shanley conveys his views of love and of the different people who are overly enveloped in love s grasp. However, the plays are not romantic; they are not pieces of literature that make the audience say "Oh! That was nice," in an overly sarcastic tone. The humor woven into the plot of each play allows the viewer and reader to thoroughly enjoy each play while taking away what Mr. Shanley intended them to. In my opinion, these short plays are some of the most well written, lightly satirical plays I have ever read. Furthermore, these plays are even more enjoyable to perform. Actors will be able to connect with the purposes and meaning of every play and will be able to perform them to the best of their abilities. My last note is this: after you read, watch, or perform any of the plays from John Patrick Shanley s "Welcome to the Moon and Other Plays," you will find that, while uncontrollably laughing, you have a better understanding of the human condition and the many variations of love.