Recommended by Susan Middaugh

Marj does a sneaky but effective and funny job of turning our assumptions about Mrs. Claus upside down in her interview with Joshua. When he finally figures out what's going on, she puts him on the defensive so successfully that he apologizes. But the audience knows he should be grateful that the interview has gone south to the lower 48. A MeToo play for men.

Julia writes here about two unpredictable characters -- a homeless old woman who rages against injustices to women especially those who have been sexually abused and a young woman who finds her intriguing instead of insulting. Instead of turning away, the young woman invites the old one into her home. Later when the old one declines, the young one sits on the sidewalk with her and share a cigarette. Riveting, dark, a commentary on royalty and those who have suffered.

In keeping with his nature as an artist, Vincent Van Gogh refers to Paul Gauguin by invoking colors. It is Gauguin's treatment of him and his disdain for Van Gogh's work that drives him to cut off his ear. Rachel's love for him doesn't dissuade him from doing so. The characters of Vincent and Rachel are well balanced in their strength and in their ability to argue with one another. Donna's use of a hand mirror is an excellent prop in this scene. Rachel's reaction to potential violence and rape is one that reflects her world, not ours.

Donna gives new meaning to planned obsolescence. A wife wishes her husband, who has had 3 heart attacks, would expire. She cajoles his doctor in pulling the plug - unsuccessfully. This short play takes several fun twists and turns; plus there's a surprise ending.

Patrick uses the what if premise very well here. What if a modern day farmer hated Beatrix Potter so much that he was able to go back in time to threaten her before she finished writing Peter Rabbit? Rabbits are creating havoc on his small farm and his rich neighbors have lobbied for a law that prevents him from shooting the critters. Beatrix listens to his concerns but then turns on the charm and ultimately turns the tables on him. Great fun, ingenious, well done, Patrick.

This play is part comedy, part serious -- about a first date that goes into unpredictable directions. He imagines being a giant vegetable who takes exception to her in a threatening way. She is equal in her response but kindly. At the end Hovanesian raises the question for the audience to surmise: Will they have a second date?

John Minigan knows film noir, then takes it in a new direction that's fun and entertaining. His love interest, Vera, is a Mormon. He also spoofs on therapists and mild mannered men who could be superman but want to get married. Very enjoyable.

This spoof has just enough reality in it to be scary. Omnivorous big box warehouses that would rather replace workers with robots but bribe humans with free meals so they won't leave their jobs. A clever sex scene between Henry and Warehousia. Effective use of jargon to make the setting and characters seem real.

Very clever word play that draws on double entendre and amusing repartee with lots of double and triple crosses by the 3 characters. Good pacing and plenty of surprises.

In this madcap farce, the ghost of Chang's mother offers him advice about taking the initiative in dating as well as the kind of underwear he should wear. While he quotes Edgar Allan Poe, she smokes cigarettes and encourages him to put some distance between his fool of a father and his shrew of a stepmother.