Recommended by Susan Middaugh

Vivian Lermond is excellent at coming to the point of conflict in her short plays. These characters must be older because they're not afraid of decisions or consequences.

A chance meeting at a sperm bank by two men, who are strangers to one another, validates them both. John gives a new meaning to the phrase, Direct Deposit. Very well done.

A powerful play that starts out going in what appears to be one direction, then does a 180. Deep, literate and humanly feminist. Congratulations.

A hard-charging businesswoman is brought up short by the news of her terminal illness and an 18th century clockmaker in her attic who offers her a choice to beat the odds. Will she opt for the Lady or the Tiger? An intriguing cautionary tale.

A 21st century woman speaks up in a loud voice when their male landlord makes assumptions that aren't warranted and her male roommate lets the landlord get away with it. Lucretia Mott, Betty Friedan and Gloria Steinem would be proud of Lainie.

Very scary situation especially for a woman alone in a cab with a driver who acts off kilter. Even scarier ending because Molly appeals to our imagination. Why does the guy keep clicking his pen? Well done.

Liked the line: "I'd rather call an ambulance." Her husband's letters to Lily are very reassuring and comforting -- until she goes into labor. Then reality enters in the form of her mother, Janis, at just the right moment.

Kerr Lockhart's play had a staged reading last week in Baltimore; it's up for consideration to be produced this summer by the Baltimore Playwrights Festival. Riveting, complex, absorbing. If I had a vote, he'd have it for this intense play about moral choices that are difficult and which have disturbing consequences for innocent people whom the main character knows and can relate to. The play goes back and forth in time and yet it was easy to follow. Excellent work, Kerr.

A nice surprise at the end of this play that I didn't foresee. A subtle commentary on what's important in the choice of a husband -- very clever.

Two characters are running away from their mutual enemy. So far, they've stayed together. But Two is fed up with One's dependence and threatens to leave. One, claiming magical powers, tries to persuade Two not to go. Two isn't buying it -- but should have. Suspenseful, futuristic, good job!