Recommended by Philip Middleton Williams

It took just a couple of lines for me to be transported back to Ries Records at the Westgate Shopping Center in Toledo. This adorable short play by Adam Richter has Santa's helpers doing some discreet recon at the record shop and purchasing for their own list of toys, and you can feel the love for both them and the place where they're finding the right gifts for the right reasons. Thanks, Adam, for the vinyl memories, hopes, and dreams.

What the Hell? There’s a new kid in town? I guess seven deadly sins isn’t enough, or at least according to this fun little piece by Kieran Khanna. It’s imaginative, funny and very insightful. This would make a very nice palette cleanser for some Christmas festival and be very helpful for Santa‘s naughty or nice list.

This hilarious short play, done almost all in silence, is a masterpiece of acting and intentions. Emily McClain deftly directs her three characters to make the most of their skills on stage and using the little moments and movements to tell a story where words are not needed. Modern audiences may not remember silent film stars like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, but this will teach them that all it takes is a look to tell the truth.

Shades of William Inge's "Bus Stop" and perhaps a nod to "The Twilight Zone," Hilary Bluestein-Lyons takes us to a small-town diner and two travelers who find themselves in a place that seems eerily familiar. Ellen and Nancy and Renee and Lou are great characters for actors, and even though it's a short play, it would be a fun play to design and produce.

While this could be a great teaser for a scary Christmas-themed suspense story, it's also a very nicely and cleverly-made cautionary tale... plus it's just plain funny. The actors would have great time re-enacting one of the classic Acting 101 exercises: "It's December and you're outside. Go!" Even more than just that, though; it's leaving us wanting more, the way a good story should be.

I will never be able to hear that stupid song again without giggling thanks to this hilarious ten minutes of unvarnished truth about a newborn and the suffering parents. Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend does not miss a beat -- sorry, drum metaphor -- and gets everyone in on the act. Oh, it opens up so many imaginative different versions, too..."The Little Bagpiper" and "We Three Kings with Accordions!" Go for it, Lisa!

The story is simple: a chance meeting by two lonely people in a bus station in the middle of nowhere. The conversation begins simply enough, but leads to moments of self discovery and realization, and both of them make a connection and an understanding of the struggles that they have faced in their lives. Franky Gonzalez tells us about them with compassion and hope growing out of desperation and fear, and when the story is over, you wish them the best on their journey.

Leave it to the imagination of Matthew Weaver to take a title and turn it into a buddy comedy with shades of Beckett. Old Clown and Elephant are as real and relatable as your fantasy can make them, and with all the humanity and pachyderm-ity that's needed -- and more -- to make this short piece as funny and as touching as possible. I've learned to never underestimate Weaver's abilities, and this reaches for the stars.

So, tell the truth: what do you daydream about when you're doing something mundane such as washing the Thanksgiving dinner dishes and the family is still in the dining room chortling over the election? If you're Heather, you are whisked away to a fantasy world of well-muscled heroes who fight for your affection -- with consent, of course -- and you are the ruler of a fair and just land. Is this "The Princess Bride" or "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty"? Begone, dull world! Gummies for all!

The idea that band kids could form a League of Musical Justice is absolutely the coolest thing to envision for those who get no respect from the so-called Kool Kidz. Monica Cross has the perfect set-up for the story and hits all the right notes. I am sure that when word gets out that there's a short play for them and does everything to lift them up, they'll take it from the top and have a great time, and so will the audience.