Recommended by John Busser

Well, it's not like he didn't have it coming. Jacquie Floyd takes no backtalk from any doofus of a Prince who just can't help but voice his stupidity. And she skips all the messy story and just provides a hilariously happy ending.

On the one hand, it sounds like the adventure of a lifetime, but on the other, this person NEEDS me. Do I serve myself or others? This is what Miranda Jonte’s monologue ultimately asks. And I can’t imagine a tougher choice. I’m glad I don’t have to make it. And gladder still that Miranda's character Ellis can. I would love to see the choice made. Please Ellis, let us know.

Winning ain't everything, as Mary finds out in this absurdly comic piece by Jack Levine. As the customer just finding out she won (something) while trying to buy a gift for Dad, the clerk constantly confuses, confounds and basically steamrolls over her while presenting her with the Customer of the Century award (whatever that is). Like any good salesman, James never lets Mary get what she really wants, but more like what James wants to get rid of. A funny two-hander that is worth the price.

I am always up for writing with extensive wordplay in it, and Jack Levine does not disappoint. Ans he ups both the cliches and the stakes, the audience reaps the benefit. I loved the back and forth banter showing that both characters could give as well as they take. There's a lot to laugh at here and believe it or not, a few things to learn. I, for instance, had never heard the cliche, "as keen as mustard." But now that I have, I really have to figure out a way to use it.

Success involves a certain amount of risk, and here we meet Pamela who's traded in that success for the safety and comfort of settling. Enid Cokinos presents us with a very relatable character in Pamela. Who can't identify with wanting to take the easy road when it makes life... pretty good. Just not satisfying. THAT is where taking a chance comes in. Luckily, we also meet Ezra, a Guardian Angel/Life Coach/Supernatural Motivator who wants to deliver a spiritual kick in the pants that Pamela needs. Thanks to him, we learn that chasing your dream is definitely worth it.

I was charmed by Enid Cokinos' two-hander about a woman running out of time and a man with far too much. Each might want what the other has, but upon examination, perhaps it's best to lie in the bed of one's own making instead. This play, although not world-shaking, still has some important things to say about how a person spends that precious commodity of time. And we are treated to a satisfying conclusion where the characters each get a little of something they truly want. How rewarding is that?

What a delightful 10 minute ghost story without the requisite scares and horror. I mean, why do we always assume a ghost has ill intent? Sometimes they just want to tidy up. Enid Cokinos' Mertle is just such a spirit, and it would be a shame to exorcise her out of a place that is so in need of her services. Caroline and Frannie are lucky to have her. With 4 great roles for women, this is a house that SHOULD be haunted.

A wonderful exercise in restraint. To only use 30 different words to tell a story that is still meaningful, precise and complete, is pretty hard to do. Deb Cole manages it with a deft touch. Neat.

As heart-breaking a reminder that tragedy has multiple victims, that include family, even if they were never the target. A grieving mother speaks volumes here and part of what she says is driven by different demons than those of the son who committed the actual crimes. Asher Wyndham never disappoints with his monologues and I defy you not to be moved by this.

Hindsight is certainly 20/20, but if everyone had the benefit of it, they probably wouldn't need it. Desdemona here suffered from a lack of it more than most; lost her respect in Othello's eyes, then her life at his hands. But Vivian Lermond gives her back the chance to maybe help out some future foolish woman out to stick it to Daddy. This monologue is both sad and funny, and that's what makes her monologues sing. Another winner, Vivian.