Recommended by D. Lee Miller

Emma Goldlman-Sherman's ABSTRACT PARENTS bares the fears of adoption, along with the workings of a marriage. This play is a wonderful view of the outset of adoption - the thoughts and feelings that pummel adoptive parents and just why people adopt in the first place. It is also good for birth parents that have not considered adoptive parents. This is a well-written, character driven play that would fare well in any festival. Kudos to Goldman-Sherman for exposing this rarely seen corner of life!

Although LOVE TRUST ESCALATION is a well-written play by Robert LeBlanc, a wonderful writer - my dream casting is Carol Burnett and Harvey Korman. They did sketches - and this has more to it than that - but the hilarity that ensues when the truths come out can be as broad as you'd like. Cheers to LeBlanc for this comedy!

Kudos to Jennifer O'Grady and her play TOMORROW OR NEXT YEAR, for bringing to light a subject that gets glossed over by most of the stories of school shootings. The afterwards. The PTSD. How our children take in what has happened to them. In this play, Caroline and McKenzie, high schoolers, show us how they are dealing - or not dealing - with this terrifying problem. They are not the Parkland kids... or maybe they are. A compelling play that all should see.

I am a sucker for plays in the early part of last century -- but when a play gives you Billie Holiday and Artie Shaw -- Great news! The other great news is that LAST NIGHT IN THE LINCOLN HOTEL by Adam Richter fulfills its promise: a great story, two captivating characters and a conflict still being fought today. This was a red-letter night. It's also a well-written play that you'll want to see live. - And need I point out, I think Billie Holiday is remembered better today than Mr. Shaw.

It would be too easy to call this mystery simply a British Law and Order, because the character development and timely revelations are handled deftly by Rachel Feeny-Williams. The realistic dialogue and story are a draw and this could well-anchor a night of one acts.

POSITIVE+1 by Neil Radtke should be seen in all high schools - and junior high schools. This is a thorough 'What if?' story about teen pregnancy. The difference? Young women are more aware - which is reflected in this and young men -- maybe need to be shaken twice to wake up to this situation. Well written in a brisk 10 minutes, these teens say what they mean. Radtke sends a wake-up call with teens that say what they mean. Get this play out there in the world!

A fun 10 minute play by Vince Gatton, PROTOCOLS is a well-written, nervously funny play which exists as a story between two brothers. Vampires? Zombies? What I love is this strange world is securely set in a family situation, bathing the audience in universal fear. I was enough in the dark to be unnerved all the way through! Produce this!

Marj O'Neill Butler has written a short tense thriller centered in a haunted house -- There is more here than meets the eye. If this makes you think of Halloween, you'd be right -- but it works for any night of chills! Good dialogue and a treat for actors and audiences!

In FLOATS, Scott Sickles creates a two person story that is clarified painfully with bits of truth. Heartbreak, hope, sorrow and loss underscore the confrontation between Joanie and Ken, the father of her child. There are also glancing blows of anti-Asian sentiment and possibly some self-hate. The tension in this confrontation is the toe in the door. You can only imagine what will happen when their child meets her father. A unique addition to any evening of plays.

Debbie Lamedman lands a punch with the clever Lack of Moisture. The play tells the story of a marriage in wonderful dialogue and subtext. The clues in the state of this marriage are beautifully crafted and the true situation sneaks up on you. A wonderful play!