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PLAYS
ANGELS UNAWARES
1 W, 1 M, 1 either
1 set - exterior of a cabin
One act (40 minutes)
In a hollow in Appalachia a mysterious stranger visits a difficult old couple. The man is secretive and abusive. The woman
tries to protect the stranger, but will only go so far. It becomes increasingly clear that the stranger has supernatural powers
– is, in fact, under orders to take the woman to heaven and bring about the End of the World. But against all logic,
she refuses to go until she knows her horror of a husband will be all right; and the angel is forced to confront its own preconceptions
about just what God has in mind.
COMMENTS: Based on an old Korean legend, this “comedy about the end of the
world” is full of surprises, both for the Angel and for us. As God says to Isaiah in the Bible, “My ways are not
your ways…” Three strong roles for good actors and a strong central action make this a special play.
CAROLS FOR MR. SCROOGE
A Christmas Carol
Another Christmas Carol
See details under "Religious"
A DREAM OF A MURDER
3 W, 3 M
One interior set – a study
Two acts
Jikki Jonners
has had a hard time making her living as a detective, and things don’t look much better when she’s brought in
by a rich man to catch an embezzler in the family. They don’t improve when the rich man is murdered… and she
keeps drifting off in dreams. Are they telling her something about the murder? Or about herself?
COMMENTS: The
segues from reality to dream are gradual and smooth. Jikki is an appealing detective, because she’s such an underdog.
Murder will out.
GETTING THERE IS HALF THE FUN
Nine or more W or M
Minimal set
One act –
twenty minutes
The government offers protection to a controversial foreign figure by putting him in jail –
and then there’s no way to get him out.
COMMENTS: This satire utilizes a chorus alternating with scenes.
An excellent choice for a group interested in an experiment in political theater, and in the use of a chorus.
THE GOOD OLD DAYS
2 W, 2 M
Simple set
Thirty five minutes
Musical
Albert begins his residence
in a senior citizens home by meeting people and finding out what interests them. Their varied experiences are reflected in
song.
COMMENTS: More music than dialogue. An excellent show for a cast of older people who can sing.
HAPPINESS HOUSE
See details under "Religious"
I’VE GOT THE WORLD BY THE EARS
3 W, 3 M
1 setting – an office
Two acts
A political campaign is disturbed when it discovers it’s
using subliminal advertising – and it had no idea! Will conscience win out? Wait a minute – this is politics!
And a fired employee has ideas of his own…
COMMENTS: A fast-paced political satire with an excellent “hook”.
No production problems here – just keep it moving!
KIRK WOODWARD TONIGHT
1 M (or W if desired)
No set
Ten minutes
Kirk Woodward – nothing like any Kirk Woodward one might know – encounters
the audience at a pivotal moment in his obscure life and relives several baffling episodes with the aid of various props and
imaginary characters. The show, he muses, might make a good subject for a one-person show…
COMMENTS: A satire
on its genre, using many of the most familiar tricks of the one-person show. There is no need to know anything about the actual
Kirk Woodward; the one in this piece appears to be vaguely French, but really, who cares. The (one-person) play’s the
thing.
PILGRIMS’ FEET, or, Scapino Discovers the New World
Nine or more W or M
Flexible staging
Two acts
Scapino signs on a ship bound for the new world and meets explorers, cardinals, adventurers, sailors…
everyone you’d expect, and they’re all nuts. The new world doesn’t turn out as Scapino expects, either,
and he strikes out for a land even further away from civilization.
COMMENTS: Rich satire on just about everything.
A strong Monty Python feeling. One of our favorites. See sample dialogue.
SHERLOCK HOLMES IN AMERICA
2
W, 7 M
Flexible setting
Two acts
The disappearance of the fiancée of Watson’s niece lead
Holmes and Watson on a chase across the United States that involves danger, mystery, and a plot to overthrow the very Constitution
of the nation.
COMMENTS: Everyone loves a Holmes play! An excellent actors’ showcase.
WHO’S
WHO IN MURDER
12 either W or M
One setting – a library
Fifty minutes
A panel discussion of
mystery writers takes an unexpected turn when one of its members is murdered. Various participants might or might not have
done it; for that matter, various people might or might not be the police! We find out…
COMMENTS: Winner
of the Hardin County Playwriting Competition in 1990, this play is a treat for any mystery-oriented audience.
THE WRONG PARTY
4 W, 6 M
One interior – a living room
Two acts
Shirley and Dick are giving
a party on which Dick’s career may depend. The guest of honor isn’t at all what they expect, and neither are the
first guests, including two foreign political rivals, a psychic, and a woman with a lot of jewels. Chaos ensues. Something
is wrong… but what? With whom?
COMMENTS: Modeled after You Can’t Take It With You, and with the same
casting requirements. Uproarious.
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