Looking for Play to Direct

[Vijay]

I'm looking for a play to direct. I have directed "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" by Edward Albee and I wanted to direct "The Birthday Party" by Harold Pinter but unfortunately I found out that he froze the rights to his plays because "The Homecoming" is on Broadway. I noticed "Fuddy Meers" which looks promising but unfortunately QBPublic Library doesn't have a copy. I am waiting on a copy from B&N.

Can anyone recommend a play for me? Small cast, dark comedy, character driven, preferably American (In that regard I'm glad not to do Pinter). The stage is a community theater which was formally a chapel. It's sort of three quarter thrust.

So I'm open to reading whatever. My time frame is open right now. Don't know when I'll direct it but would like to start thinking about it.

Thanks in advance.

[Letitia]

I would consider Lobby Hero. It's not exactly a dark comedy, more a dramedy (drama-comedy) but it meets all your other requirements.

There is also a new play that my brother-in-law was recently in called In the Sawtooths. The cast is three men. It's a lovely play, from a new playwright named Dano Madden.

[Vijay]

Thanks! I haven't heard of these two but I will check them out.

[Mary]

The Beauty Queen Of Leenane is great and often called a dark comedy. An american play?? Hmmm, Steve Martin's Picasso At The Lapin Agile isn't exactly "dark" but IS woderful, with a fairly small cast. Good luck!!!: )

[Danielle]

I just read a collection of plays by Sarah Ruhl (The Clean House, Eurydice, Melancholy Play, LATE: A Cowboy Song) I really enjoyed "The Clean House" and "Eurydice." "The Clean House" has a smaller cast and the most intriguing set possibilities. It is a great full-length comedy, I wouldn't categorize it as a "dark comedy," but definitely has some deeper, more intense moments.

[Nessie]

Why not try "Black Comedy" by Peter Shaffer? The gimmick of the play is that it begins in blackness, the audience cannot see a thing, but can hear the play taking place on stage. Then the lights "go out" and the audience can see what is happening, but the characters cannot see a thing. Very funny, but I remember that the setting is somewhat complex, a second level and a open trap door are needed if I remember correctly.

"Fuddy Meers" would be a good choice if you can get a copy. I would also suggest "Loot" or any play by Joe Orton. Have fun!

[Randy]

"Fuddy Meers" is a great choice. Another possibility is one I'd like to direct some day--"Early One Evening at the Rainbow Bar and Grille." Also, have you looked at any of Lanford Wilson's stuff? There's a lot of dark humor in his work. BTW, I'm also a director.

[Jenna]

Hi, I am new here. I would agree with those who have said _Fuddy Meers_ would be a good choice. I have seen two productions of it, and find, when directed well, to be absolutely hilarious, but dark, a touch macabre, and requires some excellent actors.

[Thobbit1217]

I have been involved in theater for almost 10 yrs At Northlan Pioneer College untill I moves some plays i was in are, Annie, Cardino, Much Ado About Nothing, Radium Girls, Once Upon a Matress, Man of Malncha, All I really Need to Know I learned in Kindergarten , Intimations from the Brook.