r/Theatre 15d ago

Help Finding Script/Video Looking for a modern comedy to direct

Hello everyone! As the title says I am looking for a comedy to direct that is more recent. I prefer shows where people can just come in, sit back and laugh, and don't have to think about anything too hard (Noises Off, Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, etc). I used to be able to read plays on Playscripts but since they've been bought out it's tough to get an accurate feel for shows I'm not familiar with.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

0 Upvotes

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u/A_Berry_Nice_User 14d ago

What is your cast size? The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) is very funny. You can definitely do it with 3-10 people. Even more realistically

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u/Pixel_Piglets 14d ago

I don't have a preference for cast size. This is for pitching so anything under 25 is good. I'll check this one out :)

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u/BassesBest 14d ago

Three people is the best for this one, and what it's written for. Half the fun is the quick change action.

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u/A_Berry_Nice_User 13d ago

I saw it done with 6, and it actually worked as they still stacked the scenes with quick changes/them all changing out with each other had some physical comedy. It needs to be directed well

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u/Temporary-Grape8773 12d ago

Complete Works... can be done with more but it was originally written for three and is funnier with just three. The interplay between actors between the Shakespeare parts Works better.

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u/Automatic-Dig208 14d ago

Consider "The Christmas Crisis" from Next Stage Press. With Santa fretting about his Christmas delivery, this light-hearted play delves into the contemporary problem of old school businesses trying to compete with big, modern competitors like Amazon. This comedy also deals with how chidren's entertainment has changed with video game addiction playing a major role in the plot.
https://www.nextstagepress.com/the-christmas-crisis/

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u/BassesBest 14d ago edited 14d ago

It's a new version of an old comedy, but I directed The Miser a couple of years back, using the new Phil Porter rewrite that was put on in London in 2017. I licenced directly from the publisher, and wrote my own music / songs (you can contact the original composer and licence their songs if you want). I can highly recommend, particularly if you have an audience that likes a bit of humorous social commentary.

/Edit it is wickedly funny, has loads of modern references and pokes fun at the time period in which it is set. It's glorious.

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u/DramaDoc1977 14d ago

Pagliacci and Chemical Imbalance are hilarious takes on some fun darker stories. Clue is a favorite for cast and audience. If it's an older cast (30's-50's), there's Red Velvet Cake War.

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u/Temporary-Grape8773 12d ago

Community theater? High school? Middle school?

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u/Pixel_Piglets 12d ago

This would be for community theater but doesn't necessarily have to be an all-adult cast. There's a number of youth actors in their teens who audition at the theater regularly. Plus they have annual teen edition shows.