Comedy

Ryan Spahn’s dark and delightful play brings audiences into the world of a community theatre production spinning rapidly out of control. The playwright discusses his inspirations and how he created this tense and thrilling mystery.

Choosing the right comedy for a high school production can set the stage for a fun, unforgettable experience for both student performers and the audience. Here are some of our most popular and well-loved comedies for teens.

Need a show that’s big on laughs but easy to stage? These crowd-pleasing small-cast titles keep things simple backstage while delivering serious fun onstage.

The musical Operation Mincemeat is a hilarious and quick-witted portrait of a British WWII deception plot involving a corpse, two crashed airplanes and the creator of James Bond. But who were the real-life agents behind this historic event?

Peruse three plays by the great dramatist Theresa Rebeck and consider telling her stories onstage.

Get into vacation mode with the three iconic “Suite” plays by award-winning playwright Neil Simon, who was born on the Fourth of July.

To celebrate the 45th anniversary of this uproarious farce, we spoke to co-author Billy Van Zandt — and the directors of a few recent productions – to explore the show’s continued success with audiences and creatives alike.

Hasna Muhammad, daughter of playwright/actor Ossie Davis, reflects on her father’s play Purlie Victorious and its connection to food and sustenance.

Ken Ludwig’s Lend Me a Soprano matches his hit Lend Me a Tenor in its doses of comedy while offering a feast of complex comedic roles for female actors.

Playwright Tim Firth shares a few thoughts on his new comedy Sheila’s Island, a sparkling, sharp-witted, all-female adaptation of his earlier hit Neville’s Island.

Clown Bar 2 is a hilariously wackadoo sequel to the enormously popular Clown Bar. Playwright Adam Szymkowicz, author of Kodachrome and Marion, or the True Tale of Robin Hood, recounts the tale of the show’s birth.

Actor/writer/comedian Kevin Stevens recounts his experience performing in a production of The Beaux’ Stratagem, George Farquar’s 1707 farce, which was adapted by Thornton Wilder and further adapted by Ken Ludwig.

It’s been five years since the off-Broadway premiere of Puffs! To celebrate, we had a chat with playwright Matt Cox about how the show was written and staged for the first time, and the enduring impact it’s had on audiences worldwide.

Sex Cells, a funny and poignant play set in the busy call centre for a sex toy manufacturer, has delighted audiences worldwide since its London debut in 2013. Playwright Anna Longaretti discusses the play, its themes and its continued relevance.

David Tristram is one of the UK’s most popular playwrights – his comedies have been performed more than 10,000 times by professional and amateur companies worldwide. We caught up with the man behind the mask to learn more.

Patrick Barlow’s hilarious and fast-paced whodunit is a theatrical treat. But before it was a hit play, The 39 Steps was a bestselling novel and several hit films. Here’s a look at The 39 Steps, from page to screen to stage.

Patrick Barlow’s stage adaptation of The 39 Steps is a fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theatre. Here are 39 steps to make your production of The 39 Steps a rousing success!

Get lost in the intrigue, suspense, tenderness and wit of these uplifting shows!

Thornton Wilder’s resplendent comedy The Matchmaker opened 65 years ago this month. Wilder’s nephew and literary executor, Tappan Wilder, discusses the play’s history and enduring appeal.

Take a moment to laugh at a selection of just some of the funniest lines in our plays!

Tony-winning playwright Ken Ludwig addresses our questions about the power of art during this challenging time.

Literary executors Laurence Maslon and David Pittu talk all things George S. Kaufman and why he remains one of the theatre’s master comic writers.

Suggestions of Alan Ayckbourn shows from UK groups to perform.

How do Neil Simon’s comedies, with their white, mostly middle-class, mostly urban New York Jewish characters, continue to draw audiences across the globe? Why do they hold up for decades after they were written, with nine of his plays surpassing the half-century mark? Dramaturg Susan Myer Silton explores the enduring relevancy of one of the masters of comedy: Neil Simon.

Drama director David O’Hara didn’t expect to fall in love with the 80’s when he directed Ken Davenport’s The Awesome 80s Prom, not once, but twice!

Playwright Phil Porter shares an insight in his creative process and rewriting Roman comedy in classical farce Vice Versa.

Raymond Allen discusses his hit sitcom Some Mother’s Do ‘Ave ‘Em, which has recently been adapted for stage by Guy Unsworth.

“No one ever has their first play published. It just doesn’t happen.” Kris Vosler, author of A Good Old Fashioned Redneck Country Christmas, defied the odds and proved the axiom wrong.

Playwright Leon Kaye explains the genesis of his dark comedy, in which two women plot to murder an insufferable girl who hopes to marry into their family.

College theatremaker Michael Williams Jr. describes the experience of premiering Murder With Grace, Leon Kaye’s delightful dark comedy inspired by the work of Jane Austen.