Funniest Plays

#1

Funniest Plays

Posted: 4/5/08 at 10:55pm

I'm looking for some really funny plays for my community theatre. These plays need to have a reasonably sized cast (10 or less) and just be, in your opinion, side-splittingly funny. Some examples I know are Noises Off and The Foreigner. anyone have any suggestions?

On a seperate note, should "side-splittingly" be hyphenated? and is that how you spell "hyphenated"? ... THANKS!

Updated On: 4/5/08 at 10:55 PM

#2

re: Funniest Plays

Posted: 4/5/08 at 10:59pm

Odd Couple (I've heard it was hilarious) and the Sunshine Boys are coming to my head - best of luck with whatever you choose!

#3

re: Funniest Plays

Posted: 4/5/08 at 11:00pm

Although it's lined with tragedy, I do think The House of Blue Leaves is a brilliantly funny play.

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#4

re: Funniest Plays

Posted: 4/5/08 at 11:08pm

The first ones that came to mind:

Beyond Therapy (Christopher Durang)
Reverse Psychology (Charles Ludlam)
Absurd Person Singular (Alan Ayckbourn)

On the Razzle (Tom Stoppard) is a hoot and a half, but the cast is too big. And don't try Noises Off unless you have a very big set budget.

#5

re: Funniest Plays

Posted: 4/5/08 at 11:09pm

"Side-splittingly" should be hyphenated. (And note the spelling.)

#6

re: Funniest Plays

Posted: 4/5/08 at 11:12pm

"Squabbles" is basically a live sit-com, and seems to be like what you have in mind.
"Enchanted April" was kind of dull in the first act but hilarious in the second.

and the phrase "side-splittingly" is hyphenated

#7

re: Funniest Plays

Posted: 4/5/08 at 11:12pm

I was actually just in a production of Noises Off. Believe me, we do NOT have the budget for a set for that show!

#8

re: Funniest Plays

Posted: 4/5/08 at 11:13pm

Much Ado about Nothing (Shakespeare) also belongs in the "side-splittingly funny" category. On the minus side, the cast is too big. On the plus side, the rights are cheap.

#9

re: Funniest Plays

Posted: 4/5/08 at 11:14pm

Slimandslam, great minds think alike!

#10

re: Funniest Plays

Posted: 4/5/08 at 11:14pm

I was actually just in a production of Noises Off. Believe me, we do NOT have the budget for a set for that show!

Then how did you manage to turn the set around for Act Two (with staircases on both sides)?

#11

re: Funniest Plays

Posted: 4/5/08 at 11:15pm

Slimandslam, great minds think alike!

And so do ours.

#12

re: Funniest Plays

Posted: 4/5/08 at 11:18pm

This was at a different theatre, where we had a most excellent rotating stage. Best show I have ever done!

#13

re: Funniest Plays

Posted: 4/5/08 at 11:24pm

Funniest plays:
Noises Off
Arsenic and Old Lace
Auntie Mame

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#14

re: Funniest Plays

Posted: 4/5/08 at 11:30pm

I second "The House of Blue Leaves"

Crimes of the Heart

The Mystery of Irma Vep (drawback the cast is only 2 men)

Greater Tuna (drawback the cast is only 2 men)

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#15

re: Funniest Plays

Posted: 4/5/08 at 11:34pm

Lend me a Tenor (Ken Ludwig)
or
Shakespeare in Hollywood (Ken Ludwig)

both very funny plays by a very funny playwright!

#16

re: Funniest Plays

Posted: 4/5/08 at 11:52pm

On that note, "Moon Over Buffalo."

#17

re: Funniest Plays

Posted: 4/6/08 at 12:23am

FUDDY MEERS

David Lindsay-Abaire.

One of the funniest plays I have ever read.

#18

re: Funniest Plays

Posted: 4/6/08 at 12:30am

You Can't Take it With You is quite funny as well.

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#19

re: Funniest Plays

Posted: 4/6/08 at 12:37am

Arsenic and Old Lace, Auntie Mame and You Can't Take It With You have more than 10 characters.

I don't think time has been kind to The Odd Couple.

Moon Over Buffalo is lame with lots of plot holes.

What about Charley's Aunt?

#20

Posted: 4/6/08 at 12:38am

Updated On: 5/7/09 at 12:38 AM

#21

re: Funniest Plays

Posted: 4/6/08 at 12:53am

My university put on a production of "Rumours" by Neil Simon last fall, & it was one the funniest plays that I've ever seen.

#22

re: Funniest Plays

Posted: 4/6/08 at 1:15am

Besides Noises Off, The Foreigner, Auntie Mame, Lend Me A Tenor House of Blue Leaves and Charley's Aunt, I would suggest Laughter on the 23d Floor - Other than Noises Off, I don't think I ever laughed longer and harder than at that show - except a half hour afterwards I could barely recall any jokes.

Man Who Came to Dinner is very funny as well.

#23

re: Funniest Plays

Posted: 4/6/08 at 1:26am

I was just gonna say Neil Simon's Rumors. Actually, I read that yesterday for an audition for it in a community theater where I live. I believe there is only 1 set for the entire production too. Actually, almost any comedy by Neil Simon is probably really good. He's just a good writer, in my opinion.

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#24

re: Funniest Plays

Posted: 4/6/08 at 1:41am

I am currently in a production of Lindsay-Abaire's "Kimberly Akimbo". I love it. 5 person cast, and hillarious.

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#25

re: Funniest Plays

Posted: 4/6/08 at 1:55am

Well, if it can be a musical, I suggest Avenue Q.

Because it's a small cast, they would need to be mighty talented and be able to multi task very well.

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