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Funniest Plays

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LuPonatic
#1Funniest 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

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Broadwayluva
#2re: 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!

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Smaxie
#2re: 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.


Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.

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slimandslam
#3re: 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.

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slimandslam
#4re: Funniest Plays
Posted: 4/5/08 at 11:09pm

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

bwaylvsong
#5re: 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 re: Funniest Plays

LuPonatic Profile Photo
LuPonatic
#6re: 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!

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slimandslam
#7re: 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. re: Funniest Plays

bwaylvsong
#8re: Funniest Plays
Posted: 4/5/08 at 11:14pm

Slimandslam, great minds think alike! re: Funniest Plays

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slimandslam
#9re: 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)?

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slimandslam
#10re: Funniest Plays
Posted: 4/5/08 at 11:15pm

Slimandslam, great minds think alike!

And so do ours. re: Funniest Plays

LuPonatic Profile Photo
LuPonatic
#11re: 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!

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madbrian
#12re: Funniest Plays
Posted: 4/5/08 at 11:24pm

Funniest plays:
Noises Off
Arsenic and Old Lace
Auntie Mame


"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg." -- Thomas Jefferson

Gothampc
#13re: 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)


If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

Dyllew
#14re: 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!

bwaylvsong
#15re: Funniest Plays
Posted: 4/5/08 at 11:52pm

On that note, "Moon Over Buffalo."

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scaryclowns223
#16re: Funniest Plays
Posted: 4/6/08 at 12:23am

FUDDY MEERS

David Lindsay-Abaire.

One of the funniest plays I have ever read.

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wonderfulwizard11
#17re: Funniest Plays
Posted: 4/6/08 at 12:30am

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


I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.

A Director
#18re: 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?

LePetiteFromage
#19
Posted: 4/6/08 at 12:38am

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

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The White Half-Mask
#20re: 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.

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ggersten
#21re: 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.

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Marianne2
#22re: 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.


"I don't want the pretty lights to come and get me."-Homecoming 2005 "You can't pray away the gay."-Callie Torres on Grey's Anatomy. Ignored Users: suestorm, N2N Nate., Owen22, master bates

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Not Barker, Todd.
#23re: 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.


PLEASE! Do not post anything negative or dramatic! DidYouReallyHearMe has LOST the ability to ignore such posts and he will comment! Please, help him.


With Clay Aiken in Spamalot, all of Broadway is singing a collective "There! Right! There!" -Me-

"Not Barker, Todd is the only person I've ever known who could imitate Katherine Hepburn...in print." -nmartin-

SweetQintheLights
#24re: 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.


"How bout a little black dress?"~hannahshule "I have a penis, not a vagina." ~munkustrap178


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