Looking for funny modern play to read- Page 2

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 3/9/16 at 11:19pm

Martin McDonagh was a strong contender on the "most disturbing plays" thread, but I think he'd be equally at home in this one.

 

I've read his plays, and then seen them performed, and they were so much funnier onstage than I'd even imagined. Talented actors make all the difference, which is why I'm so looking forward to seeing Beauty Queen Of Leenane for the first time.

 

Original 1996 production coming to New York/Boston/Chicago/ L.A sometime 2016/17. -watch this space!

Updated On: 3/9/16 at 11:19 PM

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 3/9/16 at 11:44pm

WaltG2 said: "Do any of y'all recommend (or recommend against) the print copies "The Flick" [...]"

 

I wouldn't really call The Flick a comedy, but it's very good, and some might argue it's even better on page than stage.

[After Eight]

Posted: 3/10/16 at 2:46am

"Do any of y'all recommend (or recommend against) the print copies "The Flick" & "Seminar"?"

 

Against. I haven't read either; watching them on stage was bad enough. Seminar was bad; The Flick was excruciatingly bad. I can't imagine how painful it would be to try to plough through the latter.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 3/10/16 at 4:15am

Don't listen to After Eight, he hates anything written after his birth year of 1902. The Flick is an excellent play, and Annie Baker is one of the most exciting contemporary playwrights being produced right now.

As far as recent comedies go, I loved Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. I also love anything by Sarah Ruhl or Martin McDonagh (specifically my favorite plays of theirs are Eurydice and The Pillowman, though I don't know that I would call either a comedy in the traditional sense).

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 3/10/16 at 5:04am

Noises Off. 

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 3/10/16 at 5:05am

Noises Off. 

[After Eight]

Posted: 3/10/16 at 6:47am

"Don't listen to After Eight,"

 

Listen to me.

 

I know what's funny, and I know what's good --- and bad.

[tazber]

Posted: 3/10/16 at 6:55am

No, you absolutely do not.

 

 

[WaltG2]

Posted: 3/10/16 at 9:14am

Thanks again, all! I'm really racking up quite a reading list here.

 

Someone else suggested "Fully Committed" (hitting Broadway soon, I believe). Any insights onto whether that one makes a good read?

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 3/10/16 at 10:14am

The Tale of the Allergist's Wife
 

[BakerWilliams]

Posted: 3/10/16 at 1:32pm

The Flick is a masterpiece. I saw it 6 times and laughed at the beginning and sobbed at the end. I read it and the power is still there in the words.

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 3/10/16 at 1:53pm

Circle Mirror Transformation is also really, really good, she does such a good job touching sweetly on the ways people can be both caustic and healing towards one another.

[Les Phantom ofWicked]

Posted: 3/10/16 at 2:12pm

never mind

Updated On: 3/10/16 at 02:12 PM

[Les Phantom ofWicked]

Posted: 3/10/16 at 2:12pm

never mind

Updated On: 3/10/16 at 02:12 PM

[jwsel]

Posted: 3/10/16 at 4:45pm

I'm surprised that nobody mentioned God of Carnage (or did I miss a mention).  It won the Tony for best play and the Olivier for best new comedy in 2009.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/10/16 at 5:07pm

There is a collection of four plays on Amazon by Annie Baker called The Vermont Plays (Circle Mirror Transformation is among them) and it is essential reading. The Flick has funny moments, and although not a full blown comedy it is a must view/read too. My favorite Baker play thus far has been John and once it's published you should get your hands on it too. 

 

Vanya is quiet funny, as were Mr Burns and One Man Two Guvnors, though I don't know how much of the latter's antics will transfer to the page. 

 

Other Desert Cities is another play most would classify as a drama, but it has some very, very funny zingers in it, especially if you imagine Stockard and Judith Light/Linda Lavin saying them. 

 

Lavin also starred in The Lyons, which has caustic jokes and some serious moments too. 

 

Although not "modern" The Norman Conquests is smart, clever and insanely hilarious. 

 

Annie Baker should be your top priority though. 

 

Updated On: 3/10/16 at 05:07 PM

[forgetregret]

Posted: 3/10/16 at 5:10pm

Speech and Debate. 

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/10/16 at 5:17pm

Thought of two more that have plenty of laughs, though I would call them overall dramas: Good People and Sons of the Prophet. I have no idea if the humor will be apparent on the page, but in performance the laughs are there. Either way, you'll be better for reading them. 

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 3/10/16 at 7:07pm

After Eight said: ""Moose Murders" is on my reading list, so I'm open to terrible."

 

 

 

Moose Murders dates from 1983, which makes it, according to your definition, not "modern."

 

 

 

But it's good you have it on your list. It was outrageously, flamboyantly bad, but at the same time, hilariously so. I don't know if it will come off as funny on the printed page as it did on stage. But one thing is certain: it was a hell of a lot more enjoyable than some of the horrors suggested to you in this thread.

 

 

 

"

(Emphasis added.)

 

As this may be the only time I ever agree with After Eight, I want to mark the moment.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 3/11/16 at 8:54am

"Becky Shaw" by Gina Gionfriddo.  The funniest play on the page I've read in decades.  It's absolutely fresh.