I began writing plays in 2002 simply because I never had, but had always wanted to. I'd written and published short fiction in small press magazines, award-winning technical articles for the jewelry industry, newspaper columns, even worked on a couple of TV pilots...but had never tackled a script for the stage, despite being a life-long (albeit amateur) actor.

My first production came in 2003. Since then my plays have been produced at small theatres and festivals around the country and in the UK, picked up a few awards along the way and have been published by Smith & Kraus and Heuer. I truly consider each production and each publication a genuine gift and an unexpected blessing.

I invite you to explore my work, which is listed below. Excerpts are available for each, along with information on how to obtain complete scripts.

On other pages you'll also find periodic updates on pending productions, a submission log, links to theatres that have been kind enough to produce my shows and other playwriting happenings.

I appreciate your interest. Enjoy.

peace & power,
John Shanahan

   

updates

track

links

contact


Walpole Footlighters, 2008


Dinner for Several
All Carter Sullivan wanted to do was make a quiet dinner for his date. So how did he end up cooking for her, her roommate, his ex-girlfriend, his roommate, and his roommate's friend? A funny look at love and relationships and the foolish things we do for them. 4 women, 3 men. Full unit set. 2 hours.


>Read the first act!
>See production photos
>Request a free perusal copy
>read the backstory

Winner of the 2004 James Sunwall New Play Award.

"...quick, comic and perfectly plotted. A thinking person's Friends."
--Sidney Homan, Acrosstown Rep

"...a laugh-filled take on singlehood and coupling."--Jim Dorman, Patriot Ledger


Curtain Call Theatre, 2006

One Before Forty
Kevin Gable turns forty tomorrow. Eight months ago he vowed that if he hadn't found someone to be with by the time he hit the big four-oh, he was done with dating. Now the woman he's always waited for has walked into his life...why is that such a bad thing? A full-length romantic comedy. 3 men, 2 women. Simple set. 90 minutes.

>Read the first act!  
>See production photos
    
>Request a free perusal copy

>read the backstory


Curtain Call Theatre, 2004


Bob's Date
Bob is going on his first date in two years. All of his manly internal attributes--Nerves, Logic, Libido, Confidence, and Bull--rally to prepare for the night. But when a love-at-first-sight moment awakens Emotion, she threatens to throw the night into chaos. 5 men, 2 women. Minimal set. 40 minutes.

>read an excerpt
>order the script
>see production photos
>read the backstory

"For a comedy, it's a lot more touching than you think you're going to get."
--Richard Carey, director

An audience favorite and my most-produced play to date!

PUBLISHED BY
1


1

Brushstroke
Artist Timothy Parsons has a brilliant painting that has been one brushstroke away from completion for the last three weeks. What's keeping him from finishing it? 2 men, simple set. 10
minutes.

>read an excerpt      
>order the anthology

>license this play from Smith & Kraus
>read the backstory

Available in the Smith & Kraus anthology,
Best 10-minute Plays of 2007, 2 Actors.
1


Attleboro Community Theatre, 2005

Waiting for the End of the World
In a small city park, three of the Four Horsemen gather for the start of the Apocalypse. But Famine is running late and isn't answering his cell phone. At least there are chicken fingers. 2 men, 1 woman. Simple set. 20 minutes.

My personal favorite.

>read an excerpt      
>see production photos
    
request a free perusal copy
>read the backstory


Camelot Players of Lowell, 2005

Owen & George Play Chess
Owen and George are playing chess in a park when George announces that he could kill Owen. Right now. And believe it or not, it's a comedy. Quirky and dark. 2 men. Simple set. 12-15 minutes.

>read an excerpt      
>see production photos
     
>request a free perusal copy

>read the backstory


Medway Players, 2007

Grievance
Dennis Kavanaugh is not happy. He wins $11 million and three days later he gets shot. Obviously, God is to blame, so it's time for a little head-to-head chat with Him. 2 men or 1 man and 1 woman. Simple set. 15 minutes.

>read an excerpt
>request a free perusal copy

>read the backstory

"...marvelously intimate and monumentally important at the same time."
--Judd Lear Silverman, playwright.


Mansfield Music & Arts Society, 2008

The Worst Possible Time for Writer's Block
Peter is dying. All he wants to do is write one more poem. But the clock is ticking, and it doesn't help that a Minion of Death is in the corner, being a smartass. Will Peter find one last poem? Can his sister bargain with death for more time? 2 men, 1 woman. Minimal set. 10 minutes.

>read an excerpt
>request a free perusal copy

>read the backstory


"The moment I started reading it, I started laughing. It's simply perfect."
--Mary Locker, Heartlande Theatre Co.

"...makes a major, if comedic, statement about perception and value and treasure versus trash."
--Kathleen Kirby, Flint Journal


Paw Paw Village Players, 2007

Dance in Venice
Every vacation has to end sometime, right? Rachel doesn't think so. Now all she needs to do is convince her husband to not return to their old life back home. 1 man, 1 woman. 15 minutes.

>read an excerpt
>request a free perusal copy

>read the backstory

Voted audience favorite, Paw Paw Village Players'
ONE-ACTS 10.5 FESTIVAL, 2007


Curtain Call Theatre, 2008

First Time for Everything
Ben and Dorie just did it for the first time--and their waitress knows it. A 10-minute laugh-out-loud comedy for 1 man and 3 women.

Voted audience favorite,
Rapscallions Theatre Collective Salute UR Shorts 2008.

"Fast and funny, with a blackout ending that took me completely by surprise."
--Mike Folie, playwright

This play will appear in the Smith & Kraus anthology,
Best 10-Minute Plays of 2009, 3 or More Actors.

>read an excerpt
>request a free perusal copy

>read the backstory (coming)


1

Tall Order
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day--even moreso when it's New Years' Day and your menu choice will determine the outcome of your whole year. Which is why Neil is having such a hard time ordering. 2 men, 1 woman. 10 minutes.

Winner of "The Charlie" Audience Choice Award,
Acme New Works Winter Fest 2008

>read an excerpt
>request a free perusal copy

>read the backstory (coming)


1

One Last Thing
Here's a tip: don't get hit by a bus and die when you've got unfinished business. Alex did, and now he has to figure out how what he needs to change or he's just going to die over and over. 2 men, 1 woman. Simple set. 15 minutes.

Winner of "Outstanding Author" honors at the 2nd Annual
Chester Horn Short Play Fest, NYC.

>read an excerpt
>request a free perusal copy
>read the backstory



That Thing
Carl remembers it. Linda does, too. Problem is, only one of them enjoyed it--and the other's never bothered to mention that they didn't. 1 man, 1 woman. 10 minutes.

>read an excerpt
>read the backstory (coming)

This play will appear in the Smith & Kraus anthology,
Best 10-Minute Plays of 2008, 2 Actors
.

"...age and sex, lovingly and wittily discussed!"--Larry Stark, Theater Mirror.


Curtain Call Theatre

Still Life with Elephant
Problems don't go away if you ignore them. Instead, they wait in the living room for you to get home. Hope you brought food. A 10-minute play with inherent destruction. 2 men, 1 woman.

>read an excerpt
>request a free perusal copy
>read the backstory


visitors since 2006.
Isn't that nice?