Hot Water

My newest short play.

Premiering January 2012, Acme Theater!

Jack and Rico haven't seen each other for about 26 years.
Because Rico's been in prison. Now he shows up at Jack's
seafood shack, looking for the lobster dinner he was
promised all those years ago.

2 men, 1 woman. 10 minutes.

E-mail me for an excerpt.

The 10-Minute Play Guide to Life

If you've never been to a 10-minute play festival, you may not know that
every problem you may ever face can be resolved in just . . . well, you know.

A public service announcement in short play form.

Unproduced. 3 actors; at least 1 woman. 10 minutes . . . if that.

E-mail me for an excerpt.

Dinner for Several
A canceled dinner date turns into a night of laughter, love and longing.
A funny look at love and relationships.
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

"Riotous and clever...an original show that will have you laughing and thinking all night long."
--Tony Annicone, Little Rhody Theatre

One Before Forty
Kevin Gable gave himself until 40 to find true love. With his deadline rapidly approaching, 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

Bob's Date
Bob is going on his first date in two years. In his head, Nerves, Logic, Libido, Confidence, and Bull work out a plan for the night. But then Emotion wakes up--and that definitely wasn't in the plan.
5 men, 2 women. Minimal set. 40 minutes.

Author's Note: Although "Bob's Date" has developed a sort of second life as a high school play--and believe me, I am thankful for each performance--if you are considering it, please be aware that it was NOT written for young actors. It was written for 6 adults and 1 young man, intended by be performed by community theatres, and the text contains under-the-radar adult humor. I DO NOT condone excision of the text in any way and I don't approve productions that ask me to do so. If you find something in the script objectionable or inappropriate for your actors, you have chosen the wrong script for your group.

PUBLISHED BY

>read an excerpt
>order the script from Heuer
>read the backstory

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

"The plot is very funny, the characters are dynamic...Cast members loved the play and were very passionate about their roles."
--Ellen Coryat, director, Creeekside High School

"The characters are all very powerful in their own way and blended together to make an outstanding ensemble. The fact that Mr. Shanahan leaves the set design completely open lets you make it a unique show. A truly great show for director and cast."
--Palmer Huff, director, Paradise Community Theater

Brushstroke
An artist is one brushstroke away from completing a brilliant painting. But he can't--or won't--take the final step.
2 men, simple set. Drama. 10 minutes.

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

PUBLISHED BY

>read an excerpt      
>purchase the anthology
>license this play from Smith & Kraus
>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.

Available in the Smith & Kraus anthology,
Best 10-minute Plays of 2008, 2 Actors.

PUBLISHED BY

>read an excerpt
>order the anthology
>license this play from Smith & Kraus
>read the backstory

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

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.

PUBLISHED BY

>read an excerpt
>order or license this play from Heuer
>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

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.

PUBLISHED BY

>read an excerpt
>order or license this play from Heuer (coming soon!)
>read the backstory

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

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.

Available in the Smith & Kraus anthology,
Best 10-Minute Plays of 2009, 2 or More Actors.

PUBLISHED BY

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

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

>read an excerpt
>order the anthology
>license this play from Smith & Kraus
>read the backstory

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.
2 men, 1 woman. Simple set. 20 minutes.

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

Owen & George Play Chess
Owen and George are playing chess in a park when George announces that he could kill Owen. Right now. A dark, quirky comedy.
2 men. Simple set. 12-15 minutes.

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

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.
2 men, 1 woman. 10 minutes.

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

Grievance
Dennis Kavanaugh won the lottery and then was shot dead. 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.

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.
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

One Last Thing
Alex got hit by a bus and died...more or less. Now he's "looping," and it's going to keep happening until he figures out why. 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