Hello,

So we are in the middle of picking shows for our 2012-2013 season. We do 4 straight shows a year, 2 comedies and 2 dramas. Right now we have one of each. We have decided on An Inspector Calls and Laughter on The 23rd Floor. These will be the last two shows. With Inspector closing the season. So we need to decide on our two first shows. I would really like an opinion on what other two shows to pick. Because these are the first two we try to do them with little and technical aspects so we can make some money to put into the final two shows. So I would love to have a royalty free show, preferably a comedy. Below are some shows were thinking about...

- ART
-Laramie Project
-The Importance of Being Earnest
-Lend Me a Tenor
-Fuddy Mears

Thanks for all your help!!!

Jack

www.bostonteenactingtroupe.com

Yes, I had the same reaction.  Any play that's not in the public domain (unless you devise it yourself) is subject to royalty.  That's how playwrights like me make their living.

"The Importance of Being Earnest" is a great show, and it can be done very elaborately or very simply.  I saw one production that set the whole show in a playground/park with a teeter totter, swingset, and one of those spinning things (like a merry go round).  It was quite delightful - a little bizarre, but quite delightful.  I also love "A Midsummer Night's Dream."  There are dozens of variations you can play with:  I set the show in contemporary times and instead of being in Athens, Greece, we were on "The Athens" a ritzy golf club.  The Mechanicals (Quince & Co.) were caddies and the fairies were goth/punk magical transients living in the back 40.  It was a ton of fun and had a great audience response.  Both shows can be done royalty free - check with Dover publications.  They have inexpensive public domain scripts available.