Steph's Plays

Plays for Kids & Grown-Ups

A Futuristic Thriller


"Cannibals Alone"
 
Set in the very near future, a deadly disease is ravaging the country.  All citizens are required to submit to periodic blood tests and those testing positive are immediately taken off to a "Quarantine Center."  In response, an underground railroad-type of organization has sprung up to help those trying to escape the Medical Police and flee to Canada.

In a rented cabin somewhere in the woods of the Great American Northwest, Rae and Mags, friends since childhood, have become involved with escaping "runners" since Rae's brother Gabriel (who was suffering from the disease in hiding) was turned in and taken away.  They receive two visitors - Callie (in Act I) who has just broken out of a Quarantine Center and Val (in Act II) who has tested positive but who has escaped the Medical Police before being taken into custody.

These two visitors have unknowingly picked the wrong time to come by as the relationship between Mags and Rae is falling apart.  Rae, who is committed to continuing her involvement with runners even to her death, has just discovered that Mags has been sneaking off to a nearby town to seek the company of others.  Caught, Mags confesses to wanting to give up their work in order to live a safer, more normal life.  Rather than concentrating on helping their guests, Rae and Mags instead manipulate them in an attempt to sway each other into going along with their own desires.

Just when you think you know what's going on, however, there is a devastating twist that will have you reconsidering all the assumptions that you have made about the situation and the main characters...
This chilling and challenging full-length play for 4 women on a single set was called "surprising and inventive" by Playwrights Horizons.

 Drop me a line at bunrabbit99@gmail.com for a copy of the script.

An Adaptation of the Classic Dumas Adventure


"The Count Of Monte Crisco"
It's late Monday morning at May's diner and bus stop (just outside Nickleberry, Texas off Route 77) and the staff is taking a break - waitresses Dottie and Ruthie, cashier Raylene, Buddy the busboy and Lyle the cook.  The quiet is interrupted by the arrival of Delbert Minkle, a mechanic at the garage next door.  He needs some coffee to stay awake under Doralee's Gremlin - seems he's been up all night reading a book and it must be one heck of a story - Del has trouble getting through the TV Guide.

 "Tell us about it, Delbert," suggests Dottie and he's off, sharing "The Count Of Monte Cristo," (which Lyle mistakes as Monte Crisco, naturally) with the whole gang including Ed (his boss), Jimbo (a trucker) and Trixie and Paulette (regulars who have stopped in for patty melts).  As Del imagines his friends enacting the story, everyone is soon hooked on the mechanic's tale.

 "The Count Of Monte Crisco" is a highly theatrical piece that's great fun for cast and spectators alike.  This unique show offers an adaptation true to the original classic, yet told in a humorous modern style that makes it readily accessible to today's audiences.  (Full-length, single set, 5 men, 5 women)  Email me for a sample or copy of the script at  bunrabbit99@gmail.com.

Gifted Psychic or Clever Con Woman?


"Red Herrings"

 Madame Lacy Eugenia is using her "psychic gift" to find the kidnapped grand-baby of a local millionaire despite Sheriff Buckman's belief that she is a fake and her information comes not from beyond the grave but from her best client, his mother.  Her efforts are interrupted by the arrival of her estranged daughter Sophie who is on the run from her abusive boyfriend Eddie.  When Eddie shows up, things are bound to get complicated.  Even the presence of Lacy's long-time companion, a stage magician and ventriloquist known as "The Amazing Vic" isn't enough to keep Eddie in line.  Baby, baby, who's got the baby...and who's going to find her and collect the reward?

A single set, 3 women and 3 men - that's all you need to stage this this full-length clever comedy/thriller in the tradition of "Deathtrap" and "Sleuth."  To request a copy, email me at  bunrabbit99@gmail.com.

That Clever Cat!


"Puss In Boots"

 Once upon a time, a miller’s son was cheated out of his inheritance and ended up with a mill cat as his only possession...

So begins the beloved Perrault fairy tale.  Unfortunately, it’s rather short on details - just who is this brave, quick-witted cat, where does she come from and what does she want?  This version of the story answers these questions while bringing her, her master and all the other characters vividly to life - the Miller and his older, scheming son, the King and his brave daughter, the evil, shape-shifting Ogre and the rest.  It might be easy for clever Puss to fool the King into believing a poor peasant is really the Marquis de Carabas but is she resourceful enough to outwit a man-eating monster?  Will the Princess be able to marry her true love or is she destined for a much more horrible husband?  And after ensuring that everyone lives happily ever after, can Puss find an equally joyful ending for herself?

“Puss ‘N Boots” enhances and expands the original short story into a wonderful adventure the whole family will enjoy.  It's full-length and requires 4 playing "areas," 5 women, 6 men and 8 either (doubling possible).  I'm at bunrabbit99@gmail.com if you're interested in reading a copy.

Just awarded Second Place
2009 N.E.T.C. Aurand Harris Memorial Playwriting Competition!

World Premier Production at 
Harwich Junior Theatre
August 2010!

Never Lie To The Piper!


"The Pied Piper Of Hamelin Town"

 Forget the sad ending to this traditional fairy tale - this version ends with everyone living happily ever after! 

Who can save the children after the Pied Piper has led them away into a mountain?  The stingy townspeople?  The crippled boy too slow to keep up?  No!  It's 3 unlikely heroes to the rescue - Whiskers (a slow-thinking cat), Squeak (a hard-of-hearing rat) and Chirp (a bird who can't fly).  Join them as they come up with a plan and then face their fears all to rescue the future of Hamelin Town. 

This 30 minute version written for Elementary School age players and audiences is fun and a snap to stage - a single, simple set, 11 major speaking parts plus as many children and rats as you want and a dog - and also contains an important lesson of tolerance for those who are a little different from the rest.  You can reach me at bunrabbit99@gmail.com.

A Very Short Nick


"Nick Tickle - Which Crook Took The Book?"

 Just got time for a very short Nick Tickle adventure?  Try this 10 minute mystery for 3 gals and 2 guys on a single, simple set.  Nick is contacted by Red Ridinghood's Grandma Pollywog after a library book goes missing and he soon discovers there's more at stake than just a fine - the new Children's Wing at the library might have to close since ALL the books are missing!  Can Nick stop the crime wave and avert disaster?  You bet he can - with a little help from his partners in the audience - and 2 lucky volunteers will come up on stage to lend a hand!  Nick Tickle fans won't want to miss this short and sweet treat.  As always, I'm at bunrabbit99@gmail.com.