Can't Live Without You

The script and rights are available through Next Stage Press.

Full-Length: (2002) Donny is a writer of romance novels living in the Florida Keys with his girlfriend, Anna, a realtor, both living their dreams. Then Bobby Cramer shows up.  He is the main character in Donny’s abandoned novel and asks “Why have you left me in the bottom of your desk drawer?  What happened to me?”  Now Donny must choose between Anna...

The script and rights are available through Next Stage Press.

Full-Length: (2002) Donny is a writer of romance novels living in the Florida Keys with his girlfriend, Anna, a realtor, both living their dreams. Then Bobby Cramer shows up.  He is the main character in Donny’s abandoned novel and asks “Why have you left me in the bottom of your desk drawer?  What happened to me?”  Now Donny must choose between Anna and their comfortable life or Bobby and the unknown.

Three monologues are included in The Best Men's Monologues 2019, published by The Applause Acting Series.

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Can't Live Without You

Recommended by

  • Kieran Khanna: Can't Live Without You

    Oh my god! Philip had done it again for me! This is a story about a romance writer named Donny who unexpectedly meets Bobby, one of the characters from his past, and he desperately wants his story to be finished. I truly appreciated the joy and the humor that Philip uses in this play and how it examines how you have to make drastic decisions that could change everything! I also loved the character Bobby! I want to play him so badly! Lol! Amazing work Philip!

    Oh my god! Philip had done it again for me! This is a story about a romance writer named Donny who unexpectedly meets Bobby, one of the characters from his past, and he desperately wants his story to be finished. I truly appreciated the joy and the humor that Philip uses in this play and how it examines how you have to make drastic decisions that could change everything! I also loved the character Bobby! I want to play him so badly! Lol! Amazing work Philip!

  • Jan Probst: Can't Live Without You

    An entertaining and beautifully crafted play. With the sharp, precise dialogue we have come to expect from Williams, and a character who literally leaps off the page, this intriguing story comes to life. An unpredictable romantic comedy that packs lots of laughs, Can't Live Without You is right on target for anyone who has ever wondered what happened to their big dream.

    An entertaining and beautifully crafted play. With the sharp, precise dialogue we have come to expect from Williams, and a character who literally leaps off the page, this intriguing story comes to life. An unpredictable romantic comedy that packs lots of laughs, Can't Live Without You is right on target for anyone who has ever wondered what happened to their big dream.

  • Donald E. Baker: Can't Live Without You

    What more could you want? One set, small cast, well-rounded characters, engaging story, all put together by Williams’s sure hand. Donny, a writer of bodice-ripping romances, has always allowed other people—his girlfriend, his agent—to make major life decisions for him. Now Bobby, a character from Donny’s never-completed work of serious fiction, manifests himself, demanding all of Donny’s attention. But working on Bobby's novel would require Donny to make radical changes in his relationships and income. Reality and inspiration collide in this excellent work.

    What more could you want? One set, small cast, well-rounded characters, engaging story, all put together by Williams’s sure hand. Donny, a writer of bodice-ripping romances, has always allowed other people—his girlfriend, his agent—to make major life decisions for him. Now Bobby, a character from Donny’s never-completed work of serious fiction, manifests himself, demanding all of Donny’s attention. But working on Bobby's novel would require Donny to make radical changes in his relationships and income. Reality and inspiration collide in this excellent work.

View all 14 recommendations

Character Information

The character of Nick needs to be handsome and well-built; in one scene in Act II he plays a romance-novel hero. Bobby Cramer is also described as physically attractive since he is Donny's idea of his idealized self.
  • Bobby Cramer
    An attractive young man who is a character in a novel. In good physical condition.
    Character Age
    21-25
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
  • Donny Hollenbeck
    A writer of romance novels; laid-back but also still searching for his true calling.
    Character Age
    30-35
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
  • Anna Morgan
    Business-like and but can also be a romantic.
    Character Age
    30-35
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
  • Barbara Solomon
    Large (not necessarily physically), loud, all business.
    Character Age
    40's
  • Nick Wilson
    Handsome, well-built; a former high school football hero and not a deep thinker.
    Character Age
    30-35
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization SoBe Arts, Miami Beach, Year 2014
  • Type Reading, Organization University of Miami Theatre Department, Year 2005

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Willow Theatre - The Playgroup LLC, Boca Raton, Florida, Year 2019
  • Type Professional, Organization Manhattan Rep, Year 2008

Awards

  • The Playgroup LLC 2017 Playwriting Contest
    The Playgroup LLC of Pompano Beach, Florida
    Finalist
    2017