Lipstick

by Lane Michael Stanley

Lipstick is a silly, sweet farce with a heart of gold and a drawer full of sex toys. Anna has invited Kelly over for dinner, but is it a date? Or just hanging out? How could Anna know?! Is Kelly even gay?! Kelly wears earrings AND boots! Just in case that wasn’t confusing enough, a cavalcade of visitors crashes their evening - an ex-girlfriend, a nebby bestie, a handyman, a mom, and a parade of potential suitors...

Lipstick is a silly, sweet farce with a heart of gold and a drawer full of sex toys. Anna has invited Kelly over for dinner, but is it a date? Or just hanging out? How could Anna know?! Is Kelly even gay?! Kelly wears earrings AND boots! Just in case that wasn’t confusing enough, a cavalcade of visitors crashes their evening - an ex-girlfriend, a nebby bestie, a handyman, a mom, and a parade of potential suitors. Hijinks, of course, ensue, in this play-shaped love letter to the queer community.

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Lipstick

Recommended by

  • Kaeli Meno: Lipstick by Lane Michael Stanley
    “

    I saw a reading of this play in 2018 and have read it several times since. It is fast paced, authentic, and clever. It is one of those plays I have really enjoyed revisiting. There's always a new element I've caught onto or have forgotten that it happened. Whether it is due to the hijinks that occur or the truth in the friendship between Mal and Anna, and how easy it seems. I would for sure recommend giving it a read.

    I saw a reading of this play in 2018 and have read it several times since. It is fast paced, authentic, and clever. It is one of those plays I have really enjoyed revisiting. There's always a new element I've caught onto or have forgotten that it happened. Whether it is due to the hijinks that occur or the truth in the friendship between Mal and Anna, and how easy it seems. I would for sure recommend giving it a read.

    ”
  • Kevin King: Lipstick by Lane Michael Stanley
    “

    This is a fast paced hilarious modern queer sex farce. It’s smart, ridiculous, outrageous, and super queer! I loved this play!

    This is a fast paced hilarious modern queer sex farce. It’s smart, ridiculous, outrageous, and super queer! I loved this play!

    ”
  • Seth McNeill: Lipstick by Lane Michael Stanley
    “

    Hilarious, fast moving farce that gets astonishing mileage out of its dozens of gags, but with a wonderful degree of depth that keeps it from being limited to mere entertainment.

    Hilarious, fast moving farce that gets astonishing mileage out of its dozens of gags, but with a wonderful degree of depth that keeps it from being limited to mere entertainment.

    ”
View all 12 recommendations

Character Information

  • Mal
    Outgoing and flamboyant.
    late 20s
    Black
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Bandit Guys
    The same actor plays every Bandit Guy, and no Bandit Guy is in more than one scene.
    20s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Hank the Landlord
    The landlord.
    50s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Cara
    Mean.
    late 20s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Dorothy
    Mal's mom.
    50s
    Black
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Anna
    Highly neurotic and visibly queer.
    late 20s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Kelly
    Friendly and sweet, but determined.
    20s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Workshop, Flexible Grey Theatre Company, 2019
  • Reading, HBMG Foundation National Winter Playwrights Conference, 2018
  • Reading, Cohesion Theatre Company, 2018
  • Reading, Last Frontier Theatre Conference, 2018

Production History

  • Community Theater, Fells Point Corner Theatre, 2024
  • Fringe, Gadfly Theatre Productions, 2020
  • Fringe, Theatre Travels, 2020
  • Community Theater, MadLab Theatre, 2019
  • Professional, Island City Stage, 2019

Awards