Funny, Like HAHA. (or, A Play About A Rape Joke)

by Katherine Gwynn

Lily Schuttman is in her dressing room, preparing for her first taped comedy special, when her friend Erin Li comes in demanding answers. See, Erin’s wondering why Lily spoke to the Times defending Joe Ainsley. Joe's a self-identified male feminist, comedy mentor to Lily—and the man Erin’s accused of sexually assaulting her. After a tense fight that goes nowhere, Erin gets ready to walk out of Lily's life for...

Lily Schuttman is in her dressing room, preparing for her first taped comedy special, when her friend Erin Li comes in demanding answers. See, Erin’s wondering why Lily spoke to the Times defending Joe Ainsley. Joe's a self-identified male feminist, comedy mentor to Lily—and the man Erin’s accused of sexually assaulting her. After a tense fight that goes nowhere, Erin gets ready to walk out of Lily's life for good. And then the Rape Joke Lily was going to tell on-stage springs to life, trapping them all in the dressing room.

A dark comedy about internalized misogyny, female friendship, white feminism, who gets to be heard, and who gets to be a joke.

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Funny, Like HAHA. (or, A Play About A Rape Joke)

Recommended by

  • Anastasia West: Funny, Like HAHA. (or, A Play About A Rape Joke) by Katherine Gwynn
    “

    I feel like I've been waiting to read this play my whole life. an absolute masterpiece. JUST READ IT!

    I feel like I've been waiting to read this play my whole life. an absolute masterpiece. JUST READ IT!

    ”
  • Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend: Funny, Like HAHA. (or, A Play About A Rape Joke) by Katherine Gwynn
    “

    This play is an amazing combination of angry and funny, and so, so theatrical - one of the characters is a rape joke and we keep sliding between some otherworldly comedy club and Lily's dressing room. From the stage direction "And then the Rape Joke strolls in the door" to the end, I didn't know where it was going, but I thoroughly enjoyed the ride and all the surprising twists and turns. What a creative, timely piece.

    This play is an amazing combination of angry and funny, and so, so theatrical - one of the characters is a rape joke and we keep sliding between some otherworldly comedy club and Lily's dressing room. From the stage direction "And then the Rape Joke strolls in the door" to the end, I didn't know where it was going, but I thoroughly enjoyed the ride and all the surprising twists and turns. What a creative, timely piece.

    ”
  • Shelby Seeley: Funny, Like HAHA. (or, A Play About A Rape Joke) by Katherine Gwynn
    “

    My favorite play I've read this year.

    My favorite play I've read this year.

    ”
View all 9 recommendations

Character Information

  • The PA
    She/Her/Hers or They/Them/Theirs. Early 20s. The audience should believe the PA is an actual Production Assistant working on the show, not an actor playing the role of a PA. They are just doing their job. Woman or non-binary.
    early 20s.
    Any
    Woman or non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • ERIN LI
    She/Her/Hers. 31 year old comedian. Chinese-American. Woman. Queer.

    31
    East Asian,
    Asian-American
    Cis Woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • LILY SCHUTTMAN
    She/Her/Hers. 31 year old comedian. White but has certainly claimed she was 1/16th Cherokee at some point and then claimed it was for a joke. Woman. Straight.
    31
    White
    Cis Woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • The RAPE JOKE
    It/It’s. It looks like a white man, 20s-40s. It is a rape joke. It mutates. It conjures things out of thin air. It is always smiling.
    20-40s.
    White
    Cis Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Workshop, Flint Repertory Theatre, 2023

Awards