panned

by Dan West

ONE-ACT (~45 Minutes): Playwright Wayne Dennis has lured critic Barry Brant to an empty theater with one goal: make him either recant his savage review of Wayne's play or die for his convictions. What follows is a series of murder attempts so perfectly sabotaged by the universe that they might almost be staged. Meanwhile, an oblivious family wanders in convinced they're about to see a show, unaware that they are...

ONE-ACT (~45 Minutes): Playwright Wayne Dennis has lured critic Barry Brant to an empty theater with one goal: make him either recant his savage review of Wayne's play or die for his convictions. What follows is a series of murder attempts so perfectly sabotaged by the universe that they might almost be staged. Meanwhile, an oblivious family wanders in convinced they're about to see a show, unaware that they are about to become part of one instead, as the evening takes on a life of its own that neither man entirely planned. A farce about art, criticism, and the uncomfortable possibility that Wayne Dennis may be a more accomplished playwright than anyone realized — including Wayne Dennis.

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panned

Recommended by

  • Greg Mandryk: panned by Dan West
    “

    Dan West again serves up the kind of crisp, lively dialogue actors salivate over. This time in a play that is so meta, it may just tear a black hole in the fabric of space and time. Perform at your own risk!

    Dan West again serves up the kind of crisp, lively dialogue actors salivate over. This time in a play that is so meta, it may just tear a black hole in the fabric of space and time. Perform at your own risk!

    ”
  • Morey Norkin: panned by Dan West
    “

    I’m certainly not going to risk criticizing this play now that I know some of the murderous scenarios Dan West is capable of concocting. Fortunately, there’s no need for criticism of such an offbeat hilarious take on the creative process. As much fun as this was to read, there’s so much happening in this play that really must be experienced in performance. Stage it if you dare!

    I’m certainly not going to risk criticizing this play now that I know some of the murderous scenarios Dan West is capable of concocting. Fortunately, there’s no need for criticism of such an offbeat hilarious take on the creative process. As much fun as this was to read, there’s so much happening in this play that really must be experienced in performance. Stage it if you dare!

    ”
  • Aly Kantor: panned by Dan West
    “

    A charming, action-packed, metatheatrical romp that's engaging precisely because it's so self-aware! The surprises don't come out of left field - they are telegraphed to the extreme, and yet no less surprising, because, as a reader, you can't quite believe the playwright (the actual playwright, not the character!) will commit to such silliness... and yet!! There are plenty of opportunities for theatrical magic (chainsawing a flat live on stage!?), and this piece truly utilizes the whole theatre!

    A charming, action-packed, metatheatrical romp that's engaging precisely because it's so self-aware! The surprises don't come out of left field - they are telegraphed to the extreme, and yet no less surprising, because, as a reader, you can't quite believe the playwright (the actual playwright, not the character!) will commit to such silliness... and yet!! There are plenty of opportunities for theatrical magic (chainsawing a flat live on stage!?), and this piece truly utilizes the whole theatre!

    ”
View all 10 recommendations

Character Information

  • Barry
    A theater critic for a big city newspaper.
    30s - 60s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Wayne
    A disgruntled playwright. Shaggy hair & scruffy/patchy beard. He has a secret.
    30s - 60s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Ann
    A Lady from the burbs. Conservatively fashionable, dressed for the night out on the town with her sisters. Perhaps a bit over adorned.
    40s - early 50s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Pam
    Ann's sister, in from out of town. Slightly younger. More of a homebody, but happy to be out.
    40s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Stan
    Pam's husband. Along for the ride.
    40s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Connie
    Ann's other sister, more than a decade younger. More cosmopolitan. Does not see eye to eye with her family.
    30s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+

Development History

  • Reading, The Brick Playhouse,