Erstwhile

by John Busser

20 MINUTES - What NEVER goes on at these Playwrights Thriving prompt sessions, and boy, you’re sure glad it doesn’t.

For those of you who made it in, I'm sorry.
For those of you who didn't, you're welcome.

Written for the Playwrights Thriving Title Share 2026.

20 MINUTES - What NEVER goes on at these Playwrights Thriving prompt sessions, and boy, you’re sure glad it doesn’t.

For those of you who made it in, I'm sorry.
For those of you who didn't, you're welcome.

Written for the Playwrights Thriving Title Share 2026.

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Erstwhile

Recommended by

  • Jack Levine: Erstwhile by John Busser
    “

    JOHN BUSSER strongly recommended that we should NOT read his play. Clearly, he has a good point IF you don’t want to laugh so much you might get arrested for making too much noise, or you are too shy to be around two dozen characters in one ‘what-did-he-say’ farcical fantasy, or you just want to miss enjoying one heck of a play. “Erstwhile’ is the name; comedy is the whole point. Thanks, John, for a great evening of reading your play!

    JOHN BUSSER strongly recommended that we should NOT read his play. Clearly, he has a good point IF you don’t want to laugh so much you might get arrested for making too much noise, or you are too shy to be around two dozen characters in one ‘what-did-he-say’ farcical fantasy, or you just want to miss enjoying one heck of a play. “Erstwhile’ is the name; comedy is the whole point. Thanks, John, for a great evening of reading your play!

    ”
  • Aly Kantor: Erstwhile by John Busser
    “

    I wanted to recommend this play but, alas, I've been banned. That's a huge shame, because it's very funny. I would have loved to say something nice about the characterization of some of my dearest playwright friends, the groan-worthy one-liners, and the theatrical use of Zoom. Ah, well. Maybe next time.

    I wanted to recommend this play but, alas, I've been banned. That's a huge shame, because it's very funny. I would have loved to say something nice about the characterization of some of my dearest playwright friends, the groan-worthy one-liners, and the theatrical use of Zoom. Ah, well. Maybe next time.

    ”
  • Ryan Kaminski: Erstwhile by John Busser
    “

    03/27/2026 - Despite being a more recent member of the Playwrights Thriving group than some, I can attest that John Busser has done a magnificent job capturing the voices of all the playwrights well. Hilarious from beginning to end. I will be sure to attend more announcement meetings to see events like this unfold in real time!

    03/27/2026 - Despite being a more recent member of the Playwrights Thriving group than some, I can attest that John Busser has done a magnificent job capturing the voices of all the playwrights well. Hilarious from beginning to end. I will be sure to attend more announcement meetings to see events like this unfold in real time!

    ”
View all 26 recommendations
SCOTT: Male, loud shirts, louder opinions
JACQUIE: Female, from Michigan which tells you all you need to know
LISA: Female, can’t possibly move farther away, although God knows she’s tried
MATTHEW: Male, apparently there are 19 reasons to date him
PHILIP: Male, just had all his vaccination mandates removed
BRENT: Male, obsessed with cats, but not musicals about them
ALY: Female, banned from this play
DANIEL: Male, wondering what he did to deserve NOT being banned from this play
DAVID: Male, too good looking to be banned from this play
HILARY: Female, wishes people would stop asking “How’s Bill?” Wrong Hillary.
SAM: Male, missed all the fireworks but I put him here anyway.
NORA: Female, knew better than to be here
MIRANDA: Female, out rescuing dogs but will be here for any monologues you need
MIKE: Male, suddenly wishing he had jury duty over this
DC: M, DTF, WTF, TCB (What? I thought we were just doing initials)
PAUL: Male, a braver man than I
JILLIAN: Female, was thinking of taking up drinking. Her inclusion here will clinch it.
CHRISTOPHER: Male, already wrote 4 plays with this title
STEVE: Male, feels like he should be lower on this list
JOHN: Male, nothing to see here