Midnight Showing

by Libby Heily

After years of making John Waters inspired films in her parents' basement, Diana is catapulted into fame with her exploitation film, "Clown Fucker." Diana is bold, blunt, and willing to offend. She does not suffer fools nor does she allow anyone to question her asexuality or her extremely close relationship with her parents.

Diana directs a cast of clowns as she explores her career and personal growth. Her...

After years of making John Waters inspired films in her parents' basement, Diana is catapulted into fame with her exploitation film, "Clown Fucker." Diana is bold, blunt, and willing to offend. She does not suffer fools nor does she allow anyone to question her asexuality or her extremely close relationship with her parents.

Diana directs a cast of clowns as she explores her career and personal growth. Her strong outer shell hides a fearful soul plagued by troubling thoughts. Once the safety her parents provided is stripped away, Diana has a breakdown and must learn to negotiate the world again by herself.

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Midnight Showing

Recommended by

  • Jan Rosenberg: Midnight Showing by Libby Heily
    “

    Absolutely loved this play about an asexual woman who refuses to censor her work to pacify her audience. I loved Diana. I believed her. I believed IN her. She is 120% herself. Even when she doesn't like herself. Also, the sh*t in mouth explanation is the best definition of being ace that I've ever seen. Would love to see this play out on a stage.

    Absolutely loved this play about an asexual woman who refuses to censor her work to pacify her audience. I loved Diana. I believed her. I believed IN her. She is 120% herself. Even when she doesn't like herself. Also, the sh*t in mouth explanation is the best definition of being ace that I've ever seen. Would love to see this play out on a stage.

    ”
  • Conor McShane: Midnight Showing by Libby Heily
    “

    Diana is such a great, well-rounded, and inspiring character, unceasingly dedicated to her own weirdo vision and not caring one bit whether other people like it or not. Despite the play being mostly in a "telling" mode, it's engaging and highly theatrical. A bold, funny, bittersweet look at following one's muse wherever it leads, and trying to carve out a life around it.

    Diana is such a great, well-rounded, and inspiring character, unceasingly dedicated to her own weirdo vision and not caring one bit whether other people like it or not. Despite the play being mostly in a "telling" mode, it's engaging and highly theatrical. A bold, funny, bittersweet look at following one's muse wherever it leads, and trying to carve out a life around it.

    ”
  • Mackenzie Raine Kirkman: Midnight Showing by Libby Heily
    “

    Diana is so grotesque but so likable a bit like Devine in a way. Throughout Midnight Showing Heily does an expert job of crafting an impeccably clear character with incredibly fun clowns filling in around her. The humor of the piece is so quick, so effortless. It's such a fun trip and it would be a riot to stage.

    Diana is so grotesque but so likable a bit like Devine in a way. Throughout Midnight Showing Heily does an expert job of crafting an impeccably clear character with incredibly fun clowns filling in around her. The humor of the piece is so quick, so effortless. It's such a fun trip and it would be a riot to stage.

    ”
View all 7 recommendations

Development History

  • Reading, Women's Theater Festival Occupy The Stage 22, 2022
  • Workshop, Last Frontier Theater Conference Play Lab, 2021
  • Reading, Dramatists Guild Friday Night Footlights, 2021
  • Workshop, Eden Theater Company, 2019

Awards

  • Princess Grace Playwriting Fellowship
    Princess Grace
    Semi-Finalist
    2022
  • Short Listed for The Yale Drama Series Prize
    David Charles Horn Foundation and Yale University Press
    2022
  • 3rd Place, Henley Rose Playwright Competition for Women
    Yellow Rose Productions
    Winner
    2021