FRIENDS WITH GUNS by Stephanie Alison Walker

You think you know your friends, your neighbors, your spouse, but what happens when you suddenly find out they have a garage full of guns? This new dark comedy explores the complicated issue of gun proliferation when two young liberal couples are forced to confront their assumptions about who should own a gun and why. The time of easy answers regarding this issue is long gone. In the wake of current events, we...
You think you know your friends, your neighbors, your spouse, but what happens when you suddenly find out they have a garage full of guns? This new dark comedy explores the complicated issue of gun proliferation when two young liberal couples are forced to confront their assumptions about who should own a gun and why. The time of easy answers regarding this issue is long gone. In the wake of current events, we are all forced to reexamine our strongly held beliefs about gun ownership. Friends With Guns explores the question of what we can compartmentalize…and what we can’t. It examines what happens when guns enter the conversation. It pulls the curtain back on liberals with guns. It asks what happens when suddenly one person in a marriage does a 180 on the gun issue. And it does all of this through a female lens.
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FRIENDS WITH GUNS

Recommended by

  • Ross Tedford Kendall:
    9 Sep. 2023
    “ In the playwright's note, Walker writes that she is "tired of the outrage." This play remarkably reflects that point of view. It's easy to write an anti or pro-gun screed that masquerades as a play. This play isn't that. It provides no easy answers. No comfort. No manufactured outrage. What it does provide is real characters. With their points of view. And their flaws that go deeper than the surface issue. Are guns the problem? Walker doesn't claim to have that answer in her work. Instead, she asks questions, and asks us to ask questions. What a challenging work! ”
  • Emma Goldman-Sherman:
    21 Feb. 2023
    “ Great skill. Friends with Guns is so illuminating. The discomfort that unfolds is so masterfully crafted. A play I'd love to see produced. I am in awe. It is the honesty that does it for me. A rich and authentic experience. ”
  • Nick Perry:
    21 Feb. 2023
    “ I really loved this script and concept. The journey that each character goes on is fantastic and the climax had me right on the edge of my seat. Highly recommend. ”
View all 30 recommendations

Character Information

  • SHANNON
    early 40s,
    White
    ,
    Female
    She/her/hers. Stressed out mom to two young boys (2 & 5.) Liberal. Suffers from anxiety of the 'everything-needs-to-be-perfect-and-especially-I-need-to-be-perfect variety. She has a lot of fear that stops her in life. Wouldn't even know how to be begin to re-claim her power though she wants to. She's a great mom, but shackled by the expectations of what a "great mom" should be. So though she is one, she never feels like it. Realtor. Married to Josh.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • LEAH
    early 40s,
    BIPOC
    ,
    Female
    She/Her/Hers. Wicked smart hippie/boho/punk mom who surfs and does yoga, is a self-proclaimed mathlete and is handy with a table saw and knitting needles. She is an empath and a connector. She's a deep eye contact kind of woman who really sees you and doesn't judge. Truly. Married to Danny. (Must be a different race/ethnicity than Danny.)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any actor of color
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • JOSH
    early 40s,
    White
    ,
    Male
    He/Him/His. Liberal democrat. Married to Shannon. Father to their two boys. Is the main bread winner. Works a decent but boring job (Data scientist at Hulu.) Has a great sense of humor. Is pretty self-aware, for the most part. Fancies himself a feminist. Knows deep down that he has an unhealthy relationship with his smart phone but would never admit that to his wife. Everybody loves Josh.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • DANNY
    early 40s,
    BIPOC
    ,
    Male
    He/Him/His. Leah's husband. (Must be played by a BIPOC actor not of the same race as Leah.) Exudes a laid-back coolness that is ingrained in his DNA. This man was just born that way. He is a former shortstop for the Toronto Blue Jays. Grew up in Montana. Owns his own old-fashioned printing press. Distills his own whiskey. Fly fishes. And can really rock a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. He is cool and it comes easy. He is not trying, NOT ever trying to be cool. He just is. Some people might wrongly assume he's a hipster. He's not a hipster. Don't ever call him that. He's pre-hipster. He's DANNY.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any actor of color
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Chapel Theatre Collective - Milwaukie, Oregon
    ,
    2019
  • Professional
    ,
    The Road Theatre Company - Los Angeles, CA
    ,
    2019

Awards

Winner
,
BEST PLAY OF THE YEAR
,
Valley Theatre Awards
,
2019
Semi-Finalist
,
Downstage Left Residency
,
Stage Left
,
2017