A Crooked French Affair by Kim E. Ruyle

[Full-Length]
Perry, a wannabe playwright/director has written his first play, A Crooked French Affair, ostensibly a dramatic romance set in the royal court of Louis the 15th. When he pitches his play to the dysfunctional Board of Directors of the Pity Falls Community Playhouse, it throws them into a conniption fit. Against all odds, Perry’s play is selected, and now the real work begins with the cast...
[Full-Length]
Perry, a wannabe playwright/director has written his first play, A Crooked French Affair, ostensibly a dramatic romance set in the royal court of Louis the 15th. When he pitches his play to the dysfunctional Board of Directors of the Pity Falls Community Playhouse, it throws them into a conniption fit. Against all odds, Perry’s play is selected, and now the real work begins with the cast of amateur, inept actors, who work on a set and in costumes designed by recruits from the local junior high school. Complicating everything is an undercurrent due to the affair between Perry’s wife and the husband of Avis, a board member who is recruited to play a part in Perry’s play. On opening night, the production loses its way yet creates a stunning audience reaction and a fortuitous discovery for Perry.
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A Crooked French Affair

Recommended by

  • Morey Norkin:
    21 Feb. 2023
    “ If you love theater, and you wouldn’t be here if you didn’t, you will absolutely love A CROOKED FRENCH AFFAIR! From the recognizable characters of the community theater board of directors, to the disastrous call for scripts, to the crazy dress rehearsal, there’s so much familiarity yet in a refreshingly new and hilarious story. And at its core, it is a love story. Love of theater and the people who/whom make it! ”
  • Jack Levine:
    25 Sep. 2022
    “ KIM E. RUYLE has written a wonderful, comedic play in which you can thoroughly enjoy the humor while being entertained by interesting characters and relationships. “A Crooked French Affair” will delight audiences and be a big hit at any festival. I highly recommend this play! ”
  • Nora Louise Syran:
    25 Sep. 2022
    “ "Drama is all about conflict" and Kim E Ruyle's comedy serves it up on a plate with "panache"! It will bring much "ah penis” ! Great fun! ”
View all 4 recommendations

Casting for diverse ethnicity and age is encouraged. However, Perry, Avis, Cheyenne, and Chloe should all be about the same age; Louie about the same age or a bit older.
PERRY (PERICLES): Male. An aspiring playwright and director. He lacks confidence but is enthusiastic about his writing. Perry directs his own play in which he also plays the role of François de la Peyronie.
AVIS: Female. Board member. Self-righteous, heavy-handed, and obsessed with the thought of getting revenge on her cheating husband. Agrees to play the part of Madame de Pompadour in the play-within-the-play.
FAWN: Female. Chair of the Board. Overly sensitive, sentimental.
JAZMIN: Female. Board member. Daring, outrageously so.
RUBY: Female. Board member. Practical, conservative, and competent.
SERGIO: Male. Board member. A player.
WILLY: Male. Board member. Highly insecure.
CHLOE: Female. Stage manager. Theatre expert, competent, confident.
CHEYENNE: Female. A serious but struggling method actor. Plays Queen Marie. Narcissistic and entitled.
LOUIE: Male. Ironically, plays King Louis XV. Initially, void of emotion on the stage. Can’t remember his lines to save his life.

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Chicago Dramatists
    ,
    2022

Production History

  • Community Theater
    ,
    Fond du Lac Community Theatre - Part of World Premiere Wisconsin
    ,
    2023