A Crooked French Affair

[Full-Length] Licensing and scripts available from Next Stage Press:
https://www.nextstagepress.com/a-crooked-french-affair
An aspiring playwright-director has penned his very first masterpiece: A Crooked French Affair — a steamy, scandal-laced romance set in the lavish court of Louis XV. Or so he thinks. When he presents his “vision” to the hilariously chaotic Board of Directors at the Pity Falls Community...

[Full-Length] Licensing and scripts available from Next Stage Press:
https://www.nextstagepress.com/a-crooked-french-affair
An aspiring playwright-director has penned his very first masterpiece: A Crooked French Affair — a steamy, scandal-laced romance set in the lavish court of Louis XV. Or so he thinks. When he presents his “vision” to the hilariously chaotic Board of Directors at the Pity Falls Community Playhouse, all hell breaks loose. Yet somehow — whether by fate, folly, or sheer confusion — the play gets the green light. Now comes the real drama: wrangling a hopelessly unskilled cast of local amateurs into something resembling a performance. Let the misadventures begin. Written by Wisconsin playwright Kim E. Ruyle, A Crooked French Affair is hilarious, irreverent, and a whole lot of fun!

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A Crooked French Affair

Recommended by

  • Paul Donnelly: A Crooked French Affair

    From the selection of the play to the final opening night curtain, the laughs abound in A Crooked French Affair. Wittily skewering technophobia, board politics, actor quirks, urology, and the course of true (and not so true) love, the humor escalates to a rousing conclusion. Every element, including the set, contributes to the fun. This brilliantly crafted play is sure to be a hit with every audience.

    From the selection of the play to the final opening night curtain, the laughs abound in A Crooked French Affair. Wittily skewering technophobia, board politics, actor quirks, urology, and the course of true (and not so true) love, the humor escalates to a rousing conclusion. Every element, including the set, contributes to the fun. This brilliantly crafted play is sure to be a hit with every audience.

  • Jacquelyn Floyd-Priskorn: A Crooked French Affair

    This is a "play that goes wrong" starting from the play selection with the board until the play goes oh so very right opening night! So much fun to be had with the staging and characters. Very relatable to those in the world of theatre as well as to audiences new to the theatre, who will love getting a little behind the scenes glimpse of how a play gets made. Including the bit where the board doesn't even read the script, but makes very pointed and confident assumptions about it!

    This is a "play that goes wrong" starting from the play selection with the board until the play goes oh so very right opening night! So much fun to be had with the staging and characters. Very relatable to those in the world of theatre as well as to audiences new to the theatre, who will love getting a little behind the scenes glimpse of how a play gets made. Including the bit where the board doesn't even read the script, but makes very pointed and confident assumptions about it!

  • Tom Erb: A Crooked French Affair

    "Crooked French Affair" is a theatrical gem. The writing is sharp and engaging, the characters are vividly crafted, and the dialogue sparkles with wit. Each scene unfolds with precision, painting a colorful tapestry of 18th-century France. It's a delightful blend of history and humor that captivates from start to finish. It is a true testament to Ruyle's talent as a playwright.

    "Crooked French Affair" is a theatrical gem. The writing is sharp and engaging, the characters are vividly crafted, and the dialogue sparkles with wit. Each scene unfolds with precision, painting a colorful tapestry of 18th-century France. It's a delightful blend of history and humor that captivates from start to finish. It is a true testament to Ruyle's talent as a playwright.

View all 8 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

  • Type Reading, Organization Chicago Dramatists, Year 2022

Production History

  • Type Community Theater, Organization Kettle Moraine Playhouse, Year 2026
  • Type Community Theater, Organization Fond du Lac Community Theatre - Part of World Premiere Wisconsin, Year 2023

Awards

  • Finalist in Generic Theatre New Plays for Dog Days Festival
    Finalist
    2024
  • 2023 Seven Devils Playwright Conference
    Semi-Finalist