Brawler by Walt McGough

Adam was the scariest man in the National Hockey League, but now he’s been demoted to the minors, gotten high on painkillers and trashed the locker room at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. His friends need to talk him down before he gets into real trouble, but he’s got his own agenda, and is spoiling for one last fight. A modern-day riff on Sophocles’ "Ajax," seen through the lens of the last true gladiator sport.
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Brawler

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear:
    9 Jun. 2021
    “ A fascinating reveal of masculinity and addiction in the sports world that can parallel what we have seen in greek tragedy. Well done. ”
  • Nick Malakhow:
    6 Jan. 2020
    “ A searing and tightly written exploration of masculinity refracted through addiction, athletics, and Greek-tragedy-worthy hubris. In three potent and to-the-point scenes, McGough poses many questions and offers no easy answers about the dangers of self-medication in the professional sports world. The dialogue moves at a brisk pace and reveals character elegantly as it propels the plot forward. I'd love to see this staged! ”
  • Straton Rushing:
    12 Dec. 2019
    “ I had the pleasure of seeing this show at Boston Playwright's back in 2018 and it was haunting. The show is a fascinating commentary on masculinity, power and what it means when your talent becomes a commodity. McGough knocked this one out of the park. ”
View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

  • Adam "Moose" Moser
    29,
    White
    ,
    Male
    A minor league hockey enforcer, currently based in Providence after a stint with the Bruins. Wears his scars like merit badges.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Oliver "Odie" Dupres
    28,
    White
    ,
    Male
    Childhood friend of Adam's; a hockey prodigy and currently the star center for the Boston Bruins.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Trisha Marks
    26,
    White
    ,
    Female
    Adam's girlfriend. Roxbury native; a nurse at a free clinic in South Boston.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Jerry Miller
    22,
    Black
    ,
    Male
    The night guard at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. African American. Former hockey player, now megafan.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Boston Playwrights Theatre
    ,
    2016

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Boston Playwrights Theatre
    ,
    2018
  • Professional
    ,
    The Kitchen Theatre
    ,
    2018