Road Trip

by Jan Probst

Allen and Mary clash over differing views of the perfect road trip. When the family gets involved, and the carefully marked map is tossed out, more than the route is changed.

Allen and Mary clash over differing views of the perfect road trip. When the family gets involved, and the carefully marked map is tossed out, more than the route is changed.

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Road Trip

Recommended by

  • Donald E. Baker: Road Trip by Jan Probst
    “

    We've probably all seen or even written plays wherein two chairs represent a car onstage. Here the two chairs are occupied by Allen the over-detailed trip planner and Mary his longsuffering wife. In due course they are joined by four additional people. Watching the six of them acting out stuffing themselves into the pretend car promises much hilarity. And then comes the twist concerning what is really happening on this "road trip" and where this ersatz car really is. And finally pomposity gets its comeuppance in a satisfying conclusion. All in ten delightful minutes. Great work.

    We've probably all seen or even written plays wherein two chairs represent a car onstage. Here the two chairs are occupied by Allen the over-detailed trip planner and Mary his longsuffering wife. In due course they are joined by four additional people. Watching the six of them acting out stuffing themselves into the pretend car promises much hilarity. And then comes the twist concerning what is really happening on this "road trip" and where this ersatz car really is. And finally pomposity gets its comeuppance in a satisfying conclusion. All in ten delightful minutes. Great work.

    ”
  • Evan Baughfman: Road Trip by Jan Probst
    “

    What a clever comedic premise! A whirlwind of a script with a very funny ending! Published in THE BEST TEN-MINUTE PLAYS 2023!

    What a clever comedic premise! A whirlwind of a script with a very funny ending! Published in THE BEST TEN-MINUTE PLAYS 2023!

    ”
  • Paul Donnelly: Road Trip by Jan Probst
    “

    The old school map isn't all that's revealed to be not quite what it seems in this loopy farce. Every escalation in the absurdity brought new waves of laughter. That Mary ultimately takes charge is the perfect button.

    The old school map isn't all that's revealed to be not quite what it seems in this loopy farce. Every escalation in the absurdity brought new waves of laughter. That Mary ultimately takes charge is the perfect button.

    ”
View all 12 recommendations

Character Information

Requires six actors, to complete the crowded, crazy image of the over-full two-door car.
Feel free to mix up the genders, and/or use nonbinary actors. Nontraditional casting is encouraged.
  • Jack T.
    Their son. Twenty-nine years old. He has never quite grown up.
    29
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Aunt Pat
    Mary’s sister.
    forties or fifties
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Uncle Joe
    Allen’s brother.
    forties or fifties
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Michael
    Jack’s best friend since childhood.
    29
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Allen T.
    Buttoned down in personality and appearance.
    Fifties
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Mary T.
    Allen’s wife of thirty years. A former free spirit, her enthusiasm for life has been dampened over the years.
    fifties
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Reading, Valdez Theatre Conference, 2019
  • Reading, Bunnell Street Arts Center, 2019

Production History