Building Madness! a 1930s Screwball Comedy

by Kate Danley

FULL LENGTH Screwball Comedy

- WINNER - PANOWSKI PLAYWRITING AWARD
- NOMINATED FOR THIRTEEN BROADWAY WORLD REGIONAL AWARDS

The year is 1930. The stock market has just crashed. Max and Paul are just trying to keep their architecture company afloat, but they accidentally hired the mob to build a police retirement home. With the "help" of their dizzy secretary, Trixie, they may never get the project done, but...

FULL LENGTH Screwball Comedy

- WINNER - PANOWSKI PLAYWRITING AWARD
- NOMINATED FOR THIRTEEN BROADWAY WORLD REGIONAL AWARDS

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Building Madness! a 1930s Screwball Comedy

Recommended by

Brian Olsen: Building Madness! a 1930s Screwball Comedy by Kate Danley

“

I directed a staged reading of this a few years back and it is as much fun to work on as it is to see. Whip-smart comedy; every role is a gem for a comic actor wanting to let loose.

I directed a staged reading of this a few years back and it is as much fun to work on as it is to see. Whip-smart comedy; every role is a gem for a comic actor wanting to let loose.

”
Morey Norkin: Building Madness! a 1930s Screwball Comedy by Kate Danley

“

Thank you, Kate Danley, for keeping screwball comedy alive! This is such a fun read. You can’t help but picture your favorite 1930s screen stars in the various roles. Sharp, fast-paced dialogue, mixed with riotous physical comedy will keep audiences in stitches. The numerous awards and productions tell you that this is a winner!

Thank you, Kate Danley, for keeping screwball comedy alive! This is such a fun read. You can’t help but picture your favorite 1930s screen stars in the various roles. Sharp, fast-paced dialogue, mixed with riotous physical comedy will keep audiences in stitches. The numerous awards and productions tell you that this is a winner!

”
Jerry Polner: Building Madness! a 1930s Screwball Comedy by Kate Danley

“

Kate Danley doesn’t miss a screwball comedy trick in this wonderfully funny story about two architectural partners doing business with the police commissioner’s daughter while they’re in hock to the mob. Set in 1930 with all the right dialect, it runs like eggs in coffee. Produce this play!

Kate Danley doesn’t miss a screwball comedy trick in this wonderfully funny story about two architectural partners doing business with the police commissioner’s daughter while they’re in hock to the mob. Set in 1930 with all the right dialect, it runs like eggs in coffee. Produce this play!

”

View all 5 recommendations

Character Information

Non-traditional casting is encouraged.

Trixie Fuller

Dizzy secretary at TF Architecture. Crazy like a fox. (Strong comedian)

Character Age

20s - 40s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s,
  
  30s,
  
  40s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Woman
Paul Fielding

a down-to-earth, easy-going architect with a casual charisma

Character Age

20s - 40s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Male
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s,
  
  30s,
  
  40s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Man
Max Marshall

A dashing, passionate, and ridiculously insecure architect desperate for love. Vulnerable in the bluster. A beta dog put into an alpha position.

Character Age

20s - 40s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Male
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s,
  
  30s,
  
  40s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Man
Gwen Gladwell

a witty, smart socialite who is a fool when it comes to love

Character Age

20s - 40s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s,
  
  30s,
  
  40s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Woman
Ruby Deleoni

the va-va-va-voom head of the Deleoni family

Character Age

30s - 50s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  30s,
  
  40s,
  
  50s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Woman
Vito Deleoni

Ruby's nephew. A tough but dim mobster.

Character Age

20s - 40s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Male
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s,
  
  30s,
  
  40s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Man

Development History

Type Reading, Organization Genesius Theatre, Year 2025
Type Reading, Organization Parson's Nose, Year 2023
Type Reading, Organization TheatreLab UK, Year 2017
Type Reading, Organization Seattle Playwrights Salon, Year 2017
Type Reading, Organization Theatrelab UK, Year 2015
Type Reading, Organization Eclectic Theatre, Year 2015
Type Reading, Organization Friday Night Footlights Reading presented at the Frederick Lowe Room of the Dramatists Guild, NYC, Year 2015

Production History

Type Community Theater, Organization Edom Civic Theatre, Year 2025
Type High School, Organization Los Osos High School, Year 2023
Type Professional, Harlequin Productions, Year 2023
Type University, Organization Freed-Hardeman University, Year 2020
Type High School, Organization Woodstock High School, Year 2018
Type Community Theater, Organization Grande Prairie Live Theatre, Year 2017
Type University, Organization Northern Michigan University, Year 2017
Type Fringe, Organization Grove Theatre Center, Year 2016

Awards

BroadwayWorld Seattle Regional Awards - 13 Nominations

BroadwayWorld

2024
2016 PANOWSKI Playwriting Award

Northern Michigan University

Winner

2016

Genre

comedy,

farce,

period,

romantic comedy

Subject Matter Keywords

joyful,

Fun,

mafia

Length

60-90 minutes,

90 minutes to two hours

Cast Size

Age of Intended Audience

all ages

Narrative Attributes

Centers Female Characters

Supporting Materials

Published Script

http://amzn.to/1Wr8snu

Script Sample

BUILDING MADNESS First Ten.pdf

Reviews

Drama in the Hood

“
A very witty script, high speed repartee, a fairly farcical situation, elements of a bedroom farce and an underrated female from the “lower classes” who outwits everybody.
”
AndrewThaScribe

“
I laughed so hard, my mask exploded off my face!
”
Chase D. Anderson, NWTHEATRE

“
Building Madness is a farce for the ages.
”
The Suburban Times

“
Building Madness is one of those stories like the original “His Girl Friday” the most famous American screwball comedy of all times, that could eventually develop a huge following. In the meantime, you should order your tickets now and enjoy.
”
OlyArts

“
For people who love those great old comedies from Hollywood’s Golden Era of the 1930s, “Building Madness” is a ticket to hilarity.
”
John K. Adams, Tolucan Times

“
If you love those great old screwball comedies from Hollywood’s Golden Era of the 1930s, you will love Building Madness…The plot is straight-forward fun, and what author Danley does with it is rich.
”
Daily Herald Tribune

“
This play is for everybody; it is a farce, it is a comedy; you will laugh, you will have fun. And it’s meant for all audiences, it’s meant for all ages. It’s clean, so kids can attend.
”
Martyn Martello, The Mining Journal

“
Building Madness unfolds on stage like some of the great 1930s movie comedies — think The Thin Man or It Happened One Night — weaving innuendo and intrigue, good guys and crooks, witty wordplay, romance, and some sight gags as well into a well-crafted and entertaining package.
”