THE LILAC TICKET, a romantic dramedy

by CJ Ehrlich

At the medical group, Sam and Barb confront two secrets that threaten their 50-year marriage: one happening now, in the waiting room, and the other, a long-buried secret.

The Lilac Ticket has delighted audiences (and "mature" actors) around the world. It is a Heideman Award finalist, published in The Best American Short Plays of 2014-15.

At the medical group, Sam and Barb confront two secrets that threaten their 50-year marriage: one happening now, in the waiting room, and the other, a long-buried secret.

The Lilac Ticket has delighted audiences (and "mature" actors) around the world. It is a Heideman Award finalist, published in The Best American Short Plays of 2014-15.

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THE LILAC TICKET, a romantic dramedy

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  • Larry Rinkel: THE LILAC TICKET, a romantic dramedy

    An old Jewish married couple, fighting like — an old Jewish married couple. Feeling the ravages of age, fighting over the smallest things, the man getting too old to drive safely, both living in their memories that come across not as "exposition" but the characterization of an old couple who can only live by remembering their youth. And a fling the younger Sam resisted involving a room number written on a lilac ticket by a temptress with a great tush. Confession, forgiveness, love, fidelity are at the heart of this little gem, where even Bernie Madoff gets in there.

    An old Jewish married couple, fighting like — an old Jewish married couple. Feeling the ravages of age, fighting over the smallest things, the man getting too old to drive safely, both living in their memories that come across not as "exposition" but the characterization of an old couple who can only live by remembering their youth. And a fling the younger Sam resisted involving a room number written on a lilac ticket by a temptress with a great tush. Confession, forgiveness, love, fidelity are at the heart of this little gem, where even Bernie Madoff gets in there.

  • James Hutchison: THE LILAC TICKET, a romantic dramedy

    What a terrific little play. So, many plays are about the dark sides of life that’s it’s a real joy to find a play that celebrates the good things in life. Filled with humour and a beautiful story about long time love and relationships The Lilac Ticket is easy to stage, will deliver plenty of laughs, and leave your audience feeling good about life. No wonder it’s had so many productions.

    What a terrific little play. So, many plays are about the dark sides of life that’s it’s a real joy to find a play that celebrates the good things in life. Filled with humour and a beautiful story about long time love and relationships The Lilac Ticket is easy to stage, will deliver plenty of laughs, and leave your audience feeling good about life. No wonder it’s had so many productions.

Production History

  • Type Community Theater, Organization Actors Theatre Playhouse, W. Chesterfield, NH, Year 2020
  • Type Community Theater, Organization Theatre One, Alley Theatre, Middleboro, MA, Year 2020
  • Type Community Theater, Organization Nantucket Short Play Festival, Nantucket, MA, Year 2019
  • Type Community Theater, Organization Players Guild of Leonia, Leonia, NJ, Year 2018
  • Type Community Theater, Organization South Street Players, NJ, Year 2017
  • Type Fringe, Organization LA Female Playwrights Initiative, LBDI national tour, at Samuel French bookshop, LA, Year 2016
  • Type Fringe, Organization Readers Theatre Repertory of San Pedro, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, Year 2016
  • Type Professional, Organization Acadiana Rep Theatre, Lafayette, LA (Little Black Dress INK national tour) , Year 2016
  • Type Professional, Organization Jewish Women's Theatre at the Braid, Los Angeles, "Our Men Have Their Say", Year 2016
  • Type Professional, Organization Paw Paw Village Players, MI (audience choice award), Year 2016
  • Type Professional, Organization Red Earth Theatre, Sedona AZ (Little Black Dress INK), Year 2016
  • Type Professional, Organization Red Earth Theatre, Sedona AZ (Little Black Dress INK), Year 2016
  • Type Professional, Organization Standard ToyKraft Theatre, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY, Year 2016
  • Type Professional, Organization OnStage Atlanta (GA), Year 2015
  • Type Professional, Organization West Coast Players, Clearwater, FL (festival winner), Year 2015
  • Type Professional, Organization Atlanta Theater-to-Go, touring production, Atlanta, GA, Year 2014
  • Type Professional, Organization BolderLife Festival, Denver CO, Year 2014
  • Type Professional, Organization Diez Minutos Festival, San Miguel de Allende Theatre, Mexico, Year 2014
  • Type Professional, Organization Boquete Players, Panama, Year 2013
  • Type Professional, Organization Jewish Women’s Theatre of Los Angeles, CA, Year 2013
  • Type Professional, Organization SETC (Southeast Regional Theatre Conf), Stage Door Productions "Trilogy", Year 2013
  • Type Professional, Organization Short & Sweet Chennai 2013, Chennai (Madras), India, Year 2013
  • Type Professional, Organization Women in Theatre (WIT), Kauai Shorts, Hawaii, Year 2013
  • Type Professional, Organization Arsenal Theatre for Boston Theatre Marathon, Boston Playwrights Theatre, Boston, MA, Year 2012
  • Type Professional, Organization Jewish Women's Theatre of LA, Year 2012
  • Type Professional, Organization Stage Door Productions, Fredericksburg, VA, productions 2011, 2012, State Winner 2012 (in "Trilogy"), Year 2012
  • Type Professional, Organization Kaleidoscope Theatre, New York, NY, Year 2010
  • Type Professional, Organization Little Fish “Pick of the Vine 2010,” San Pedro, CA, Year 2010

Awards

  • Published
    Best American Short Plays of 2014-15, Applause Books
    2016
  • Virginia Theatre Assocation Community Theatre fest
    Stage Door Productions, Culpepper VA (part of "Trilogy")
    Winner
    2012
  • Best Production & Best Actor awards
    Stage Door Productions OAPF, Fredericksburg, VA
    Winner
    2011
  • Finalist
    Short & Sweet Melbourne, Australia
    2013
  • Finalist
    Short & Sweet Sydney, Australia
    2013
  • Heideman Award
    Actors Theatre of Louisville, National Ten-Minute Play Competition
    Finalist
    2011
  • Play of the Day
    Short & Sweet Chennai, India
    2013
  • Festival Winner (Audience Choice)
    West Coast Players Short Play Festival, Clearwater FL
    2015
  • 2nd Place Festival Winner
    Paw Paw Village Players XIX Annual OAPF
    2016
  • Winner
    Paw Paw Village Players XIX Annual OAPF, Paw Paw, MI
    Audience Choice
    2016