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.

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: Brawler by Walt McGough
    “

    A fascinating reveal of masculinity and addiction in the sports world that can parallel what we have seen in greek tragedy. Well done.

    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: Brawler by Walt McGough
    “

    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!

    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: Brawler by Walt McGough
    “

    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.

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

Development History

  • Reading, Boston Playwrights Theatre, 2016

Production History

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