Plainclothes

WINNER, M. Elizabeth Osborn Award, American Theatre Critics' Association
FINALIST, Harold & Mimi Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award

When a violent encounter with a shoplifter leaves half of their team fired or in the hospital, the security guards of a downtown Chicago retail store find themselves under corporate investigation. Short-staffed, ill prepared, and faced with accusations that threaten to dismantle the...

WINNER, M. Elizabeth Osborn Award, American Theatre Critics' Association
FINALIST, Harold & Mimi Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award

When a violent encounter with a shoplifter leaves half of their team fired or in the hospital, the security guards of a downtown Chicago retail store find themselves under corporate investigation. Short-staffed, ill prepared, and faced with accusations that threaten to dismantle the crew, they’re forced to decide: do we give the higher-ups exactly what they want, or do we try to do what’s right – even if it means risking everything? PLAINCLOTHES is a story of tribalism and taking a stand set against the bright, boisterous backdrop of the holiday shopping season.

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Plainclothes

Recommended by

  • Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend: Plainclothes

    Plainclothes is such a fabulous play! It deals with racial profiling and the us vs them mentality while at the same time being hugely entertaining and often hilarious. The characters are rich and the kind of roles actors dream of. I really love how Plainclothes handles so many big issues without ever feeling preachy. This play is great.

    Plainclothes is such a fabulous play! It deals with racial profiling and the us vs them mentality while at the same time being hugely entertaining and often hilarious. The characters are rich and the kind of roles actors dream of. I really love how Plainclothes handles so many big issues without ever feeling preachy. This play is great.

  • Chandler Hubbard: Plainclothes

    Taut and full of tension, while still allowing time to showcase hilarious, all-too-human characters. A damning indictment of class, capitalism and structural iniquity without ever stooping to the level of a "problem piece".

    Taut and full of tension, while still allowing time to showcase hilarious, all-too-human characters. A damning indictment of class, capitalism and structural iniquity without ever stooping to the level of a "problem piece".

  • Conor McShane: Plainclothes

    A hilarious, devastating, electrifying play that wades into the murky waters of loyalty, tribalism, and the special bonds people make working crappy jobs. Davis crafts such a likable and believable group of teammates with a finely tuned ear for the way coworkers interact, and how corporate management pits workers against each other. I laughed out loud just reading it, I can imagine it's even more potent onstage!

    A hilarious, devastating, electrifying play that wades into the murky waters of loyalty, tribalism, and the special bonds people make working crappy jobs. Davis crafts such a likable and believable group of teammates with a finely tuned ear for the way coworkers interact, and how corporate management pits workers against each other. I laughed out loud just reading it, I can imagine it's even more potent onstage!

View all 9 recommendations

Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization Broken Nose Theatre, Chicago, Year 2018

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Broken Nose Theatre, Chicago, Year 2018

Awards

  • Joseph Jefferson Award, Best Ensemble of the Year
    Winner
  • M. Elizabeth Osborn New Play Award
    American Theatre Critics Association
    Winner
  • Harold and Mimi Steinberg/American Theatre Critics Association New Play Award
    Finalist