THE PROS AND CONS OF IMPLOSION

by R. D. Murphy

10 MINUTE PLAY
Allie is a whip-smart, mechanically inclined high school senior who is a car whisperer. She wants to restore her neighbor’s Volvo which has been left to rust for 20 years. Simple plan, right? Depends on what you know about implosion.
Published in SMITH AND KRAUS THE BEST TEN-MINUTE PLAYS 2025.

10 MINUTE PLAY
Allie is a whip-smart, mechanically inclined high school senior who is a car whisperer. She wants to restore her neighbor’s Volvo which has been left to rust for 20 years. Simple plan, right? Depends on what you know about implosion.
Published in SMITH AND KRAUS THE BEST TEN-MINUTE PLAYS 2025.

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THE PROS AND CONS OF IMPLOSION

Recommended by

  • Patrick Gabridge: THE PROS AND CONS OF IMPLOSION by R. D. Murphy
    “

    This is simply a lovely ten-minute play. We get brought in with a few laughs and a guy who seems to be a bit crotchety, and then bam, we're hit with something very real, very deep. I'm a sucker for engineer characters and Allie is awesome. I love the connection between the two. Highly recommend this one.

    This is simply a lovely ten-minute play. We get brought in with a few laughs and a guy who seems to be a bit crotchety, and then bam, we're hit with something very real, very deep. I'm a sucker for engineer characters and Allie is awesome. I love the connection between the two. Highly recommend this one.

    ”
  • Jillian Blevins: THE PROS AND CONS OF IMPLOSION by R. D. Murphy
    “

    This short—on its surface about a teen mechanical genius and her crotchety neighbor—speaks volumes in subtext. Through a disagreement about an old car, Murphy explores community, intergenerational tensions, grief, and hope for the future. Rarely can a play invoke 9/11 in a way that feels fresh, specific, and powerful. IMPLOSION does so, to devastating and thought-thought provoking effect, with the lightest of touches.

    This short—on its surface about a teen mechanical genius and her crotchety neighbor—speaks volumes in subtext. Through a disagreement about an old car, Murphy explores community, intergenerational tensions, grief, and hope for the future. Rarely can a play invoke 9/11 in a way that feels fresh, specific, and powerful. IMPLOSION does so, to devastating and thought-thought provoking effect, with the lightest of touches.

    ”
  • Samantha Marchant: THE PROS AND CONS OF IMPLOSION by R. D. Murphy
    “

    A strong dynamic between these two characters and outlooks.

    A strong dynamic between these two characters and outlooks.

    ”
View all 11 recommendations
1 W, 1 M


ALLIE: 17-18

MR. GORDON: 50-60

Production History

  • Professional, HELLTOWN PLAYERS, Cape Cod MA, 2025
  • Professional, City Theatre Miami, SUMMER SHORTS, Miami FL, 2024
  • Community Theater, Lake Shore Center for the Arts, Westfield NY, 2023
  • Professional, 47th Annual Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival, 2022
  • Professional, Boston Theater Marathon XXIV (Boston Playwrights Theater), 2022

Awards

  • First Place - Drama
    Juice Box Organic One Act Play Competition
    Winner
    2023