An Infinite Number of Monkeys

by Dan West

ONE-ACT (~25 Minutes): Maxwell Page, founder of Page Publishing, has solved the author problem. Why pay writers when an infinite number of monkeys on an infinite number of typewriters will eventually produce everything worth reading — and already have? His operation is booming, the competition is dead, and his last human author has just been shown the door clutching a final royalty check. Then comes the monkey...

ONE-ACT (~25 Minutes): Maxwell Page, founder of Page Publishing, has solved the author problem. Why pay writers when an infinite number of monkeys on an infinite number of typewriters will eventually produce everything worth reading — and already have? His operation is booming, the competition is dead, and his last human author has just been shown the door clutching a final royalty check. Then comes the monkey virus. Then the banana shortage. A dark comedy about hubris, the myth of infinite scalability, and the dangers of replacing human creativity with systems you can't actually control — the play that A.I. doesn't want you to see.

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An Infinite Number of Monkeys

Recommended by

  • Morey Norkin: An Infinite Number of Monkeys by Dan West
    “

    Is AI going to replace human creativity? Or is the real threat from… monkeys?! Dan West’s brilliant satire takes a hilarious look at the future of writing and publishing when the human element is removed. So many laugh-out-loud moments and skewering of the publishing industry. One thing is certain, neither AI nor any number of monkeys could have come up with such a clever one-act.

    Is AI going to replace human creativity? Or is the real threat from… monkeys?! Dan West’s brilliant satire takes a hilarious look at the future of writing and publishing when the human element is removed. So many laugh-out-loud moments and skewering of the publishing industry. One thing is certain, neither AI nor any number of monkeys could have come up with such a clever one-act.

    ”
  • Marus Anet: An Infinite Number of Monkeys by Dan West
    “

    A sharp, fast-paced satire that lands every punch. Dan West spins a hilarious premise into a biting commentary on art, commerce, and the illusion of control. The dialogue crackles, the stakes escalate beautifully, and the ending hits with perfect absurdity.

    A sharp, fast-paced satire that lands every punch. Dan West spins a hilarious premise into a biting commentary on art, commerce, and the illusion of control. The dialogue crackles, the stakes escalate beautifully, and the ending hits with perfect absurdity.

    ”
  • John Busser: An Infinite Number of Monkeys by Dan West
    “

    04.01.26 - Oh, I loved this darkly farcical stab at the hoops we jump through to maintain creativity. Max thinks he has it all figured out with his infinite monkey scheme, but like all terribly good schemes, he cut just enough corners to make sure it came back to bite him in the ag2hcu&d##j. Uh oh, I must be r&%nin@ out o4 mo(:k3y555. Sorry, thi6 revie55 i5 *V3R.................

    04.01.26 - Oh, I loved this darkly farcical stab at the hoops we jump through to maintain creativity. Max thinks he has it all figured out with his infinite monkey scheme, but like all terribly good schemes, he cut just enough corners to make sure it came back to bite him in the ag2hcu&d##j. Uh oh, I must be r&%nin@ out o4 mo(:k3y555. Sorry, thi6 revie55 i5 *V3R.................

    ”
View all 9 recommendations

Character Information

  • Maxwell Page
    40s
    Male
  • Zelda
    30s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • Antonio Isaac
    30s
  • Kirk Barnagut
    Elderly