Paul Braverman

The year is 2045, and a dark cloud once again covers the country. The Constitution is suspended, Congress is in long term recess, the Supreme Court is reduced, and the wrong “aura” can get you deported. In a time when facts are optional and delusion is policy, all it takes is one spark to burn down a forest of lies.

Ed passed away thirty-two years ago. On what would’ve been his sixtieth birthday, Ed’s Brother visits the grave for the first time since the funeral for a long overdue reconciliation.

* Playwrights Thriving 2026 Title: ERSTWHILE

TRIGGER WARNING
This play contains references to suicide, suicidal ideations, and drug addiction.

On Easter Sunday, 1987, the last California Condor in the wild was captured and brought into the San Diego Wild Animal Park as part of an effort to save the species, which was down its last 22 members. The goal was to get the birds to mate in captivity as a first step towards re-populating the species in the wild. This was the first day of that effort; it did not go as planned.

Two of Santa’s reindeer have gone rogue, and now an innocent Grandma lies dead in the street. Is there any way to make sense out of all this? Probably not.

Written for the 2025 Playwrights Thriving Secret Santa Title Exchange.

For the first time in many years, the Hunters have gathered for dinner. The family patriarch is dead. Something truly horrible has been bequeathed. Dear God, it’s not a timeshare, is it? Oh no, this is something much worse, and it begs the question, “What’s for dinner?”

Inspired by "The Wolf Man" for the 2025 Playwrights Thriving Spooky Writing Challenge

The Capitol riot on January 6th shows what can happen when a troubled man evangelizes a big lie. It happened again on January 7th, but this time it was in the back room of a closed Jiffy Lube in Philly. When all else fails, it’s time for Plan Z. This is a one-act play that unfolds in real time.

Why are we here? What happens after we ascend? Is there “life after rotation”? As Hot Dogs on the left and right wrestle over these questions, the Hot Dog in the Middle struggles to complete even a single rotation. Will they overcome their diverse beliefs for the greater good?

Alan has been seeing his trusted psychiatrist Dr. Young for three years, as he attempts to work through his assortment of issues and phobias. But today is different. Today is the day that Alan finds out reality isn’t real

These are troubling times for the United Stories and Rhymes Characters’ Union. The human characters have been in control, but now the animal characters have formed a coalition with the inanimate characters. It will take everything he’s got for Ol’ King Cole to overcome a determined Spoon.

The Third Little Pig knows that brick is the best defense against the Wolf. Good luck convincing the other two pigs of that, as they have chosen to trust a different voice. But things are not as they appear. Some will live happily ever after, and some will not.

Phil is young, loud and madly in love with the woman who dumped him. Jack is middle-aged, well employed and madly in love with the woman who dumped him. Empathy soon turns to outrage as two fools make one last, desperate attempt for love.

Dan is just a regular, working guy. He drives a garbage truck, pays his bills, and minds his own business. He likes to end his day with a relaxing stroll in the park, but this evening, Dan has taken a wrong turn, a very wrong turn. If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll find his way out quickly, while keeping a firm grip on his wallet.

The Feldmans are awakened in the middle of the night when a time-travelling stranger lands in their bedroom. He demands that the Feldmans perform a miracle, or humanity will soon perish. Unfortunately, agreeing to dance “The Hustle” is not quite the miracle needed…but it is an excellent start!

Like many corporations, International Unlimited has fallen on hard times. Now, in their darkest hour, the Executives at I.U. look to their best employee – Bindleman. Will Bindleman have the courage and fortitude to do what is necessary? Will he make himself available to every employee at I.U., and will it make a mess?

Myles Clark is an Actor. Drama, comedy, musical – you name it (but movement really isn’t his thing). The stage is his candy store, but not today. Today, those bright lights have never felt hotter, as the dark stranger in the back of the hall holds court. A simple audition for a new play has gone very wrong, dissolving into improvised song, and pig latin. If there is mime, there will be hell to pay.

Sure, Frankie Payne was the first female detective on the Boston Police force, but that was a long time ago. Now it’s 1962 – Camelot they called it. Frankie’s East Boston is a grittier place, filled with greed, lust and violence. Worn down but not quite washed up, Frankie is now a gin-soaked private detective, making a living off of any two bit job she can get. She didn’t know that when Milt Stafford walked into her office, the devastating events that drive her from the force would follow him in. Set in the midst of the Irish gang war, this gritty detective yarn is told with a classic film noir aesthetic.