Smoke Gets in Your House by
A Southern California wildfire changes the lives of two couples.
Ken Levine
Ken Levine
Ken Levine is an Emmy winning writer/director/playwright/major league baseball announcer. He's an Associated Member of the Ensemble Studio Theatre in Los Angeles. He has a blog and popular podcast, Hollywood and Levine. His full-length comedies have been performed in Los Angeles, New York, and around the country. Actors who have appeared in Levine's plays include Jason Alexander, Ed Asner, Peter...
Ken Levine is an Emmy winning writer/director/playwright/major league baseball announcer. He's an Associated Member of the Ensemble Studio Theatre in Los Angeles. He has a blog and popular podcast, Hollywood and Levine. His full-length comedies have been performed in Los Angeles, New York, and around the country. Actors who have appeared in Levine's plays include Jason Alexander, Ed Asner, Peter Gallagher, Penny Peyser, George Wendt, Andrew Rannells, Wendie Malick, Joanna Gleason, Ryan O’Neal, Kurtwood Smith, David Rasche, Chip Zien, Paul Dooley, Matthew Letscher, Kerry Butler, Felicia Boswell, Max Crumm, and Jennifer Tilly. Ken has also had numerous one-acts performed around the world, and many have received awards. Ken has written over 200 episodes of television for such shows as MASH, Cheers, Frasier, the Simpsons, and Wings. He has directed over 60 TV episodes including Everybody Loves Raymond, Frasier, Wings, Becker, Just Shoot Me, and Dharma & Greg. Additionally, Ken has been the play-by-play voice of the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners, and San Diego Padres and hosted Dodger Talk for eight seasons. He's done more but that's enough.
Plays
Surf's Up - Zoom version by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 6··Cast:2Genre: comedy·Keyword: Fathers and Daughters, comedy + 4 moreGenre: comedyKeyword: Fathers and Daughters, comedy, surfing, summer, midlife crisis, peter panPeter (50’s) announces to his Millennial daughter, Wendy that he has quit his job and is going on an “endless summer” to surf around the world. And he invites her to shake up her
button-down life and join him.On the Farce Day of Christmas by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 6··Cast:6Genre: comedy, farce + 2 more·Keyword: christmas, holiday + 3 moreGenre: comedy, farce, holiday, romantic comedyKeyword: christmas, holiday, Farce, family, romantic comedyTo keep her religious mother from knowing she's divorced, Wendy pays her ex to pose as her husband and go home for the holidays. Havoc ensues.
America's Sexiest Couple by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 7··Cast:3Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 2 more·Keyword: romantic comedy, dramedy + 3 moreGenre: comedy, dark comedy, drama, romantic comedyKeyword: romantic comedy, dramedy, metoo, television, 80s televisionTwo actors, who were “America’s Sexiest Couple” on a popular ‘80s sitcom reunite for the first time in 30 years. They face a lifetime of unresolved issues, longings, resentments, and regrets. Plus, the network wants to reboot the show. Career and personal aspirations collide. Professionally and personally, where do they go from here?Our Time by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 7··Cast:4Genre: comedy, drama + 3 more·Keyword: coming of age, baby boomers + 5 moreGenre: comedy, drama, faith-based, period, romantic comedyKeyword: coming of age, baby boomers, stand-up, 1970s, sexual revolution, romantic comedy, SexOUR TIME is a loosely autobiographical comedy about breaking into the world of comedy in 1975 Los Angeles. It was a golden era for comedy – sitcoms had come of age and ground breaking series like ALL IN THE FAMILY, THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW, and MASH filled the airwaves, the Comedy Store just began to blossom discovering such talent at David Letterman, Richard Pryor, and Freddie Prinze, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE...OUR TIME is a loosely autobiographical comedy about breaking into the world of comedy in 1975 Los Angeles. It was a golden era for comedy – sitcoms had come of age and ground breaking series like ALL IN THE FAMILY, THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW, and MASH filled the airwaves, the Comedy Store just began to blossom discovering such talent at David Letterman, Richard Pryor, and Freddie Prinze, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE premiered, and creative disc jockeys still reached millions of listeners.
Four young Baby Boomers come of age and try to find their place in this inspiring new world. They face levels of talent, degrees of desire, jealousy, confusion, competition, the sexual revolution, parental pressure, ego, insecurity, religion, discrimination, luck, struggle, and decisions that will affect the rest of their lives. Who will make it and who won’t?
OUR TIME is in one set – a tacky West Hollywood Apartment. There are four characters – three males and one female, all in their 20’s. It’s an affectionate look back at a time when hope and opportunities really did exist. So did disco but that’s largely ignored.
Guilty Pleasures: An Unapologetic Comedy by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 2··Cast:4–5Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 3 more·Keyword: comedy, romantic comedy + 3 moreGenre: comedy, dark comedy, political, romantic comedy, satireKeyword: comedy, romantic comedy, sex romp, Jewish, cruise shipA modern version of a throwback Noel Coward-type screwball comedy set on a cruise ship. A married couple resorts to infidelity to save their marriage.
When Romcoms Go Bad by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 1··Cast:4Genre: comedy, parody/spoof + 1 more·Keyword: romantic comedy, screwball + 3 moreGenre: comedy, parody/spoof, romantic comedyKeyword: romantic comedy, screwball, movie parody, throwback comedy, marriagePutting a modern spin on those screwball romantic comedies (romcoms) of the ‘30s
and ‘40S, the classic trope is set up (beautiful heroine leaves conservative fiancée for former lover
who is a charming cad while her best friend offers comic relief) then turned on its ear. It’s the
romcom ending you’ve never seen.Going Going Gone by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 4··Cast:4Genre: comedy·Keyword: baseball, sports + 4 moreGenre: comedyKeyword: baseball, sports, Jewish, journalism, television reporter, SexSet in the pressbox of a Los Angeles major league baseball stadium, four reporters cover one very memorable game that changes all their lives. The theme is our need to be remembered set in a world where history is more appreciated than the present.The German Play by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 9··Cast:2Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 9 more·Keyword: German, absurd farceGenre: comedy, dark comedy, experimental, farce, movement/physical, parody/spoof, period, political, romantic comedy, satire, translationKeyword: German, absurd farceTwo actors must perform a German play hastily translated into English. It does not go well.
Blind Date by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 1··Cast:2Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 2 more·Keyword: restaurantGenre: comedy, dark comedy, romantic comedy, satireKeyword: restaurantA young couple dines in one of those restaurants that is pitch black. It's a most unusual first date.Dating Through the Decades by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 3··Cast:2Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 5 more·Keyword: dating, 50's + 5 moreGenre: comedy, dark comedy, parody/spoof, period, political, romantic comedy, satireKeyword: dating, 50's, 1960s, 1970s, 80s, 1990s, nostalgiaIn quick vignettes a boy and girl date in every decade from the 1950's until today.
Every 10 minute play in 10 minutes by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 10··Cast:4Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 6 more·Keyword: absurd, spoofGenre: comedy, dark comedy, experimental, farce, melodrama, parody/spoof, romantic comedy, satireKeyword: absurd, spoofThere are a number of familiar tropes for 10 minute plays. This lampoons all of them.Sorry, Shakespeare by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 6··Cast:2Genre: biography, comedy + 5 more·Keyword: Shakespeare, Elizabethan theatre + 2 moreGenre: biography, comedy, dark comedy, docudrama/historic, parody/spoof, period, satireKeyword: Shakespeare, Elizabethan theatre, comedy, dark comedyShakespeare is rejected by a ten-minute play festival in Liverpool and does not take it well.Noir Man by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 1··Cast:2Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 4 more·Keyword: film noir, spoof + 1 moreGenre: comedy, dark comedy, parody/spoof, period, romantic comedy, satireKeyword: film noir, spoof, Bogey & BacallA modern day Philip Marlowe tries to solve the biggest mystery of all -- the plot of "the Big Sleep."A or B? by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 1··Cast:2Genre: comedy, romantic comedy·Keyword: Sex, sexual politics + 2 moreGenre: comedy, romantic comedyKeyword: Sex, sexual politics, romantic comedy, man and womanIn corporate New York City, Abby Morgan interviews with Ben Steele for a
high-profile marketing job. Sparks fly between them, but will they pursue love or profession? Is it possible to do both? This romantic comedy carries two stories in one, turning romance on its head as we see Abby and Ben travel down two parallel lives, pitting destiny vs. choice, love vs. career, ambition vs. passion and man vs. woman.Avocado Toast by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 3··Cast:2Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 2 more·Keyword: millennial humor, food + 1 moreGenre: comedy, dark comedy, romantic comedy, satireKeyword: millennial humor, food, restaurantA young couple dine in the trendiest new hot spot in town – a restaurant where
every table has its own audience. Since Millennials feel they star in their own reality show, here
they actually do. It’s an interactive satire on trends, modern relationships, and avocado toast.The Fugitive by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 2··Cast:2Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 1 more·Keyword: mortality, vintage TV shows + 4 moreGenre: comedy, dark comedy, romantic comedyKeyword: mortality, vintage TV shows, marriage, Disney, Harrison Ford, Indiana JonesA 10-minute comedy. A middle-age married couple watch a vintage TV show and try to decide whether 60 is the new 40 or the new 80?Final Jeopardy by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 1··Cast:2Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 2 more·Keyword: TV, jeopardy + 1 moreGenre: comedy, dark comedy, drama, romantic comedyKeyword: TV, jeopardy, battle of willsIt’s a battle of wits between a longtime “Jeopardy” champion and the contestant
who finally toppled him. When he makes a shocking proposal both have tough “Final Jeopardy” decisions to make.Play it Again, Siri by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 1··Cast:2Genre: comedy, musical + 1 more·Keyword: romantic comedy, musicalGenre: comedy, musical, romantic comedyKeyword: romantic comedy, musicalTwo strangers dance and fall in love. Is that possible? After only one or two dances?The Reunion by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 1··Cast:2Genre: comedyGenre: comedyScott and Carl haven't seen each other in 50 years. By chance they happen to meet on the street. Scott returns the crayon he borrowed from Carl half a century ago.
Love at the Tropicana by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 1··Cast:2Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 4 more·Keyword: Gay and LGBTQ, gay + 2 moreGenre: comedy, dark comedy, drama, period, political, romantic comedyKeyword: Gay and LGBTQ, gay, 1960s, Las VegasWhen Doug, a gay man is drafted in 1965 knowing the dangers of either declaring himself or being exposed, he asks his best friend Barbara to marry him and take advantage of the marriage deferment. A sort of romantic comedy.
Digging Up Dad by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 1··Cast:3Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 3 more·Keyword: halloween, siblings + 3 moreGenre: comedy, dark comedy, fantasy, holiday, satireKeyword: halloween, siblings, fathers and sons, Facebook, deathTwo dimwitted brothers want to break into their father's grave because he was buried
in a rented tuxedo. Meanwhile, their father comes back from the dead to stop them.The Hook-Up by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 4··Cast:2Genre: comedy, romantic comedy·Keyword: Tinder, Sex & Millennials + 4 moreGenre: comedy, romantic comedyKeyword: Tinder, Sex & Millennials, webcamming, cats, hook-up culture, one night standA one night hook-up goes hilariously awry when the guy discovers the girl has a webcam, and she later learns an even bigger secret.Signing Off by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 1··Cast:2Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 1 more·Keyword: comedy, late night TV + 1 moreGenre: comedy, dark comedy, dramaKeyword: comedy, late night TV, dramedyA long time late night talk show host is pushed into retirement and must meet his young replacement. The meeting goes from bad to worse and then some.Lundy, Don't Be a Hero by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 2··Cast:2Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 3 more·Keyword: Politics, POTUS + 1 moreGenre: comedy, dark comedy, drama, political, satireKeyword: Politics, POTUS, dark comedyA new member of the Secret Service must decide his commitment.Surf's Up! by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 1··Cast:2Genre: adventure, comedy·Keyword: zoom, Fathers and Daughters + 4 moreGenre: adventure, comedyKeyword: zoom, Fathers and Daughters, summer, surfing, beach, the beach boysA father quits his job to have an endless summer surfing around the world and tries to convince his grown daughter to join him.She Died With Her Pumps On by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 1··Cast:4Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 1 more·Keyword: dark comedy, funeral + 3 moreGenre: comedy, dark comedy, satireKeyword: dark comedy, funeral, shoes, family, MourningA funeral service takes a crazy turn when the only thing the Minister can say about the dearly departed is that she always wore nice shoes.A Fractured Ferry Tale by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 3··Cast:2Genre: comedy, fantasy + 2 more·Keyword: New York, time travel + 7 moreGenre: comedy, fantasy, period, science fictionKeyword: New York, time travel, NFL, fathers and sons, Nickelback, Staten Island, Staten Island Ferry, History, 1930sKevin sits on a bench on the Staten Island Ferry and meets a mysterious passenger.
Much to Kevin’s surprise he’s transported back to 1930. Why? And can he return to the present?
What will he learn from the experience? And was there really an NFL team in Staten Island at one
time?The Can't Miss Girl by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 4··Cast:2Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 2 more·Keyword: Las Vegas, Britney Spears + 1 moreGenre: comedy, dark comedy, parody/spoof, satireKeyword: Las Vegas, Britney Spears, gamblingIn an all-night Vegas diner a Britney Spears impersonator and a waitress discuss
life, how to knock over the Bellagio and change their lives.Some Enchanted Evening by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 1··Cast:2Genre: comedy, romantic comedyGenre: comedy, romantic comedy10 minute comedy. A young couple make eye contact for the first time and it could change both of their
lives.Band of Goldman by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 1··Cast:4Genre: comedy, faith-based + 1 more·Keyword: Jewish, marriage + 1 moreGenre: comedy, faith-based, romantic comedyKeyword: Jewish, marriage, weddingKaren is excited to pick out wedding bands with her fiancée, Lenny. She is not excited when he brings his business partner, Richie.I've Got This by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 1··Cast:1Genre: comedy·Keyword: monologue, TV + 4 moreGenre: comedyKeyword: monologue, TV, NFL, football, high school, broadcastingRachel gets to do NFL play-by-play on network TV and everything that could go
wrong does. It's trial by fire (and Twitter).Make It Stop: A Christmas Play by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 4··Cast:2Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 1 more·Keyword: christmas, Beatles + 3 moreGenre: comedy, dark comedy, holidayKeyword: christmas, Beatles, Paul McCartney, psychiatrist, radioAndy goes to a psychiatrist because he’s had an earworm in his head for almost two
years. The song is “Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time” by Paul McCartney. Can he
be saved?Lovers Leap by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 1··Cast:2Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 1 more·Keyword: romantic comedy, honeymoon + 3 moreGenre: comedy, dark comedy, romantic comedyKeyword: romantic comedy, honeymoon, Sex, Las Vegas, gambling10 minute comedy. A young couple meet in Las Vegas and impulsively get married two hours later. This is their honeymoon night when they learn a lot of things about each other they should have known beforehand. Do they stay married?Waiting For Go by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 2··Cast:2Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 3 more·Keyword: romantic comedy, Sex + 6 moreGenre: comedy, dark comedy, political, romantic comedy, satireKeyword: romantic comedy, Sex, Las Vegas, prostitution, Viagra, POTUS, infidelity, Senator10 minute comedy. A senator in a Las Vegas hotel arranges for a hooker but forgets to take his Viagra so he must kill time with her for 20 minutes until it kicks in. Craziness and misunderstandings ensue.Thanks, Dude by Ken Levine
Recommendations: 3··Cast:2Genre: comedy, dark comedy·Keyword: friendship, hook-up culture + 4 moreGenre: comedy, dark comedyKeyword: friendship, hook-up culture, ex-girlfriend, millennials, Sex & Millennials, SexA friendship is tested when one friend sleeps with his best friend’s ex-girlfriend.