Philip Kaplan

Philip Kaplan

Philip J. Kaplan is the author of HOLLYWOOD MUSICALS: BEST, WORST AND MOST UNUSUAL. Full Lengths include, I THOUGHT I KNEW YOU (Stage Left Theatre, 2024), THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE, (The Vintage Theatre 2019), BUNNYBOY, (The Growing Stage, 2020), THE CUPCAKE CONSPIRACY (w/ C.J. Ehrlich), Rover DramaWerks (2015), Getchell Contest Finalist (2013), Mountain Playhouse International Comedy Playwriting Contest...
Philip J. Kaplan is the author of HOLLYWOOD MUSICALS: BEST, WORST AND MOST UNUSUAL. Full Lengths include, I THOUGHT I KNEW YOU (Stage Left Theatre, 2024), THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE, (The Vintage Theatre 2019), BUNNYBOY, (The Growing Stage, 2020), THE CUPCAKE CONSPIRACY (w/ C.J. Ehrlich), Rover DramaWerks (2015), Getchell Contest Finalist (2013), Mountain Playhouse International Comedy Playwriting Contest Finalist (2012), I, VERMIN: A HOLLYWOOD SUCCESS STORY, NY Fringe Festival (2002), and VIOLENT OVERTHROW OF THE GOVERNMENT (AND OTHER FAMILY MATTERS).

He has had plays published in Best Ten Minute Plays 2011, 2014 and 2018 (Smith and Kraus). His short plays have been produced at many theaters, including The Acme Theatre (MA), Wordsmyth Theatre (TX), Mildred's Umbrella (TX), Driftwood Players(WA), Spokane Stage Left (WA), 10 x 10 in the Triangle (NC), DC Cultural Source (DC), Old Library Theatre (NJ), Heartland Theatre (IL), Future Ten (PA) and American Globe theatre (NY).

Plays

  • I Thought I Knew You by Philip Kaplan
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: drama, fantasy + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: conspiracy theories, family + 4 more
    Genre: drama, fantasy, political
    Keyword: conspiracy theories, family, coping, Mass Murder, ghost, lizard people
    Jen returns home to comfort her devastated parents after her brother, Cody, deliberately explodes a van in Louisville, killing himself and five other people Jen encounters Cody’s ghost, or is it only a delusion? What happened to Cody? Who’s to blame and does it matter? How does a family move forward from tragedy?
  • Hospitalgate by Philip Kaplan
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: drama, political
    ·
    Keyword: Politics, scandal + 4 more
    Genre: drama, political
    Keyword: Politics, scandal, radicalism, social media, American government, prison
    Kelly Nolan is implicated in Hospitalgate, a political scandal, and is currently hiding from the press at her Aunt Maura’s house. As a way to get her side of the story out, they enlist Brad, a slow-witted reporter, who they feel they will be able to manipulate. However, Brad proves to be a surprisingly good researcher and uncovers damaging secrets about Maura. Who is innocent and guilty, and how can we tell?
  • Comfort Zone by Philip Kaplan
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: grief, gun violence + 3 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: grief, gun violence, mass shooting, widower, contemporary New York City
    Alan, a 73 year old widower, lives on his own in New York City and has been unable to get past his grief. His son, Craig, worried that Alan is foundering, goes behind Alan’s back to arrange for Lisa, a 21-year old college student from Colorado, to rent the spare bedroom. Alan reluctantly accepts Lisa as a roommate, and learns that she too has suffered an unbearable loss when her best friend died in a mass...
    Alan, a 73 year old widower, lives on his own in New York City and has been unable to get past his grief. His son, Craig, worried that Alan is foundering, goes behind Alan’s back to arrange for Lisa, a 21-year old college student from Colorado, to rent the spare bedroom. Alan reluctantly accepts Lisa as a roommate, and learns that she too has suffered an unbearable loss when her best friend died in a mass shooting. Together they help each other find their way and break out of their self-imposed comfort zone.
  • What are you Looking at? by Philip Kaplan
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: comedy, science fiction
    ·
    Keyword: pornography, virtual reality + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, science fiction
    Keyword: pornography, virtual reality, adult relationships, commerce
    Sienna is a star in the Virtual Pornography world, but who is Sienna in real life, and why is she so furious?
  • Waiting Room by Philip Kaplan
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, political
    ·
    Keyword: gun violence, Planned Parenthood + 2 more
    Genre: drama, political
    Keyword: gun violence, Planned Parenthood, code red, code red playwrights
    Lisa tries to take her mind off her Planned Parenthood appointment, and the protesters outside, while she and her best friend wait in the waiting room. (In honor of the Planned Parenthood clinic shooting, Colorado Springs, Colorado 11/27/2015. )
  • The President of Ohio by Philip Kaplan
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: climate change, post-apocalyptic + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, farce, political, satire, science fiction
    Keyword: climate change, post-apocalyptic, global warming, family, anti-Muslim prejudice, Dystopian
    Nothing is going to stop Brenda from throwing a great dinner for the President of Ohio. It’s difficult because life is difficult in post climate change Cincinnati in the year 2070. If the dinner goes well her husband, Mr. Deming, will be made a Judge, and the family gets to move to the climate controlled Bunkerplex, home of the Titans of Industry. If not, the family will stay in their world of famine, flooding...
    Nothing is going to stop Brenda from throwing a great dinner for the President of Ohio. It’s difficult because life is difficult in post climate change Cincinnati in the year 2070. If the dinner goes well her husband, Mr. Deming, will be made a Judge, and the family gets to move to the climate controlled Bunkerplex, home of the Titans of Industry. If not, the family will stay in their world of famine, flooding and disease. There are, however, a few problems. The cook just died, Brenda’s step-daughter is a drug addict who wants to die, Mr. Deming has a potentially fatal secret, the Girl Scouts want to assassinate the President and what can you make for dinner when you only have lima beans and cat food?
  • Bunnyboy by Philip Kaplan
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    6–8
    ·
    Genre: comedy, fantasy + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: superhero, comic books + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, fantasy, parody/spoof, science fiction, young audiences
    Keyword: superhero, comic books, supervillain, mad scientist
    Through a series of accidents, Peter, a sixth grader, develops superpowers and becomes Bunnyboy. Now what? Peter and his friends Skip and Karen, discover, it’s complicated being a superhero – there’s no manual. And when Bunnyboy has to face an actual super villain, the Animal Master, is he up for the task? And will he get his homework in on time?
  • A DIANE ARBUS CHRISTMAS by Philip Kaplan
    Recommendations: 6
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, holiday
    ·
    Keyword: art history, christmas + 3 more
    Genre: comedy, holiday
    Keyword: art history, christmas, holiday, Family Photos, photography
    Holiday photos from Diane Arbus
  • Last Words by Philip Kaplan
    Recommendations: 7
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: funeral, Alzheimer's Disease
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: funeral, Alzheimer's Disease
    A brother and sister politely fight at their father's funeral.
  • The Proposal: A Monologue by Philip Kaplan
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: cancer, doctor visit + 1 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: cancer, doctor visit, denial
    Jodi is trying to avoid some bad news
  • The Prepper: A Monologue by Philip Kaplan
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: survivalist, doomsday prepare
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: survivalist, doomsday prepare
    Gary has prepared for the worst, and he's gotten it.
  • The Maya Award: A Monologue by Philip Kaplan
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: monologue, bad relationships + 2 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: monologue, bad relationships, self-loathing, Alcohol
    Maya awards herself for her bad decisions.
  • Team Building: A Zoom Play by Philip Kaplan
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: business, zoom Meeting + 3 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, zoom
    Keyword: business, zoom Meeting, serial killer, computer technology, Team Building Exercise
    A Zoom meeting so bad you might not survive, as a team tries to get to know a new and disturbing member.
  • Dr. Hydra and the Eye by Philip Kaplan
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama
    ·
    Keyword: caregiving, Alzheimer's Disease + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, drama
    Keyword: caregiving, Alzheimer's Disease, comic books, adult child with aging parent, caregiver, dementia
    Marta has sacrificed her life to care for her ailing father, Herman. Enter Ken, an awkward comic book historian, searching for proof that Herman wrote Dr. Hydra and the Eye, a short-lived, but influential comic book. Ken has written a Dr. Hydra screenplay, but needs the rights in order to get it produced. Marta is willing to help but she knows nothing of this aspect of her father’s past, and Herman has...
    Marta has sacrificed her life to care for her ailing father, Herman. Enter Ken, an awkward comic book historian, searching for proof that Herman wrote Dr. Hydra and the Eye, a short-lived, but influential comic book. Ken has written a Dr. Hydra screenplay, but needs the rights in order to get it produced. Marta is willing to help but she knows nothing of this aspect of her father’s past, and Herman has advanced Alzheimer’s. However, there are boxes to explore and secrets to uncover.
  • The Best Day of Your Life by Philip Kaplan
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    ·
    Keyword: cancer, mother and daughter + 7 more
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    Keyword: cancer, mother and daughter, unrequited love, dating, divorce, college, aging, marriage, romance
    "Love takes time ... and timing."

    THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE is a bittersweet romantic comedy covering 40 years in six scenes. In college RON is smitten with WANDA who is his ideal girl, and he dreams of his upcoming date, which will not go well. But time and circumstances change the next time they meet seven years later. The play follows them through the years, as they struggle with...
    "Love takes time ... and timing."

    THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE is a bittersweet romantic comedy covering 40 years in six scenes. In college RON is smitten with WANDA who is his ideal girl, and he dreams of his upcoming date, which will not go well. But time and circumstances change the next time they meet seven years later. The play follows them through the years, as they struggle with success and failure, sickness and health, family issues and ultimately marriage. 
  • Good Guy with a Gun by Philip Kaplan
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    6
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: gun control, NRA + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, political, satire
    Keyword: gun control, NRA, mass shooting, gun violence
    A game show to decide who is a good guy with a gun, not a bad guy with a gun.
  • Almost There by Philip Kaplan
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: internet, dating + 3 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: internet, dating, telecommuting, teleconference, virtual
    From a hotel lobby Stuart virtually attends a Naming Party, a Funeral and a Bachelor Party. He's great on the Internet, but in person, not so much.
  • Fading by Philip Kaplan
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: Alzheimer's Disease, death in the family + 2 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: Alzheimer's Disease, death in the family, brothers, mother and son
    Todd confronts his feelings of anger, loss and resentment as he realizes that, thanks to Alzheimer's, his mother no longer remembers him. However, she can't stop talking about Todd's younger brother, Scott. Todd's mother is fading in front of his eyes, and there's nothing he can do about it.
  • The Cupcake Conspiracy by Philip Kaplan
    Cast: 
    6
    ·
    Genre: adventure, comedy + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: Farce, terrorism is easy marriage is complicated + 1 more
    Genre: adventure, comedy, farce, romantic comedy
    Keyword: Farce, terrorism is easy marriage is complicated, LORT
    (w C.J. Ehrlich)

    Terrorism is Easy. Marriage is Complicated!

    When nebishy, newly-separated Max decides to put his toes in the dating waters behind his soon-to-be ex's back, he finds himself up to his neck in a terrorist plot involving cupcakes. Really evil cupcakes. His date with the sultry Natasha could be the best or worst night of his life, if he can stay ahead of her evil...
    (w C.J. Ehrlich)

    Terrorism is Easy. Marriage is Complicated!

    When nebishy, newly-separated Max decides to put his toes in the dating waters behind his soon-to-be ex's back, he finds himself up to his neck in a terrorist plot involving cupcakes. Really evil cupcakes. His date with the sultry Natasha could be the best or worst night of his life, if he can stay ahead of her evil plot, and more important, keep his wife from finding out.

    An audience-pleasing romp, with the feel of a contemporary comedy, THE CUPCAKE CONSPIRACY also delves into the topical issues of how stress and selfishness can tear apart a marriage (or create a terrorist).

    “Clever, fun, funny” - Nancy Churnin, Dallas Morning News

    “WOW. If you don’t like to laugh, if you are offended by sharp wit... or if you have a problem with hilarity in general, you should not see this play.” - Chris Cortinas theatre blog, Plano TX

    “A clever, scrumptious diversion” - National Examiner.com
    "It's hard to resist the genius of playwrighting duo C.J. Ehrlich and Phillip J. Kaplan's premise that one could devise a volatile, yet scrumptious cupcake, as twisted and mindblowing as slipping LSD into a Yoohoo (thank you, Pauline Kael). Cupcake Conspiracy is not absurdist, but takes great mirth from appreciating the absurd. The ridiculous... On one level you could say Cupcake Conspiracy is a study of how we are so imprisoned by personal worldview, we are blinded to what we desperately need to see. Another interpretation (not necessarily a contradiction) is : No matter how imbecilic our mistakes, some higher intelligence trumps human folly."

    Read the review: www.examiner.com/review/rover-s-cupcake-conspiracy-a-clever-scrumptious-diversion

    "A farce with icing on top" - Sequim (WA) Gazette

    Cast of 6: 4 principals (2W, 2M) plus two actors (2W/M) tripling in six supporting roles. One of the four leads must have great facility with dialects and be able to change character on a dime. Extras may be added in most scenes, if desired.

    Running time: approx 90 min. Sets can be suggested or elaborate.

    Other accolades: Finalist - Charles Getchell Award
    Finalist - Mountain Playhouse International Comedy competition
  • Violent Overthrow of the Government (and other family matters) by Philip Kaplan
    Cast: 
    6
    ·
    Genre: comedy, farce + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: Politics
    Genre: comedy, farce, political
    Keyword: Politics
    Seth Gladding thinks his girlfriend Nikki Chipman’s finally invited him over to meet her parents. But when he arrives for what may turn into the worst evening of his life, Nikki admits that her mysterious family’s been under FBI surveillance ever since her father was shot while trying to hold the Lincoln Memorial hostage, and the case can’t be closed until the Chipmans trick the Feds into believing that her...
    Seth Gladding thinks his girlfriend Nikki Chipman’s finally invited him over to meet her parents. But when he arrives for what may turn into the worst evening of his life, Nikki admits that her mysterious family’s been under FBI surveillance ever since her father was shot while trying to hold the Lincoln Memorial hostage, and the case can’t be closed until the Chipmans trick the Feds into believing that her brother Vlad is a pussycat and not the anarchist he really is. It’s simple. All Seth must do to win Nikki’s undying love is to lie to the FBI, and be Vlad.

    But now Seth has to hide the fact that he’s the cop who accidentally shot the kook at the Lincoln Memorial!

    Can Seth keep his angry girlfriend happy? Will the real Vlad appear and ruin everything? After a year of watching Connie Chipman and her family, will FBI Agent Sullivan declare his love, or just throw Connie in jail? Will Connie snap out of her depression long enough to cook dinner? Is Connie’s friend Haven the man he says he is, and how many toes does he really have? Will Agent Sullivan learn what drives a person to political activism? And will anyone get to eat dinner in this zany political farce?
  • Losing Sandi by Philip Kaplan
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: Alzheimer’s, caregiver
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: Alzheimer’s, caregiver
    Sandi knows that something’s wrong. The front door lock has been changed. The calendar doesn’t make sense. Burglars are stealing her things. Her husband and daughter are conspiring against her. Why is everything different? Why is everything gone? Unbeknownst to Sandi, she has Alzheimer’s, and is gradually disappearing. Sandi is losing herself, but not without a struggle.