Eric Lane

Eric Lane is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter and book editor. His plays have been performed and published worldwide. His short films have screened at venues around the globe, including at the British Film Institute. For ABC-TV’s "Ryan’s Hope," he received a Writer’s Guild Award. With Nina Shengold, Eric has co-edited 14 play anthologies for Penguin and Vintage Books, earning a Lambda Literary Award nomination. Honors include the La MaMa Playwright Award, plus fellowships at Yaddo and St. James Cavalier in Malta.

Eric has worked with such notable actors as Jennifer Aniston, Michael Urie, and Academy Award winner Melissa Leo. Premieres include 59E59, Adirondack Theatre Festival (commission), WHAT, Encore Musical Theatre, La MaMa ETC, the Wallis, HERE, Theatre Travels (Sydney)...

Eric Lane is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter and book editor. His plays have been performed and published worldwide. His short films have screened at venues around the globe, including at the British Film Institute. For ABC-TV’s "Ryan’s Hope," he received a Writer’s Guild Award. With Nina Shengold, Eric has co-edited 14 play anthologies for Penguin and Vintage Books, earning a Lambda Literary Award nomination. Honors include the La MaMa Playwright Award, plus fellowships at Yaddo and St. James Cavalier in Malta.

Eric has worked with such notable actors as Jennifer Aniston, Michael Urie, and Academy Award winner Melissa Leo. Premieres include 59E59, Adirondack Theatre Festival (commission), WHAT, Encore Musical Theatre, La MaMa ETC, the Wallis, HERE, Theatre Travels (Sydney), and Orange Thoughts Productions. His works have been performed at the William Inge Festival and the Valdez Theatre Conference. Eric's plays are published by Dramatists Play Service, Playscripts, Dramatic Publishing, Smith-Kraus, and in many “best” play collections. He is a Member Artist at Ensemble Studio Theatre and an honors graduate of Brown University. www.ericlanewrites.com

Scripts

Critters

by Eric Lane

Synopsis

A community of strong female animals navigates the joys and dangers of life in the woods. A collaboration with artist Bob Barnett.

A community of strong female animals navigates the joys and dangers of life in the woods. A collaboration with artist Bob Barnett.

A Thousand Faces: The Lon Chaney Musical

by Eric Lane

Synopsis

The incredible true story of Lon Chaney, the pioneering silent movie star, who changed the face of film. Visit the show's website: http://athousandfacesthemusical.com/

The incredible true story of Lon Chaney, the pioneering silent movie star, who changed the face of film. Visit the show's website: http://athousandfacesthemusical.com/

Ride

by Eric Lane

Synopsis

Eric Lane’s poignant and hilarious play RIDE takes three teenage girls on a life-changing road trip. While Carrie and Molly would never hang out together at high school, the two form a fragile bond during their job at a local farm stand. Molly convinces Carrie to join her on an unexpected road trip, which deepens their connection. Sam, Carrie’s eleven-year-old sister, joins them and creates the bridge the older...

Eric Lane’s poignant and hilarious play RIDE takes three teenage girls on a life-changing road trip. While Carrie and Molly would never hang out together at high school, the two form a fragile bond during their job at a local farm stand. Molly convinces Carrie to join her on an unexpected road trip, which deepens their connection. Sam, Carrie’s eleven-year-old sister, joins them and creates the bridge the older girls need to move forward. All three girls are keeping secrets, which unfold over the course of their adventure. Throughout the play, Carrie recalls the life of Anne Frank, the subject of a high-school composition. Carrie wonders if everybody isn’t living in hiding in their own secret annex. The girls’ true selves begin to emerge; their “ride” is both a physical and emotional one. The play been produced across the country and offers a terrific opportunity for three young actresses. Published by Dramatists Play Service.

Filming O'Keeffe

by Eric Lane

Synopsis

Max’s current assignment is to make a short film about artist Georgia O’Keeffe for his high school art class. He and his classmate Lily work together and grow closer. But when Max’s estranged grandfather shows up unexpectedly, his world is turned upside down. His strong-willed mom’s secrets about their family are threatened. All four characters must figure out what they believe, and ultimately, who they are...

Max’s current assignment is to make a short film about artist Georgia O’Keeffe for his high school art class. He and his classmate Lily work together and grow closer. But when Max’s estranged grandfather shows up unexpectedly, his world is turned upside down. His strong-willed mom’s secrets about their family are threatened. All four characters must figure out what they believe, and ultimately, who they are. FILMING O’KEEFFE takes place in the present on Lake George where the legendary artists O’Keeffe and Alfred Stieglitz once lived together. This funny, moving play examines the power of memory and perception, and how art can transform our lives. Published by Dramatists Play Service

Lady Liberty and the Donut Girl

by Eric Lane

Synopsis

Erin runs the donut station at the local supermarket. She meets Wes, who owes a ton of money and must pay it back fast. As the two grow closer, who's telling the truth? What is the truth, in this new comic drama about two teenage misfits seeking connection as they stumble into adulthood. Originally written as a popular 10-minute piece, it has been expanded and produced as a full-length play.

Erin runs the donut station at the local supermarket. She meets Wes, who owes a ton of money and must pay it back fast. As the two grow closer, who's telling the truth? What is the truth, in this new comic drama about two teenage misfits seeking connection as they stumble into adulthood. Originally written as a popular 10-minute piece, it has been expanded and produced as a full-length play.

Times of War

by Eric Lane

Synopsis

This award-winning play tells the story of one woman's struggles set against the backdrop of four wars—from World War II to the present. "Times of War" examines the changing American landscape over the past century. Written in four sections, it has been performed as one full-length evening, or as individual one-act plays. Printed by Dramatic Publishing.
"The Nearness of You:" Young Doris and her brassy friend...

This award-winning play tells the story of one woman's struggles set against the backdrop of four wars—from World War II to the present. "Times of War" examines the changing American landscape over the past century. Written in four sections, it has been performed as one full-length evening, or as individual one-act plays. Printed by Dramatic Publishing.
"The Nearness of You:" Young Doris and her brassy friend, Arlene, meet two soldiers heading off to World War II. Set in a dance hall, romance blooms as the characters share their fears and dreams for the future.
"How to Boil a Frog:" the older, wiser Doris secretly meets a young man at a county fair in July 1969 on the night of the first moonwalk.
"Early Morning:" Doris is accused of a shocking crime. A tense cat-and-mouse drama ensues at the police precinct as Detective Diamantini is driven to uncover the truth of what actually happened.
"Now Comes the Night:" Doris must face a life-threatening challenge. Refusing to be discarded, she comes full circle while cared for by her daughter and a young male nurse.

Dancing on Checkers' Grave

by Eric Lane

Synopsis

Lisa and Dina meet at the grave site of Richard Nixon's dog, Checkers, to work on a high school English composition. Though the two girls couldn't be more different, they find common ground in vocabulary words, nail polish, and donuts. But when Lisa convinces Dina to join her on an imaginary car ride through town, both girls reveal their fears and emotions in a way they never thought possible. Published by...

Lisa and Dina meet at the grave site of Richard Nixon's dog, Checkers, to work on a high school English composition. Though the two girls couldn't be more different, they find common ground in vocabulary words, nail polish, and donuts. But when Lisa convinces Dina to join her on an imaginary car ride through town, both girls reveal their fears and emotions in a way they never thought possible. Published by Playscripts.

Heart of the City

by Eric Lane

Synopsis

A valentine to the joys and challenges of contemporary life—from a woman on the ultimate date-from-hell; to a mismatched romance on the Brooklyn IRT; to a couple hoping to conceive a child; plus a lesson on the proper way to make a Matzo ball. This new play artfully combines humor, joy, sorrow, love and romance as it takes you on a dazzling ride of the heart. Published by Playscripts.

A valentine to the joys and challenges of contemporary life—from a woman on the ultimate date-from-hell; to a mismatched romance on the Brooklyn IRT; to a couple hoping to conceive a child; plus a lesson on the proper way to make a Matzo ball. This new play artfully combines humor, joy, sorrow, love and romance as it takes you on a dazzling ride of the heart. Published by Playscripts.

Ibis

by Eric Lane

Synopsis

Ty has been haunted by the disappearance of his father ever since Victor abandoned his family 20 years ago. But when he hires a no-nonsense female detective to solve the mystery and track Victor down, the answers she uncovers add up in ways that even Ty never could have predicted.

Ty has been haunted by the disappearance of his father ever since Victor abandoned his family 20 years ago. But when he hires a no-nonsense female detective to solve the mystery and track Victor down, the answers she uncovers add up in ways that even Ty never could have predicted.

Riverbed

by Eric Lane

Synopsis

A lyrical one-act drama about a married couple that experiences an intense loss, then struggles to find their way back to each other.

A lyrical one-act drama about a married couple that experiences an intense loss, then struggles to find their way back to each other.

The View from Here

by Eric Lane

Synopsis

Four stories told as monologues, converge in downtown Manhattan around 9/11.
Published in "The Best 10-Minute Plays 2021" edited by Debbie Lamedman (Smith & Kraus)

Four stories told as monologues, converge in downtown Manhattan around 9/11.
Published in "The Best 10-Minute Plays 2021" edited by Debbie Lamedman (Smith & Kraus)

Faith

by Eric Lane

Synopsis

A young man enters a confessional with a startling announcement, “I have killed someone.” A taut, unsettling confrontation with the Priest ensues. Published in "Best 10-Minute Plays 2022" (Smith-Kraus), "Take Ten II: More 10-Minute Plays" (Vintage Books), and "An Anthology of Contemporary American Plays" (in English & Chinese).

A young man enters a confessional with a startling announcement, “I have killed someone.” A taut, unsettling confrontation with the Priest ensues. Published in "Best 10-Minute Plays 2022" (Smith-Kraus), "Take Ten II: More 10-Minute Plays" (Vintage Books), and "An Anthology of Contemporary American Plays" (in English & Chinese).

A Bowl of Soup

by Eric Lane

Synopsis

An intimate and emotional drama set at the height of the AIDS epidemic that looks at the bond between brothers. Eddie visits his brother who can barely speak after the loss of his partner and tries to get him to talk again.
Published in "Take Ten: New 10-Minute Plays" (Vintage Books) and in "An Anthology of Contemporary American Plays" (in English & Chinese)

An intimate and emotional drama set at the height of the AIDS epidemic that looks at the bond between brothers. Eddie visits his brother who can barely speak after the loss of his partner and tries to get him to talk again.
Published in "Take Ten: New 10-Minute Plays" (Vintage Books) and in "An Anthology of Contemporary American Plays" (in English & Chinese)

Kaddish

by Eric Lane

Synopsis

Rob and his new boyfriend Earl must uncover the past so they can begin to move forward.

Rob and his new boyfriend Earl must uncover the past so they can begin to move forward.