David Lipschutz

David Lipschutz (he/him) is a Chicago-based artist, an associate member of the Dramatists Guild, and a company member of Hell in a Handbag Productions. His plays have been performed throughout the United States, Canada, England and Australia. 

With Handbag, he wrote the Jeff Recommended THE GOLDEN GIRLS: THE LOST EPISODES, VOL. 3 (co-written with Artistic Director David Cerda) and had a reading of FRIGAY THE 13TH! THE MUSICAL.  His other full length, GUILT TRIPS & MISHEGAS: AN EVENING OF JEWISH HOLI-PLAYS, was first performed as part of Playwrights Thriving Reading Series.

Notable one-acts and ten-minute plays include G'OY VEY! with Spoonie Theatre [TANYS Award Recipient-Excellence in Playwriting]; THE SHOMER with the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture [Judges Choice-Best Play]; THE ALL...

David Lipschutz (he/him) is a Chicago-based artist, an associate member of the Dramatists Guild, and a company member of Hell in a Handbag Productions. His plays have been performed throughout the United States, Canada, England and Australia. 

With Handbag, he wrote the Jeff Recommended THE GOLDEN GIRLS: THE LOST EPISODES, VOL. 3 (co-written with Artistic Director David Cerda) and had a reading of FRIGAY THE 13TH! THE MUSICAL.  His other full length, GUILT TRIPS & MISHEGAS: AN EVENING OF JEWISH HOLI-PLAYS, was first performed as part of Playwrights Thriving Reading Series.

Notable one-acts and ten-minute plays include G'OY VEY! with Spoonie Theatre [TANYS Award Recipient-Excellence in Playwriting]; THE SHOMER with the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture [Judges Choice-Best Play]; THE ALL-NEW DATING GAME! VIDEO GAME EDITION with StageWorks [NJACT Perry Award Nominee-Outstanding Production of an Original Play]; MODUS OPERANDI with Kankakee Valley Theatre Association [Runner Up-Best Staged Play]; PERFORMANCE ANXIETY and PERSEVERANCE with Left Edge Theatre; HYDRATION with Theatre West; PETE & PETRIA'S PETRIFYING PODCAST (co-written with Dana Hall) with Gather By The Ghostlight; and AHAVAH (co-written with Dana Hall), which has been performed with over a dozen theatres around the world.

Several of his plays have been published, including MODUS OPERANDI (Heuer Publishing), THE SHOMER (Best Men's Monologues 2023/Smith & Kraus), AHAVAH (Best Ten-Minute Plays 2023/Smith & Kraus), and HYDRATION (Best Ten-Minute Plays 2022/Smith & Kraus), and his play, GUILT TRIPS & MISHEGAS: AN EVENING OF JEWISH HOLI-PLAYS, is scheduled for publication with Next Stage Press in February of 2025.

Scripts

Ahavah

by David Lipschutz and Dana Hall

Synopsis

After his Bubbie’s death, Saul returns home to his family after a long absence to sit Shiva. Alice, Saul’s girlfriend joins him. Saul tries to portray the perfect version of what he thinks his family wants. However, a message from the beyond leads both Saul and Alice to some meaningful realizations.

|10-minute play|

After his Bubbie’s death, Saul returns home to his family after a long absence to sit Shiva. Alice, Saul’s girlfriend joins him. Saul tries to portray the perfect version of what he thinks his family wants. However, a message from the beyond leads both Saul and Alice to some meaningful realizations.

|10-minute play|

The All-New Dating Game! Video Game Edition

by David Lipschutz

Synopsis

It's everyone's favorite 1980's game show, "The All-New Dating Game!", but with a twist. On this particular episode, three familiar video game characters vie for the heart of one very special princess. Who will win? Tune in and find out!

|10-minute play|

It's everyone's favorite 1980's game show, "The All-New Dating Game!", but with a twist. On this particular episode, three familiar video game characters vie for the heart of one very special princess. Who will win? Tune in and find out!

|10-minute play|

The Berenstain Bearadox

by David Lipschutz

Synopsis

A father has an existential crisis after reading his child a bedtime story.

|2-minute monologue|

NOTE: Zoom/virtual and 1-minute adaptations are also available upon request.

A father has an existential crisis after reading his child a bedtime story.

|2-minute monologue|

NOTE: Zoom/virtual and 1-minute adaptations are also available upon request.

Birthright

by David Lipschutz

Synopsis

As her daughter's Bat Mitzvah date draws near, a mother finds herself in a struggle against a vampire of Jewish folklore.

|10-minute radio play|

As her daughter's Bat Mitzvah date draws near, a mother finds herself in a struggle against a vampire of Jewish folklore.

|10-minute radio play|

The [C]Han[n]uk[k]a[h] Play

by David Lipschutz

Synopsis

When Rae brings their new partner home to meet the family for the first time during the Jewish holiday of Channukkah (also spelled Hanukkah, Hannuka, etc.), things don’t go exactly as planned.

|10-minute play|

When Rae brings their new partner home to meet the family for the first time during the Jewish holiday of Channukkah (also spelled Hanukkah, Hannuka, etc.), things don’t go exactly as planned.

|10-minute play|

The Courtship of Max and Midge

by David Lipschutz

Synopsis

[FKA Two Pigeons Talk About Sh*tting On People And Then They Sh*t On People, A Love Story]

A love story of two pigeons as they meet on the rooftop of a high-rise building on a beautiful sunny day.

|5-minute play| / |5-minute virtual play|

[FKA Two Pigeons Talk About Sh*tting On People And Then They Sh*t On People, A Love Story]

A love story of two pigeons as they meet on the rooftop of a high-rise building on a beautiful sunny day.

|5-minute play| / |5-minute virtual play|

A Date With Dagon

by David Lipschutz and Dana Hall

Synopsis

Immortal fish-god Dagon emerges from the deepest, darkest depths of the Pacific Ocean for holiday (a/k/a humanity’s destruction). However, before celebrating the holiday (a/k/a destroying humanity), Dagon decides to go on a date for the first time in over 10,000 years.

|10-minute play|

Immortal fish-god Dagon emerges from the deepest, darkest depths of the Pacific Ocean for holiday (a/k/a humanity’s destruction). However, before celebrating the holiday (a/k/a destroying humanity), Dagon decides to go on a date for the first time in over 10,000 years.

|10-minute play|

The Eighth Swing

by David Lipschutz

Synopsis

An actor has called out last minute. It is up to a random audience member to save the day...hopefully...

|5-minute play|

NOTE: Script available upon request.

An actor has called out last minute. It is up to a random audience member to save the day...hopefully...

|5-minute play|

NOTE: Script available upon request.

G'Oy Vey!

by David Lipschutz

Synopsis

A virtual first date between Ezra, who is Jewish, and Taylor, who is not, goes awry when Ezra’s entire family shows up.

|one-act virtual play|

A virtual first date between Ezra, who is Jewish, and Taylor, who is not, goes awry when Ezra’s entire family shows up.

|one-act virtual play|

George Santos is a Farshtunkener!

by David Lipschutz

Synopsis

A person gives their honest opinion of George Santos.

|1-minute monologue|

A person gives their honest opinion of George Santos.

|1-minute monologue|

The Good Dybbuk

by David Lipschutz

Synopsis

When a young man goes to clean out his grandparents’ attic, he discovers more than he expected.

|10-minute play|

When a young man goes to clean out his grandparents’ attic, he discovers more than he expected.

|10-minute play|

The Greatest Jewish Summer Camp Game Ever Played

by David Lipschutz

Synopsis

This is the true-ish Jewish story of Artie, an 8th grader, and his summer in the year 2000 at Camp Ramah (a summer camp in Wisconsin). Will he become champion of the annual tennis competition? Will he defeat the bully and win the heart of the girl of his dreams? Will it truly be the greatest Jewish summer camp game ever played?

|5-minute play|

This is the true-ish Jewish story of Artie, an 8th grader, and his summer in the year 2000 at Camp Ramah (a summer camp in Wisconsin). Will he become champion of the annual tennis competition? Will he defeat the bully and win the heart of the girl of his dreams? Will it truly be the greatest Jewish summer camp game ever played?

|5-minute play|

Guilt Trips & Mishegas: An Evening of Jewish Holi-Plays

by David Lipschutz

Synopsis

A rabbi and several congregants present an evening of plays about Jewish Holidays.

|Full-length play cycle|

A rabbi and several congregants present an evening of plays about Jewish Holidays.

|Full-length play cycle|

Heya Abe!

by David Lipschutz and Dana Hall

Synopsis

A couple’s movie night on the couch is interrupted by an unexpected email.

|1-minute play|

A couple’s movie night on the couch is interrupted by an unexpected email.

|1-minute play|

hYdration

by David Lipschutz

Synopsis

Two women have a chance encounter outside of a drag bar.

|10-minute play|

NOTE: Script available upon request.

Two women have a chance encounter outside of a drag bar.

|10-minute play|

NOTE: Script available upon request.

Matzah Ball Soup

by David Lipschutz and Dana Hall

Synopsis

Inspired by the short play, AHAVAH. After his Bubbie's death, Saul returns home to his family after a long absence to sit Shiva. Alice, Saul’s girlfriend, joins him. While Saul is already in the room where services are being held, Alice is outside, contemplating whether or not to enter.

|5-minute monologue|

Inspired by the short play, AHAVAH. After his Bubbie's death, Saul returns home to his family after a long absence to sit Shiva. Alice, Saul’s girlfriend, joins him. While Saul is already in the room where services are being held, Alice is outside, contemplating whether or not to enter.

|5-minute monologue|

Mayor Bob is DEAD!

by David Lipschutz

Synopsis

Mayor Bob is dead! What happened? Find out…in the next ten minutes. This play was written based on the prompt of "Mayor Bob of Smalltown, IL" from Westchester Civic Theatre.

|10-minute play|

Mayor Bob is dead! What happened? Find out…in the next ten minutes. This play was written based on the prompt of "Mayor Bob of Smalltown, IL" from Westchester Civic Theatre.

|10-minute play|

Modus Operandi

by David Lipschutz

Synopsis

Things aren't as they seem as two detectives interrogate a suspect.

ALL RIGHTS INQUIRIES MUST GO THROUGH Heuer Publishing: https://www.hitplays.com/default.aspx?pg=sd&st=MODUS+OPERANDI&p=40225

|10-minute play|

Things aren't as they seem as two detectives interrogate a suspect.

ALL RIGHTS INQUIRIES MUST GO THROUGH Heuer Publishing: https://www.hitplays.com/default.aspx?pg=sd&st=MODUS+OPERANDI&p=40225

|10-minute play|

Moon Logic

by David Lipschutz

Synopsis

Akin to point-and-click adventure games of the late 80s/early 90s (think, the Kings Quest series), MOON LOGIC follows Sir Llewellyn as he comes to the final chapter of his quest to save Princess Nightingale and help restore the Kingdom of Lavendreer.

|10-minute play|

Akin to point-and-click adventure games of the late 80s/early 90s (think, the Kings Quest series), MOON LOGIC follows Sir Llewellyn as he comes to the final chapter of his quest to save Princess Nightingale and help restore the Kingdom of Lavendreer.

|10-minute play|

Performance Anxiety [Or, On Being Late To A Virtual Work Call]

by David Lipschutz

Synopsis

A man thinks he is going into a work Zoom call like any other day, but this time, Zoom seems to have a mind of its own.

|one-act play|

A man thinks he is going into a work Zoom call like any other day, but this time, Zoom seems to have a mind of its own.

|one-act play|

PerSEVERance

by David Lipschutz

Synopsis

A live online workout class is interrupted by mysterious and potentially sinister events.

|10-minute virtual play|

A live online workout class is interrupted by mysterious and potentially sinister events.

|10-minute virtual play|

Pete & Petria's Petrifying Podcast

by David Lipschutz and Dana Hall

Synopsis

Who doesn’t love true crime stories filled with paranormal activities and ghastly hauntings? Tune in each week to “Pete & Petria’s Petrifying Podcast” to hear tales of strange and terrifying events.

|one-act radio play|

Who doesn’t love true crime stories filled with paranormal activities and ghastly hauntings? Tune in each week to “Pete & Petria’s Petrifying Podcast” to hear tales of strange and terrifying events.

|one-act radio play|

The Pi(e) Guy

by David Lipschutz

Synopsis

When Mathematics Professor Archie Medes returns home to help his ailing mother run the family pie shop, he gets more than he bargained for as his mathematical prowess thrusts him into the world of crime solving. THE PI(E) GUY is presented as a television pilot (a la Murder, She Wrote), but it is written to be performed on the stage.

|one-act play|

When Mathematics Professor Archie Medes returns home to help his ailing mother run the family pie shop, he gets more than he bargained for as his mathematical prowess thrusts him into the world of crime solving. THE PI(E) GUY is presented as a television pilot (a la Murder, She Wrote), but it is written to be performed on the stage.

|one-act play|

Press Start to Begin

by David Lipschutz

Synopsis

An adult child who lives in his parents’ basement and plays video games all day goes an unexpected adventure.

|one-act play|

An adult child who lives in his parents’ basement and plays video games all day goes an unexpected adventure.

|one-act play|

The Shomer

by David Lipschutz

Synopsis

A shomer watches over the body of a recently deceased Jewish man.

|10-minute play|

A shomer watches over the body of a recently deceased Jewish man.

|10-minute play|

Solid Gold

by David Lipschutz

Synopsis

When hanging out, two best buds make an unexpected discovery.

|10-minute play|

NOTE: Script available upon request.

When hanging out, two best buds make an unexpected discovery.

|10-minute play|

NOTE: Script available upon request.

Tripping on Xanax at a Mumford & Sons Concert

by David Lipschutz

Synopsis

Two friends are sitting in BYO lawn chairs at a concert venue, waiting for Mumford & Sons to begin their set. After one of them leaves to find the bathroom, leaving the other alone, an unexpected guest takes the empty seat.

|10-minute play|

NOTE: Script available upon request.

Two friends are sitting in BYO lawn chairs at a concert venue, waiting for Mumford & Sons to begin their set. After one of them leaves to find the bathroom, leaving the other alone, an unexpected guest takes the empty seat.

|10-minute play|

NOTE: Script available upon request.

Winifred and Henry Celebrate Their Fifth Wedding Anniversary

by David Lipschutz

Synopsis

As a couple celebrates their fifth wedding anniversary, the evening takes an unexpected turn.

|10-minute play|

As a couple celebrates their fifth wedding anniversary, the evening takes an unexpected turn.

|10-minute play|

Your Purim Costume Is Out Of This World

by David Lipschutz

Synopsis

A young congregant shows off their new costume to the Rabbi before the Purim holiday service.

|1-minute play|

A young congregant shows off their new costume to the Rabbi before the Purim holiday service.

|1-minute play|