The Problem with Problem Plays

Book By: Ken Preuss
Play #: 2364
Pages: 28 pgs
Cast: Widely flexible cast of 12

Two writers poke fun of the pitfalls and perils of producing problem plays while The Problem with Problem Plays Players act out the comical conundrums. They explore the challenges of censorship, the madness of metaphors, and the awkwardness of adults who tackle teen dialogue. All is well and witty until unexpected guests and unearthed secrets send things amusingly awry. Realizing they have become trapped in a problem play of their own, the cast and crew must scramble to escape. Will they perish in the predicament or persevere and produce a positive payoff? This show features a gender-flexible cast which can easily be increased or decreased as needed. Performed on a bare stage. Running time of 25-30 minutes.

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Productions

THE KNAVES IAMBIC 1 Performance(s)
FARGO, ND 10/19/2022
DALTON LOCAL SCHOOLS 2 Performance(s)
DALTON, OH 1/24/2022
DALTON HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
DALTON, OH 1/23/2017
AGAR-BLUNT-ONIDA SCHOOL DIST 2 Performance(s)
ONIDA, SD 1/19/2016
MADDOCK PUBLIC SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
MADDOCK, ND 11/1/2015
YUMA COMMUNITY THEATER 1 Performance(s)
YUMA, AZ 7/15/2015
WUNDERLICH INTERMEDIATE 1 Performance(s)
HOUSTON, TX 4/18/2015
SETON CATHOLIC PREPARATORY HIG 2 Performance(s)
CHANDLER, AZ 4/17/2015
CENTRAL RECEIVING - CCISD 2 Performance(s)
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 3/26/2015
REDVERS SCHOOL SR DRAMACLUB 2 Performance(s)
REDVERS, SK 3/24/2015
ST PAUL HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
SAINT PAUL, OR 3/10/2015
ANDREW JACKSON MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
KERSHAW, SC 2/15/2015
BELLMAR MIDDLE SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
BELLE VERNON, PA 2/15/2015
CENTRAL RECEIVING 2 Performance(s)
LARAMIE , WY 12/3/2014
VELVA DRAMA DEPARTMENT 1 Performance(s)
VELVA, ND 11/12/2014
SKYVIEW HIGH SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
NAMPA, ID 4/13/2014
THE GENEVA SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
WINTER PARK, FL 2/7/2014

Behind The Scenes

PLAYWRIGHT KEN PREUSS TALKS ABOUT HIS PLAY

THE PROBLEM FOR PROBLEM PLAYS

 

Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS PLAY?

A: I have been successful writing and directing comedies, but have steered clear of producing dramatic problem plays. This play began as foray into why I found them frightening and turned into a farce when I found their foibles and made them funny.

 

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART OR LINE IN THE PLAY? WHY?

A: I enjoy several short and silly scenes that can produce surprising laughs. I like the parental pathos of discovering poetry in a child’s purse, the craziness of coining catch phrases for the future, and the Players’ friendly but failed attempt to include a no-longer-living PJ in their impromptu dance number.

 

Q: WHERE DID THE CHARACTERS COME FROM? ARE THEY BASED ON PEOPLE YOU KNOW?

A: The characters bear no resemblance to anyone I know. I am a writer who has problems with problem plays, but I am nothing like Marty. I swear. I did not carry a blankie until I was seventeen. I was sixteen. And it was a teddy bear. Totally different. Ask my mom. She’ll tell you.

 

Q: WHAT DID YOU TRY TO ACHIEVE WITH THIS PLAY?

A: I wanted to give directors and actors a flexible and funny play that allowed them to poke fun at the serious plays they may tackle at other times. I also tried to achieve a brilliant script which would lead me into unparalleled heights of fame and fortune, but that, of course, was secondary.