Hilarious Nightmares
by Daniel Guyton
“A collection of dark comedy one-acts by award winning playwright and screenwriter Daniel Guyton, including the critically acclaimed plays GEORGIE GETS A FACELIFT, BEDFORD’S STY, FATHER AND SON, ROMANCE IS DEAD, THE SINS OF REBETHANY CHASTAIN, MILO & BARBARA, I’M NOT GAY! and SPAT! These shows will terrify you, make you laugh, and might even make you cry – all at the same time. Experience murderous confessions, romances gone wrong, and dreadful deeds aplenty. Find out why critics have called these plays “Tar pit-dark comedy”, “Delightfully perverse” and “Morally repugnant.” These dark comedies are sure to delight, offend, and most of all entertain!”
Includes the following plays:
GEORGIE GETS A FACELIFT – 1M,2F. One-Act (15 min), A young man tries to kill himself in this dark, disturbing comedy, but an accidental murder puts things into perspective. Mature audiences only.
- Finalist in the Kennedy Center/ACTF Region IV 10-Minute Play Competition, 2003
- Finalist in the Time to Strike! Festival in Manhattan, NY, 2012
- Semi-Finalist in the Riant Theatre’s Strawberry One-Act Festival in Manhattan, NY, 2005
- Excerpt published in Best Men’s Stage Monologues 2014 by Smith & Kraus
- Excerpt published in Best Contemporary Monologues for Men 18-35 by Applause Theatre & Cinema Books
ROMANCE IS DEAD – 1M. Monologue (15 min). Dr. Edward Bainsbridge has been arrested for a terrible crime – interfering with a dead body. Four dead bodies, to be exact. Come hear his terrible confession, which will shock you, repulse you, and might even make you laugh… Mature audiences only.
- Semi-Finalist in the Spotlight On: One Person Play Competition, 2012
- Excerpt published in Best Men’s Stage Monologues 2014 by Smith & Kraus
I’M NOT GAY! – 2M. One Act (10 min). A gay man and a homophobe are trapped on an elevator together. Hijinks ensue. Mature audiences only.
- Winner of the Best Comedy Award from the Author’s Playhouse New Author Festival, 2005
MILO & BARBARA – 1M,1F. One-Act (15 min), Barbara’s life is turned upside-down when her husband suddenly vanishes without a warning. When he returns four weeks later, they each try to pick up the pieces.
- Finalist in the Kennedy Center/ACTF Region IV 10 Minute Play Competition, 2002
THE SINS OF REBETHANY CHASTAIN – 1F, One-Act (10 min). A sweet, Southern prison inmate shares her zany story about how she got arrested, in this one woman monologue.
- Excerpt published in Best Women’s Stage Monologues 2014 by Smith & Kraus
- Excerpt published in Best Contemporary Monologues for Women 18-35, Applause Theatre & Cinema Books
BEDFORD’S STY – 3M. One-Act (20 min), A grown man named Bedford refuses to clean up his room – even when a ghost tells him he has to!
- “By far the most entertaining night of theater I have seen at the Alley [Theater]… BEDFORD’S STY… brought the classic Vincent Price films to mind… It explores the hell we create for ourselves. This play has taken elements of comedy and thrown in moments of psychological thrills and created a piece that culminates not only the collection of plays within “Bits and Pieces” but also the entire Inhuman Festival occurring at the Alley Theater.” (Kate Barry, Arts-Louisville.com, 2013)
SPAT! – 2M,1F. One-Act (10 min), A man and wife have a horrible argument over the wife’s affair with an illegal immigrant. Mature audiences only.
- “Daniel Guyton’s SPAT! was the hit of the evening.” (Michael Erger, Playwrights Binge, 2013)
FATHER AND SON – 2M, various voices. One-Act (10 min), God becomes an atheist. Hijinks ensue.
- “FATHER AND SON was another a huge hit for my ENG 122 students! Thank you again for letting me use it. We read it yesterday, resulting in an inspired and delightful discussion.” (Jody Schardt, College of Lake County, 2013)
Review Hilarious Nightmares.