Uproar Theatrics - Make 'Em Laugh

Make 'Em Laugh

by Jason Odell Williams

Type of Show

Full-length Play

Performance Type

Live

Digital

Acts

1 act

Duration

75 min

Performing Groups

Professional Theatre

Community Theatre

College/University

High School/Secondary

Tech Requirements

Flexible

Cast Summary

7-35 performers, any age or gender

License it

Overview

Ah, the classic story of the budding writer who finds themselves trapped in an alternate sitcom multiverse. Tale as old as time.

What do you get when you mix an homage to Noises Off, Pleasantville, and classic episodes of Friends, Seinfeld, Will & Grace and The Golden Girls? You get MAKE ‘EM LAUGH! by Emmy nominee Jason Odell Williams. This fresh comedy explores what it means to find one's passion (all while figuring out how to escape being stuck inside the TV).

Time to brush up on your late night sitcoms, people.

Looking for the 30 minute cut? Here you go.

Plot

After declaring that college would be a waste of time and money, and that their one-time dream to be a comedy writer is an impractical pipe-dream, a high school student gets trapped in an alternate sitcom multiverse and can’t find their way out. After some frustrating and hilarious encounters with the casts of shows that look a LOT like Friends, Seinfeld, Will & Grace, The Golden Girls, Taxi, and The Honeymooners, and getting some sage advice from legendary producer and godfather of sitcoms Norman Lear, they discover their true passion: writing comedy.

Script Versions

Standard: the original masterpiece.
TV-G Rating: clean language and content.

Casting

7-35 performers, any age or gender

A NOTE ON CASTING:

The play can be cast with anywhere from 7-35 performers. How roles are doubled, tripled or even quadrupled is left to the creative team (for instance, Gran and Norman can be played by the same person, and it gives the play an extra layer of meaning). The ages, genders and races of the performers don't matter. They can all be high school students. Or college students. Or in their 40s. Or senior citizens. Or anything in between with any combination of all of the above. There even are opportunities for cameos and surprise casting. If the cast size is in the smaller range (which means there will need to be a lot of doubling and tripling of roles), don't worry about trying to fool the audience or make the character changes backstage. Character/costume changes can happen in full view of the audience and be done with a simple wig, prop, costume piece and the accent/attitude of the new character.

PRESENT DAY

GRAN (principal), KID (principal), PROMPT 1 (supporting), PROMPT 2 (supporting), PROMPT 3 (supporting), SHADOWY FIGURE / NORMAN LEAR (principal).

1990'S SITCOM ABOUT SIX FRIENDS LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY

JIMMY (principal), MELISSA (principal), FRANKIE (principal), RON (principal), REGAN (principal), CHARLIE (supporting).

1990'S SITCOM ABOUT A WOMAN WITH A GAY ROOMMATE IN NYC

CHASE (supporting), JACQUES (supporting), KATHLEEN (supporting).

1990'S SITCOM ABOUT A STAND UP COMEDIAN AND HIS FRIENDS IN NYC

KEVO (supporting), EILEEN (supporting), GREG (supporting).

1980'S SITCOM ABOUT FOUR OLDER WOMEN LIVING TOGETHER IN FLORIDA

BLAIR (supporting), RUTH (supporting), SYLVIA (supporting).

1950'S SITCOM ABOUT A BUS DRIVER, HIS WIFE AND THEIR NEIGHBORS IN NYC

REX (supporting), MORTON (supporting).

1970'S SITCOM ABOUT NEW YORK CITY TAXI CAB STAND

RUDY (supporting), ELLEN (supporting), TOMMY (supporting), BOBBY (supporting), JIM (supporting), GRABKA (supporting).

CATCHPHRASE MASH-UPS FROM CLASSIC SITCOMS

CATCHPHRASE 1 (one line), CATCHPHRASE 2 (one line), CATCHPHRASE 3 (one line), CATCHPHRASE 4 (one line), CATCHPHRASE 5 (one line), CATCHPHRASE 6 (one line).