Don't Talk to the Actors

Don't Talk to the Actors by Tom Dudzick

(17)
Productions (79)
Comedy
|
105 - 120 minutes
3 W, 3 M, 
Content Notes: Adult language
Set: A run-down bare bones rehearsal hall.

The best laid plans go awry when the cast and crew of a Broadway-bound play resort to manipulation, diva-like behavior, and chaotic abandon to get what they want. Fledgling playwright Jerry Przpezniak and his fiancee are a couple of Buffalo greenhorns suddenly swept up in the whirlwind of New York's theater scene when Jerry's play is optioned for the big money, ego-driven world of Broadway. It's a young playwright's dream, but the crazy characters and dilemmas they encounter are the things theatrical nightmares are made of.

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Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $85
Standard Edition $13.99
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
Archival Video License $150

*The per performance fee begins at $85. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.


Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

Media Gallery

Play Details

The best laid plans go awry when the cast and crew of a Broadway-bound play resort to manipulation, diva-like behavior, and chaotic abandon to get what they want. Fledgling playwright Jerry Przpezniak and his fiancee are a couple of Buffalo greenhorns suddenly swept up in the whirlwind of New York's theater scene when Jerry's play is optioned for the big money, ego-driven world of Broadway. It's a young playwright's dream, but the crazy characters and dilemmas they encounter are the things theatrical nightmares are made of.

An updated version of this play is available; contact Playscripts for details.

  • Comedy
  • |
  • 105 - 120 minutes
  • 3 W, 3 M, 
  • Content Notes: Adult language
  • Set: A run-down bare bones rehearsal hall.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-119-5

Published Reviews

"Drop-dead, scream-out-loud, tear-wrenchingly funny."

The Buffalo News

"Backstage comedies usually document the self-destruction of a show during a performance. Dudzick's play itself is so tightly constructed, fitting six well-developed characters together so precisely that it's hard to imagine this show falling apart. While Don't Talk to the Actors is well-stocked with funny lines and frantic moments, it's not the sort of comedy that lurches from joke to joke across the gaps where characters ought to be. The people on this stage are worth caring about, as written and as played."

James Reel, Tucson Weekly

"This thoroughly entertaining and hilarious play is good old fashioned story-telling."

David Barr, The Cypress Chronicle

"...tickles the funnybone while plucking the heart strings."

Tom Titus, Laguna Coastline Pilot

Production History

SEP 22, 2024 - SEP 22, 2024
Theatre Guild of Simsbury
Simsbury, CT United States
 Theatre Guild of Simsbury Simsbury, CT United States
MAY 02, 2024 - MAY 04, 2024
Lake Creek High School Theatre
Montgomery, TX United States
 Lake Creek High School Theatre Montgomery, TX United States
APR 05, 2024 - APR 07, 2024
LTU Society of Dramatic Arts
Southfield, MI United States
 LTU Society of Dramatic Arts Southfield, MI United States
MAR 31, 2023 - APR 16, 2023
Lend Me A Theater
Concord, NH United States
 Lend Me A Theater Concord, NH United States
NOV 17, 2022 - NOV 19, 2022
Parsippany High School
Parsippany, NJ United States
 Parsippany High School Parsippany, NJ United States
OCT 21, 2022 - OCT 30, 2022
Sun City Players Community Theater
Sun City, AZ United States
 Sun City Players Community Theater Sun City, AZ United States
JUN 22, 2022 - JUN 24, 2022
SEND Community Theater
Barney, ND United States
 SEND Community Theater Barney, ND United States
JUN 11, 2022 - JUN 18, 2022
Lend Me A Theater
Derry, NH United States
 Lend Me A Theater Derry, NH United States
MAR 18, 2022 - APR 03, 2022
Playmasters Theatre-Workshop
RICHBORO, PA United States
 Playmasters Theatre-Workshop RICHBORO, PA United States
NOV 19, 2021 - NOV 28, 2021
Paris Performers Theatre
Paris, ON, ON Canada
 Paris Performers Theatre Paris, ON, ON Canada
NOV 12, 2021 - NOV 21, 2021
Open Door Theatre
Bozeman, MT United States
 Open Door Theatre Bozeman, MT United States
OCT 01, 2021 - OCT 10, 2021
FIREHOUSE COMMUNITY THEATRE
Labelle, FL United States
 FIREHOUSE COMMUNITY THEATRE Labelle, FL United States
SEP 18, 2020 - SEP 27, 2020
Sparta Area Theatre & Arts Guild
Sparta, WI United States
 Sparta Area Theatre & Arts Guild Sparta, WI United States
AUG 22, 2020 - AUG 23, 2020
SATAG
Sparta, WI United States
 SATAG Sparta, WI United States
FEB 07, 2020 - FEB 23, 2020
New Century Players
Milwaukie, OR United States
 New Century Players Milwaukie, OR United States
JAN 17, 2020 - JAN 25, 2020
Caroline Community Theatre
Ruther Glen, VA United States
 Caroline Community Theatre Ruther Glen, VA United States
NOV 16, 2019 - NOV 16, 2019
Wright State Student D-Lab
Dayton, OH United States
 Wright State Student D-Lab Dayton, OH United States
SEP 15, 2019 - SEP 22, 2019
Le Petit Thjeatre de Terrebonne
Houma, LA United States
 Le Petit Thjeatre de Terrebonne Houma, LA United States
JUL 05, 2019 - JUL 21, 2019
The Studio Players, Inc.
Naples, FL United States
 The Studio Players, Inc. Naples, FL United States
MAY 17, 2019 - MAY 19, 2019
Madison Community Players, Inc.
Madison, IN United States
 Madison Community Players, Inc. Madison, IN United States
MAY 03, 2019 - MAY 19, 2019
Rochester Repertory Theatre
Rochester, MN United States
 Rochester Repertory Theatre Rochester, MN United States
NOV 30, 2018 - DEC 08, 2018
Players De Noc, Inc.
Escanaba, MI United States
 Players De Noc, Inc. Escanaba, MI United States
NOV 14, 2018 - NOV 18, 2018
St Charles Community College
Cottleville, MO United States
 St Charles Community College Cottleville, MO United States
APR 27, 2018 - APR 29, 2018
Alamance Repertory Theater Company
Winston-Salem, NC United States
 Alamance Repertory Theater Company Winston-Salem, NC United States
APR 13, 2018 - APR 14, 2018
Herkimer College
Herkimer, NY United States
 Herkimer College Herkimer, NY United States
NOV 10, 2017 - NOV 19, 2017
Actors Community Theatre Of Davie
Davie, FL United States
 Actors Community Theatre Of Davie Davie, FL United States
OCT 22, 2017 - OCT 24, 2017
Carol Players
Labrador City, NF Canada
 Carol Players Labrador City, NF Canada
OCT 20, 2017 - OCT 21, 2017
Purdue Performance Collaborative
West Lafayette, IN United States
 Purdue Performance Collaborative West Lafayette, IN United States
SEP 08, 2017 - SEP 23, 2017
The Albright Theatre Company
Batavia, IL United States
 The Albright Theatre Company Batavia, IL United States
APR 21, 2017 - MAY 20, 2017
Harlequin Dinner Theatre
JBSA-Ft. Sam Houston, TX United States
 Harlequin Dinner Theatre JBSA-Ft. Sam Houston, TX United States
APR 21, 2017 - APR 29, 2017
Village Players Of Fort Thomas
Fort Thomas, KY United States
 Village Players Of Fort Thomas Fort Thomas, KY United States
APR 02, 2017 - APR 02, 2017
Schenectady Civic Players
Schenectady, NY United States
 Schenectady Civic Players Schenectady, NY United States
MAR 23, 2017 - MAR 25, 2017
Highlands High School
North Highlands, CA United States
 Highlands High School North Highlands, CA United States
MAR 09, 2017 - MAR 19, 2017
Nassau Community College Department Of Theatre And Dance
Garden City, NY United States
 Nassau Community College Department Of Theatre And Dance Garden City, NY United States
MAR 05, 2017 - MAR 19, 2017
Plymouth Community Theatre
Plymouth, MA United States
 Plymouth Community Theatre Plymouth, MA United States
DEC 09, 2016 - DEC 11, 2016
College Avenue Players
New Brunswick, NJ United States
 College Avenue Players New Brunswick, NJ United States
DEC 01, 2016 - DEC 11, 2016
Alton Little Theater, Inc.
Alton, IL United States
 Alton Little Theater, Inc. Alton, IL United States
NOV 18, 2016 - NOV 27, 2016
Gympie Theatre Association (ORiGiN Theatrical)
Gympie, QLD Australia
 Gympie Theatre Association (ORiGiN Theatrical) Gympie, QLD Australia
NOV 11, 2016 - NOV 20, 2016
Sutherland Theatre Co Inc. (ORiGiN Theatrical)
Sutherland, NSW Australia
 Sutherland Theatre Co Inc. (ORiGiN Theatrical) Sutherland, NSW Australia
SEP 09, 2016 - OCT 02, 2016
The Kavinoky Theater
Buffalo, NY United States
 The Kavinoky Theater Buffalo, NY United States
JUN 24, 2016 - JUL 03, 2016
The Theater Barn
New Lebanon, NY United States
 The Theater Barn New Lebanon, NY United States
JUN 16, 2016 - JUL 16, 2016
Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, TX United States
 Circle Theatre Fort Worth, TX United States
JUN 03, 2016 - JUN 11, 2016
Out of the Box Community Theatre
Columbus, OH United States
 Out of the Box Community Theatre Columbus, OH United States
APR 08, 2016 - APR 09, 2016
St. Francis College
Brooklyn, NY United States
 St. Francis College Brooklyn, NY United States
DEC 04, 2015 - DEC 12, 2015
Chelsea Players
Norwich, CT United States
 Chelsea Players Norwich, CT United States
NOV 06, 2015 - NOV 15, 2015
Elora Community Theatre
Fergus, ON Canada
 Elora Community Theatre Fergus, ON Canada
MAR 27, 2015 - MAR 29, 2015
Cast N' Crew Student Theater
St. Louis, MO United States
 Cast N' Crew Student Theater St. Louis, MO United States
JAN 09, 2015 - FEB 07, 2015
Theatre Suburbia
Houston, TX United States
 Theatre Suburbia Houston, TX United States
DEC 05, 2014 - DEC 21, 2014
Shaker Bridge Theatre
Enfield, NH United States
 Shaker Bridge Theatre Enfield, NH United States
NOV 27, 2014 - NOV 29, 2014
Texas City Administration Building
Texas City, TX United States
 Texas City Administration Building Texas City, TX United States
OCT 09, 2014 - OCT 12, 2014
Dunedin Showcase Theater
Dunedin, FL United States
 Dunedin Showcase Theater Dunedin, FL United States
SEP 19, 2014 - OCT 11, 2014
Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theatre And Events Center
Excelsior Springs, MO United States
 Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theatre And Events Center Excelsior Springs, MO United States
SEP 03, 2014 - SEP 21, 2014
Lemon Bay Playhouse
Englewood, FL United States
 Lemon Bay Playhouse Englewood, FL United States
APR 26, 2014 - MAY 10, 2014
Picton Theatre Group
Bargo, NSW Australia
 Picton Theatre Group Bargo, NSW Australia
MAR 14, 2014 - MAR 23, 2014
Ilion Little Theatre
Ilion, NY United States
 Ilion Little Theatre Ilion, NY United States
FEB 14, 2014 - FEB 22, 2014
Cultural Resources, Inc.
DuBois, PA United States
 Cultural Resources, Inc. DuBois, PA United States
NOV 15, 2013 - NOV 18, 2013
Astronaut Drama Club
Titusville, FL United States
 Astronaut Drama Club Titusville, FL United States
SEP 29, 2013 - SEP 29, 2013
Dover Little Theatre
Dover, NJ United States
 Dover Little Theatre Dover, NJ United States
SEP 14, 2013 - SEP 28, 2013
Dover Little Theatre
Dover, NJ United States
 Dover Little Theatre Dover, NJ United States
APR 11, 2013 - APR 28, 2013
Blue Ridge Community Theater
Blue Ridge, GA United States
 Blue Ridge Community Theater Blue Ridge, GA United States
MAR 15, 2013 - MAR 23, 2013
The Drama Group
Philadelphia, PA United States
 The Drama Group Philadelphia, PA United States
NOV 09, 2012 - NOV 24, 2012
The Central New York Playhouse
Syracuse, NY United States
 The Central New York Playhouse Syracuse, NY United States
AUG 03, 2012 - AUG 26, 2012
Penguin Rep Theatre
Stony Point, NY United States
 Penguin Rep Theatre Stony Point, NY United States
JUN 01, 2012 - JUN 09, 2012
BlackBox Theatre
Casa Grande, AZ United States
 BlackBox Theatre Casa Grande, AZ United States
APR 12, 2012 - APR 21, 2012
Scot Community College
BETTENDORF, IA United States
 Scot Community College BETTENDORF, IA United States
APR 04, 2012 - APR 29, 2012
Montgomery Theater
Souderton, PA United States
 Montgomery Theater Souderton, PA United States
NOV 17, 2011 - NOV 19, 2011
Park Players Of Greenfield Park
Greenfield Park, QC Canada
 Park Players Of Greenfield Park Greenfield Park, QC Canada
OCT 06, 2011 - OCT 09, 2011
Great Bend Community Theatre
Great Bend, KS United States
 Great Bend Community Theatre Great Bend, KS United States
JUN 02, 2011 - JUN 12, 2011
Richmond Hill Players, Inc.
Geneseo, IL United States
 Richmond Hill Players, Inc. Geneseo, IL United States
APR 16, 2011 - APR 16, 2011
Frost Dinner Theatre
Frost, MN United States
 Frost Dinner Theatre Frost, MN United States
FEB 11, 2011 - FEB 27, 2011
Belfry Theatre
Noblesville, IN United States
 Belfry Theatre Noblesville, IN United States
FEB 10, 2011 - FEB 19, 2011
Little Theatre Of Watertown
Watertown, NY United States
 Little Theatre Of Watertown Watertown, NY United States
NOV 19, 2010 - NOV 21, 2010
Assumption College
Worcester, MA United States
 Assumption College Worcester, MA United States
NOV 05, 2010 - NOV 14, 2010
Reunion Theatre Group
Everett, WA United States
 Reunion Theatre Group Everett, WA United States
MAY 21, 2010 - MAY 23, 2010
Fair Haven Union High School
Fair Haven, VT United States
 Fair Haven Union High School Fair Haven, VT United States
JUN 01, 2009 - JUL 31, 2009
Otterbein College
Westerville, OH United States
 Otterbein College Westerville, OH United States
MAY 01, 2009 - JUN 30, 2009
The Invisible Theatre Company
Tucson, AZ United States
 The Invisible Theatre Company Tucson, AZ United States
SEP 01, 2008 - OCT 31, 2008
Laguna Playhouse
Laguna Beach, CA United States
 Laguna Playhouse Laguna Beach, CA United States
SEP 01, 2007 - OCT 31, 2007
Studio Arena Theatre
Buffalo, NY United States
 Studio Arena Theatre Buffalo, NY United States
No upcoming productions.
SEP 09, 2016 - OCT 02, 2016
The Kavinoky Theater
Buffalo, NY United States
 The Kavinoky Theater Buffalo, NY United States
JUN 24, 2016 - JUL 03, 2016
The Theater Barn
New Lebanon, NY United States
 The Theater Barn New Lebanon, NY United States
JUN 16, 2016 - JUL 16, 2016
Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, TX United States
 Circle Theatre Fort Worth, TX United States
DEC 05, 2014 - DEC 21, 2014
Shaker Bridge Theatre
Enfield, NH United States
 Shaker Bridge Theatre Enfield, NH United States
AUG 03, 2012 - AUG 26, 2012
Penguin Rep Theatre
Stony Point, NY United States
 Penguin Rep Theatre Stony Point, NY United States
APR 04, 2012 - APR 29, 2012
Montgomery Theater
Souderton, PA United States
 Montgomery Theater Souderton, PA United States
MAY 01, 2009 - JUN 30, 2009
The Invisible Theatre Company
Tucson, AZ United States
 The Invisible Theatre Company Tucson, AZ United States
SEP 01, 2008 - OCT 31, 2008
Laguna Playhouse
Laguna Beach, CA United States
 Laguna Playhouse Laguna Beach, CA United States
SEP 01, 2007 - OCT 31, 2007
Studio Arena Theatre
Buffalo, NY United States
 Studio Arena Theatre Buffalo, NY United States

Awards (1)

Katherine Cornell Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Visiting Artist, 18th Annual Artvoice Awards in Buffalo

Archival Video License

Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License to add to your order for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

This allows you to record one of your live performances for your internal archives only. This cannot be streamed.

For more information, please reach out to [email protected]

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