A Comedy with Bad Taste by Joshua William Gelb
"This play isn't tragic! You kill off the hero and everyone lives happily ever after. That is not a tragedy! That is a comedy with bad taste!"
Plot Summary:
When prominent publisher Richard Scannalan attends the opening night of a tawdry new sex-farce, he witnesses a scenario unnervingly similar to his own experience; in fact, every character, every name, and every embarrassment is right out of his own living room. With his history of business fraud and adultery exposed, Richard is forced to salvage his marriage and his dignity by confronting the author of his predicament. But when Richard Scannalan meets playwright Regis Scripple, the very nature of individuality and free will are put into question.
A farcical homage to the great absurdists, What Makes the Offense takes its title from the Moliere quote: "Public scandal is what makes the offense; sinning in private is not sinning at all."
Cast:
Four men, four women, plus extras.
Running time:
2 Hours
+Intermission
Previous Readings:
Room 5001's "Incomplete Works" Reading Series
Playwrights Horizons Studios
November 2006
Directed by Craig Jorczak
Playwrights Horizons Theatre School
440 Studios Black Box Theater
April 2005
Directed by Katie McGehee
