Plays by John Donald O'Shea

"Mornings After the Dream"

2011-04-27T18:49:00.000-07:00

“MORNINGS AFTER THE DREAM”

Synopsis

Ethel Jones, a single mother who works as a church secretary, keeps a home were she resides with her teen age son and daughter. Ethel’s husband was shot dead when the children were small during an attempted armed robbery. Her son, Terry, is a prejudiced, surly teen age boy.He has begun to repeat the mistakes of his father. He has dropped out of school and is selling cannabis on the street. The play begins when he brings home an expensive television set, and pits Ethel and the police against her disrespectful son, his girl friend and his new attorney.

FOR SCRIPTS OR PERMISSION TO PERFORM PLAY

If you are interested in a perusing a copy of the play, obtaining scripts or obtaining permission to do the play, please contact me.

Author's e-mail: irishplaywright@qconline.com

Author's Web Site: www.osheasplays.com

"The Blood of Martyrs"

2011-04-27T18:35:00.000-07:00

"The Blood of Martyrs"

“THE BLOOD OF MARTYRS”

SYNOPSIS

In the year 203 A. D., Septimus Severus was emperor of Rome. In March of that year, two Christian women, Perpetua and Felictus [Felicity] incurred death for refusing to offer incense for the welfare of the emperor in the North African city of Carthage.

The great early Christian writer Tertullian is believed to have taken Perpetua’s diary of her imprisonment, and completed the vivid account of her martyrdom.

The author has embellished that quintessential Christian testament of faith to incorporate the dissenting views and opinions of two non- Christian witnesses: those of her father, a pagan, and those of her jailer, Prudens, an agnostic.

What results is a clash of ideas - a clash over the value of martyrdom.

FOR SCRIPTS OR PERMISSION TO PERFORM PLAY

If you are interested in a perusing a copy of the play, obtaining scripts or obtaining permission to do the play, please contact me.

Author's e-mail: irishplaywright@qconline.com

Author's Web Site: www.osheasplays.com

"Nellie's Prayer" (A Cub Fan's Midsumer Night's Dream")

2011-04-27T17:40:00.000-07:00

"Nellie's Prayer" ("A Cub Fan's Midsummer Night's Dream")

Synopsis

Nellie Dee is on a mission. The bishop has decided to close St. Bridget’s Catholic School because the parish is fast going broke. Desperate, Nellie withdraws her life savings and repairs to Blackie Hogan’s bookie joint. It is opening day of the new baseball season, and upon arrival, Nellie explains to Blackie Hogan that she wants to place a bet that the Cubs will win the pennant. Amused, that a sweet 95 year- old lady wants to patronize his business, the big-hearted Hogan offers here 1000 to one odds, only to find she intends to bet the entirety of her $5000 savings. A man of honor, Hogan accepts the bet.

At the same time, however, Nellie peppers God with her incessant prayers. Fully aware of her purpose of saving the school, and impressed with her constancy, God sends his angel, Joseph, to announce to Nellie that here prayers have been heard.

Entirely unaware of Nellie’s efforts, J. F. "Juicy Fruit" Wrigley, the owner of the Cubs, the fans, the press and the team's announcers suffer through one more miserable Cub season, until a desperate Wrigley decides to think “out of the box.” When he does, the Cub fan’s Midsummer Night’s Dream begins.

FOR SCRIPTS OR PERMISSION TO PERFORM PLAY

This script is new and it is as yet unpublished. It is a fun piece.

If you are interested in a perusing a copy of the play, obtaining scripts or obtaining permission to do the play, please contact me.

All arrangements to do the play must be made me. As the play is copyrighted, it may not be done without obtaining my permission.

Author's Web Site: www.osheasplays.com

Author's Email: irishplaywright@qconline.com

“Jack and the Mistress of Memorabilia”

2010-11-05T14:56:00.000-07:00

“Jack and the Mistress of Memorabilia”

Synopsis

A wise man once said, “Don’t believe everything your read in the papers.”

Detective Garrett McFerrett, head of Hawaii Double O, and his aides William “Willy” Danno and Koma Kamikaze find that there is much wisdom in the “old saw.” When they execute a search warrant to “find the goose that laid the golden egg,” they come up empty, and find themselves up against a brilliant scam artist, attempting create a new “can’t miss” “reality” TV show.

FOR SCRIPTS OR PERMISSION TO PERFORM PLAY

This script is new and it is as yet unpublished. It is a fun piece.

If you are interested in a perusing a copy of the play, obtaining scripts or obtaining permission to do the play, please contact me.

All arrangements to do the play must be made me. As the play is copyrighted, it may not be done without obtaining my permission.

Author's Web Site: www.osheasplays.com

Author's Email: irishplaywright@qconline.com

“THE TRIAL OF HARRY WOLFE”

2010-11-05T14:33:00.000-07:00

“THE TRIAL OF HARRY WOLFE”

Synopsis

Every child knows the story of how Little Red Riding Hood, and her grandmother, Granny
Riding Hood were eaten up by the wolf. And almost everyone feels deep sympathy for Granny and the child. But few people have made any real effort to understand why the wolf, poor Harry Wolfe, did what he did.

After Granny Riding Hood and Little Red Riding Hood were devoured by the Harry, a citizen’s
arrest was effected by a wood cutter who happened to be working in the vicinity. Once Harry
Wolfe was safely entrusted to the custody of the sheriff, the wheels of justice began to turn, and
Harry Wolfe was ultimately tried before a jury of his peers for the double homicide. This is the
almost true story of that trial.

This is the story of Harry Wolfe -- a guy who truly marches to a different drummer.

FOR SCRIPTS OR PERMISSION TO PERFORM PLAY

This script is new and it is as yet unpublished. It is one of my favorite pieces.

If you are interested in a perusing a copy of the play, obtaining scripts or obtaining permission to do the play, please contact me.

All arrangements to do the play must be made me. As the play is copyrighted, it may not be done without obtaining my permission.

Author's Web Site: www.osheasplays.com

Author's Email: irishplaywright@qconline.com

"BABES IN TOYAND" - a musical!

2010-01-05T09:36:00.000-08:00

SYNOPSIS

To see color photos from the Quad City Music Guild's December 2009 production of this play, see "Babes in Toyland" at my web site: www.osheasplays.com

"Babes in Toyland" features 11 Victor Herbert musical numbers from the original 1903 score, with a new libretto and lyrics by John Donald O'Shea. The production runs approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. The cast of from 32 - 40 features 8 Male Principals; 4 Female Principals; Large Chorus. Mr. Herbert's 1903 orchestrations are in the public domain. My libretto and lyrics
are copyrighted.

Act I
Barnaby Blatherskite has earned an unenviable reputation as a lawyer. To rehabilitate his public image, he throws a party for all the town’s people. To provide the food, he steals Bopeep’s sheep.

Gladys, Barnaby’s mother, wants him to marry Contrary Mary Piper. Barnaby also wants to marry Mary, but not for love. He has a map showing gold has been buried on her property. As she has previously declined his marriage proposals, he plots for a way to make Mary his wife.

Barnaby is the uncle and guardian of Barney and Jane. He makes his annual financial accounting to them, and invites them to join him for a “little celebration “ later that night.

Barnaby again proposes marriage to Mary. She refuses him, telling him that she loves his nephew, Barney. Barnaby sulks away, realizing that he must remove Barney, if he is to have Mary for himself.

At that evening’s “celebration,” Barnaby serves Barney and Jane drugged champagne, and then rolls his wards up inside rugs. He tells his two henchmen, Oliver and Stanley, he will pay them to deliver the two rugs and a note to the Gypsy Queen, by giving them “credits” against the attorney’s fees they owe him.

Oliver and Stanley would prefer cash. Disgruntled, they decide to read Barnaby’s note to the Gypsy Queen. When they do, the realize that there are people in the rugs, and that Barnaby wants the Gypsy Queen to “permanently dispose” of the people in the rugs. Not wanting to become involved in murder, and seeing a way to get cash, Oliver and Barnaby decide to dump the people in the rugs in the Forbidden Forest of No Return.

Barnaby then tells Mary that his wards have been lost on the lake. Mary, afraid of Barnaby, decides to flee the town. Tom, her brother, decides to go with her as her protector. They opt to flee into the Forbidden Forest of No Return.

Act II

Once in the forest, Mary and Tom quickly come to realize that they are tired, thirsty and hungry, and that they have brought inadequate provisions. They are captured by the Forest Tree Soldiers and taken to the Queen of the Forest.

When Jane and Barney awake from their drugged stupor in another forest clearing, after having been dumped by Oliver and Stanley, they hear noises. They discover that the Queen of the Fireflies, who is the Queen of the Forest, has been caught in the web of the evil Spider Captain. When Jane and Barney startle the Spider Captain, he trips and falls into another of his own webs. Jane and Barney release the Queen of the Forest, who flies off without thanking them. Jane and Barney are also captured by the Forest Trees and taken to the Queen of the Forest.

Mary and Tom, when brought before the Queen of the Forest, are tried for forest trespass and sentenced to life imprisonment. When Jane and Barney are tried, the Queen accepts their explanation of being being dumped in the forest. Out of gratitude to Jane and Barney she grants them one wish. Jane and Barney ask that Mary and Tom be freed, that they all may be sent to Toyland, and that if friends and family come looking for them, that they, too, will be sent on to Toyland. The Queen agrees and provides the four young people with an escort to Toyland.

When Barnaby, Oliver, Stanley, Gladys and the Widow show up in the Queen’s court seeking the four young people, the Queen faithful to her promises, has them escorted to Toyland as well.

Act III

When Tom, Mary, Barney and Jane arrive in Toyland, they are taken before the Lord High Mayor who assigns them work in the Toymaker’s workshop.

When Barnaby and the rest arrive a bit later, the Mayor assigns Barnaby, Oliver and Stanley to work at Santa’s reindeer stable. The women are assigned cleaning duties at the Toyland town hall.

Barnaby, while at the reindeer stables, continues to plot to capture Mary and return home. He devises a plan to steal Santa’s reindeer and sleigh to use as his escape vehicle.

Barnaby, Oliver and Stanley then sneak over to the Toymaker’s shop, and see only the Toymaker and Mary in the shop. They enter, in disguise as “bag inspectors,” trick the Toymaker into getting into one of the bags to test it for quality, and then bind the Toymaker in the bag, and shove him into a closet. The three then bag Mary, and are about to carry her to the sleigh, when they are interrupted.

The three evildoers did not see Jane working off in the corner. Jane has snuck out and raised the alarm. A phalanx of Toy Soldiers attacks Barnaby and his henchmen, but are easily beaten off. A second phalanx abandons their pop guns, and beat Barnaby into submission in what amounts to a pillow fight with teddies.

The malefactors are captured, and a grateful Santa bestows Christmas rewards upon the four young people.

FOR SCRIPTS OR PERMISSION TO PERFORM PLAY

If you are interested in a perusing a copy of the play, obtaining scripts or obtaining permission to do the play, please contact my publisher, BIG DOG PUBLISHING. The publisher has made a significant portion of the play available for on line perusal without charge.

All arrangements to do the play must be made through the publisher. As the play is copyrighted, it may not be done without obtaining permission from the publisher.

My publisher and agent is "BIG DOG PUBLISHING."

BIG DOG PUBLISHING
P. O. Box 1400
Tallevast, FL 34270

Email: Info@BigDogPlays.com

AUTHOR'S NOTE

To do a musical, you will need (1) copies of the libretto, (2) the piano/vocal score and (3) vocal scores for the singers. These items are available from BIG DOG PUBLISHING.

In addition, you will need a "Conductor's Score" (showing music for each instrument) and the "Orchestral Parts" (piccolo, flutes 1 & 2, oboes, clarinets 1 & 2, bassoon, horns 1 & 2, trumpets, tuba, trombone, harp, percussion, triangle, cantinets, drums, violins 1 & 2, viola, cello and contrabass. I have these items.

Working from a copy of Victor Herbert's original 1903 handwritten conductor's score, I have copied eleven numbers into the Finale Music Program and printed them out in PDF format. I can supply, therefore, a printed "Conductor's Score" and the "Orchestral Parts" for this VictorHerber/John Donald O'Shea operetta.

My e-mail address is: irishplaywright@qconline.com

Author's Web Site: www.osheasplays.com

"THE GATES OF HELL"

2010-01-05T09:26:00.000-08:00

SYNOPSIS

The play spans a three week period in the life of a young Catholic Priest. Tom Ryan is the newly minted Catholic priest. He has been assigned to assist Monsignor O’Rourke at St. Patrick’s Parish.

Without prior design, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, he blunders into the realm of heresy when he questions the imputation of Adam’s sin to all his descendants. And like others before him who have advanced unorthodox teachings, Ryan learns the difficulty of returning to the bosom of Holy Mother Church.

FOR SCRIPTS OR PERMISSION TO PERFORM PLAY

If you are interested in a perusing a copy of the play, obtaining scripts or obtaining permission to do the play, please contact me.

Author's Email: irishplaywright@qconline.com

Author's Web Site: www.osheasplays.com

"Sherlock Holmes and the Wolf Family Caper"

2009-02-26T19:36:00.000-08:00

"SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE WOLF FAMILY CAPER"

Synopsis

When two prominent members of the community, Chester White and Yorky Yorkshire, disappear, the police are forced to seek the help of the public to locate the missing persons who are feared dead. Suspicion falls on the sundry members of the notorious Wolfe clan.

The story of the murders is well known. This play tells the true story of the many difficulties attendant to the investigation of those murders.

FOR SCRIPTS OR PERMISSION TO PERFORM PLAY

If you are interested in a perusing a copy of the play, obtaining scripts or obtaining permission to do the play, please contact my publisher, BIG DOG PUBLISHING. The publisher will make a significant portion of the play available for on line perusal without charge. The play will appear in the publisher's Web Page catalog in 2010.

All arrangements to do the play must be made through the publisher. As the play is copyrighted, it may not be done without obtaining permission from the publisher.

My publisher and agent is "BIG DOG PUBLISHING."

BIG DOG PUBLISHING
P. O. Box 1400
Tallevast, FL 34270

Web: www.BigDogPlays.com

Email: Info@BigDogPlays.com

Author's Web Site: www.osheasplays.com

Author's Email: irishplaywright@qconline.com

"Death Warrant for Dracula"

2009-02-19T08:01:00.000-08:00

"DEATH WARRANT FOR DRACULA"

“Death Warrant for Dracula” is a comic farce. The play runs about 50 minutes. It has been staged on both a traditional stage, and on an “in the round or thrust stage.” The cast consists of ten (5 men and 5 women). A really nice Halloween piece.

SYNOPSIS

Count Dracula takes a teaching position at a small women’s college, but instead of preying upon hapless Victorian Females, Dracula instead finds himself the victim of an accomplished student athlete, Lucy Howard, who is more than happy to clobber him with her tennis racquet, golf club or whatever other club happens to be handy. And if that isn’t bad enough, Dracula encounters a host of zany faculty members, including a biology professor who crawls about the floors in search of insects to eat, a music professor who writes macabre musicals, and a spooking poetry-reciting English teacher who has corrected at least one too many exams. When Dracula is finally captured “ethical reservations” prohibit the time-honored “stake through the heart” method of vampire destruction, and force Headmaster Evan Howard and Franz Van Helsing, the noted “vampirologist,” to devise a more “civilized was to rid the world of the vampiric scourge.”

FOR SCRIPTS OR PERMISSION TO PERFORM PLAY

If you are interested in a perusing a copy of the play, obtaining scripts or obtaining permission to do the play, please contact my publisher, BIG DOG PUBLISHING. The publisher has made a significant portion of the play available for on line perusal without charge.

All arrangements to do the play must be made through the publisher. As the play is copyrighted, it may not be done without obtaining permission from the publisher.

My publisher and agent is "BIG DOG PUBLISHING."

BIG DOG PUBLISHING
P. O. Box 1400
Tallevast, FL 34270

Email: Info@BigDogPlays.com

Author's Email: irishplaywright@qconline.com

Author's Web Site: www.osheasplays.com

"The Stuffed Animal"

2009-02-19T07:58:00.000-08:00

"The Stuffed Animal"

"The Stuffed Animal" is a Christmas Fairy Tale based on the lives of "real stuffed animals."

There are ten in the cast (7 women, 1 man, and 2 "eithers.") The play takes place in the front and back rooms of a little Victorian style shop, known as "The Stuffed Animal."

SYNOPSIS

One Christmas eve, a young woman, Cindy Kim sees Abigail Grace, the proprietor of a little shop known as the “Stuffed Animal,” walking her dog "Furf" (short for "Fur Face") just across the street from her shop. Cindy inquires about her favorite doll, long ago sold at a yard sale by Cindy's mother. Ms. Grace recalls the doll and takes Cindy into her shop in search of Cindy's doll, “Sabrina Ballerina.” While in the shop Cindy comes to meet Sabrina’s new "friends," the other dolls and plushes, who come alive for one night to tell the stories of the children they once loved.

The author envisions the play being underscored with traditional Christmas carols, but these can be omitted if a more secular Christmas play is preferred. If the carols are employed, a chorus of carolers who would sing off stage is contemplated.

FOR SCRIPTS OR PERMISSION TO PERFORM PLAY

If you are interested in a perusing a copy of the play, obtaining scripts or obtaining permission to do the play, please contact my publisher, BIG DOG PUBLISHING. The publisher will make a significant portion of the play available for on line perusal without charge.

All arrangements to do the play must be made through the publisher. As the play is copyrighted, it may not be done without first obtaining permission from the publisher.

My publisher and agent is "BIG DOG PUBLISHING."

BIG DOG PUBLISHING
P. O. Box 1400
Tallevast, FL 34270

Web: www.BigDogPlays.com

Email: Info@BigDogPlays.com

Author's Email: irishplaywright@qconline.com

Author's Web Site: www.osheasplays.com

"Inspector Findout and the Lost Cherry Pie"

2009-02-19T07:55:00.000-08:00

"Inspector Findout and the Lost Cherry Pie"

"Inspector Findout and the Lost Cherry Pie" is a play written by the author and his daughter, Erin. The play runs 20-25 minutes. There is a cast of seven (a boy, 5 girls and one "either.")

SYNOPSIS

When the cherry pie which Mom baked for dinner disappears, she deputizes her son, Tom, under his nomme d’guerre, Inspector Findout, to ferret out the culprit. In the course of that investigation, Tom examines all the “usual suspects,” which in this case include the family dog, and four uncooperative older sisters. Tom's detective efforts cause him to inspect the environs about the kitchen table, his dog's mouth and paws, his sisters' tooth brushes, and the rooms of his older hostile twin sisters - all without a search warrant. The play is a personal favorite piece of the author.

FOR SCRIPTS OR PERMISSION TO PERFORM PLAY

If you are interested in a perusing a copy of the play, obtaining scripts or obtaining permission to do the play, please contact my publisher, BROOKLYN PUBLISHERS, LLC. The publisher will make a significant portion of the play available for on line perusal without charge.

All arrangements to do the play must be made through the publisher. As the play is copyrighted, it may not be done without obtaining permission from the publisher.

My publisher and agent is "BROOKLYN PUBLISHERS, LLC."

BROOKLYN PUBLISHERS, LLC.
1841 Cord Street
Odessa, TX 79762
Phone: 888-473-8521
Fax: 432-368-0340

Web: www.brookpub.com

Email: Brookpublising@aol.com

Author's e-mail: irishplaywright@qconline.com

Author's Web Site: www.osheasplays.com

"The Case of the Music Guild Murders"

2009-02-19T07:51:00.000-08:00

"The Case of the Music Guild Murders"

"The Case of the Music Guild Murders" is a mystery comedy. Its running time is about 30 minutes. The play has a cast of 2 men and 3 women.

SNYOPSIS

It's another typical year at the River City Music Guild. Two directors have already been murdered, and now the body of a third has been found floating in the lagoon a few hundred yards from the Guild theatre. Examination of the deceased indicates he has been strangled, poisoned, stabbed and shot. The police suspect that the perpetrator is a soprano! To catch the murderer, the police resort to a bit of their own "theatre."

FOR SCRIPTS OR PERMISSION TO PERFORM PLAY

If you are interested in a perusing a copy of the play, obtaining scripts or obtaining permission to do the play, please contact my publisher, BIG DOG PUBLISHING. The publisher will make a significant portion of the play available for on line perusal without charge.

All arrangements to do the play must be made through the publisher. As the play is copyrighted, it may not be done without obtaining permission from the publisher.

My publisher and agent is "BIG DOG PUBLISHING."

BIG DOG PUBLISHING
P. O. Box 1400
Tallevast, FL 34270

Web: www.BigDogPlays.com

Email: Info@BigDogPlays.com

Author's Email: irishplaywright@qconline.com

Author's Web Site: www.osheasplays.com

"The First Herald Angel"

2009-02-19T07:48:00.000-08:00

"The First Herald Angel"

The "First Herald Angel" is an original Christmas comedic play. It contains an original song, the Song of Herald Angel, "Come Sons of Men." Flexible cast: 1 male; 1 female; three "eithers." The Play runs about 18 minutes.

SNYOPSIS

On the first Christmas Eve a poor shepherd happens across a small child in the hill country about Bethlehem. To the shepherd’s surprise, the child explains she is an angel practicing to be a herald angel so she can announce the Savior’s birth. The shepherd, taken by the child’s sincerity, believes the child’s story, and asks to see the Savior. The shepherd’s wife, however, has her doubts.

FOR SCRIPTS OR PERMISSION TO PERFORM PLAY

If you are interested in a perusing a copy of the play, obtaining scripts or obtaining permission to do the play, please contact my publisher, THEATREFOLK. The publisher has made a significant portion of the play available for on line perusal without charge.

All arrangements to do the play must be made through the publisher. As the play is copyrighted, it may not be done without obtaining permission from the publisher.

My publisher and agent is "THEATREFOLK."

THEATREFOLK
P. O. Box 1064
Crystal Beach, ON, CANADA LOS 180
Tel. 1-866-245-9138 Fax 1-877-245-9138

Web: www.theatrefolk.com

Email tfolk@theatrefolk.com

Author's e-mail: irishplaywright@qconline.com

Author's Web Site: www.osheasplays.com

"The Day Ma's Boys Done Went to Town to Rob the Bank, Again"

2009-02-19T07:43:00.000-08:00

"The Day Ma's Boys Done Went to Town to Rob the Bank, Again"

"The Day Ma's Boys Done Went to Town to Rob the Bank, Again" is a bodacious original melodrama set in the hills of Arkansas. The play runs about 60 minutes, and calls for a cast of 6 men and 6 women.

SYNOPSIS

Ma Scraggins has decided it’s time to marry off her “four” illiterate sons, Claude, Cletus and Clem (in reality there are only three boys, but nobody at Scraggins’ Gulch is particularly proficient in math). To that end, she requests the assistance of Pastor Hezikiah Cropkiller, the local man of the cloth.

But before the efforts Pastor Cropkiller can bear fruit, the “four” Scraggins’ boys, during the course of a failed bank robbery, take matters into their own hands. They “bag, and kidnap their prospective brides, and bring them home to Ma for her approval. But Belle, Gloria and Prudence, the prospective brides, once “unbagged prove to be rather unlike Ma, “the girl that married dear old dad.”

FOR SCRIPTS OR PERMISSION TO PERFORM PLAY

If you are interested in a perusing a copy of the play, obtaining scripts or obtaining permission to do the play, please contact my publisher, BIG DOG PUBLISHING. The publisher will make a significant portion of the play available for on line perusal without charge.

All arrangements to do the play must be made through the publisher. As the play is copyrighted, it may not be done without obtaining permission from the publisher.

My publisher and agent is "BIG DOG PUBLISHING."

BIG DOG PUBLISHING
P. O. Box 1400
Tallevast, FL 34270

Web: www.BigDogPlays.com

Email: Info@BigDogPlays.com

Author's e-mail: irishplaywright@qconline.com

Author's Web Site: www.osheasplays.com

"Ginzberg's Irish Wake"

2009-02-19T07:40:00.000-08:00

"Ginzberg's Irish Wake"

"Ginzberg's Irish Wake" is a not improbable Irish farce. The play runs 20-25 minutes, and features a cast of 2 women and 3 men.

SYNOPSIS

When Mary O’Malley’s husband passes away years before his time, the beautiful and bereaved widow holds a traditional “Irish Wake at her home. When pianist David Cohen warrants to the Widow O’Malley that “he knows all the Irish numbers,” she hires him to play at the wake, only to discover during the festivities that his assurances were untrue. When he is unable to play the Irish “standards” for the mourners to sing, Mary labels him a fraud and refuses to pay his agreed on fee, withholding half of it.

Feeling that his professional competence has been impugned, David sues the Widow O’Malley and importunes his longtime friend, Kate Green, a prominent member of the defense bar, to represent him when the case appears in the Small Claims Courtroom of the Hon. Abraham Ginsberg. Unintimidated, Mary O’Malley defends herself, and in the process calls Father Shamus Rory Mulligan as her expert witness, in a trial that takes one strange twist after another.

The show features four traditional Irish numbers from the Public Domain. The author can provide (public domain) sheet music for these numbers. Contact him at his e-mail address below.

FOR SCRIPTS OR PERMISSION TO PERFORM PLAY

If you are interested in a perusing a copy of the play, obtaining scripts or obtaining permission to do the play, please contact my publisher, BIG DOG PUBLISHING. The publisher will make a significant portion of the play available for on line perusal without charge.

All arrangements to do the play must be made through the publisher. As the play is copyrighted, it may not be done without obtaining permission from the publisher.

My publisher and agent is "BIG DOG PUBLISHING."

BIG DOG PUBLISHING
P. O. Box 1400
Tallevast, FL 34270

Web: www.BigDogPlays.com

Email: Info@BigDogPlays.com

Author's e-mail: irishplaywright@qconline.com

Author's Web Site: www.osheasplays.com

"Little Nell and the Mortgage Foreclosure"

2009-02-19T07:09:00.000-08:00

"LITTLE NELL AND THE MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE"

"Little Nell and the Mortgage Foreclosure" is an old fashioned melodrama, complete with hero, heroine and villain. The play runs 30-40 minutes. There is a single set, and a cast of 5 (3 women, 2 men). The play can be easily performed either on a traditional stage, or "in the round."

SYNOPSIS

When Nell's family business falls upon hard times, the virtuous Nell Pureheart finds herself unable to make even a partial mortgage payment on her farm and home. In desperation, she asks forbearance from Wiley Whiplash, whose Savings and Loan holds her mortgage.

Wiley, however has his own problems. He has invested his Savings and Loan’s depositors’ moneys in oil wells in Texas, and has lost his investment. Wiley, however, has learned that Nell’s home and farm sit atop a pool of oil. To recoup his fortunes, Wiley must get his hands on the oil under Nell’s farm. He, therefore, schemes to marry Nell.

Because Nell is without guile, she cannot imagine that Wiley would take advantage of her. Her dear Aunt Nora, however, is under no such illusions. Nora places her hopes in the return of a not overly bright barrister, Casey Cleandeed, Nell’s childhood sweetheart, who has just graduated from Law School.

As the plot thickens Nell's hired hand Gideann Byball comments on the action, and encourages the audience to hiss and boo Whiplash. The "rubber chicken" bits are sure crowd pleasers.

FOR SCRIPTS OR PERMISSION TO PERFORM PLAY

If you are interested in a perusing a copy of the play, obtaining scripts or obtaining permission to do the play, please contact my publisher, THEATREFOLK. The publisher has made a significant portion of the play available for on line perusal without charge.

All arrangements to do the play must be made through the publisher. As the play is copyrighted, it may not be done without obtaining permission from the publisher.

My publisher and agent is "THEATREFOLK."

THEATREFOLK
P. O. Box 1064
Crystal Beach, ON, CANADA LOS 180
Tel. 1-866-245-9138 Fax 1-877-245-9138

Web: www.theatrefolk.com

Email: tfolk@theatrefolk.com

Author's e-mail: irishplaywright@qconline.com

Author's Web Site: www.osheasplays.com

“A CHANGE OF VENUE”

2009-02-18T09:47:00.000-08:00

“A CHANGE OF VENUE”

Synopsis

A serious work dealing with the legality and morality of abortion and death. Running Time: approximately 2 hours. Cast of 3M, 1F and 6 "eithers." The director can also empanel a jury of twelve to consider the issues raised by the play.

When Father Thomas Slavin, a Catholic priest opposed to abortion concludes that the United States Supreme Court holding in Roe v Wade cannot be overturned in the political arena, he acts upon his belief that a fetus is a human person and takes the life of a doctor about to perform a late-term partial birth abortion.

The play is a Court room drama in which Father Slavin and his attorney, David Hoffman, attempt to justify Slavin’s shot gun murder of Doctor Green before a jury of Slavin’s peers.

When Doctor Green’s wife invokes a more primordial form of justice, the venue changes to a different court.

FOR SCRIPTS OR PERMISSION TO PERFORM PLAY

If you are interested in a perusing a copy of the play, obtaining scripts or obtaining permission to do the play, please contact me.

Author's e-mail: irishplaywright@qconline.com

Author's Web Site: www.osheasplays.com

"The Quit Claimed Ghost of the Old Viola Opera House"

2009-02-18T09:36:00.000-08:00

"The Quit Claimed Ghost of the Old Viola Opera House"

Synopsis

A comedy with a message for young women. Cast of 5F and 3M. Running time: 50 minutes

When Molly O’Hara and her friend, Janet Johnston, decide to open an Antique Store in the tiny town of Viola, Illinois, they are attracted to a building known as the old “Viola Opera House.” They are not dissuaded from from buying the old vaudeville house even when Bill Cornelis, the seller’s realtor, advises them the place may be haunted.

With the assistance of their intrepid realtor, Gloria DeGreve, the proprietor of the flower shop next door, and Susan Harper, the Director of the Mercer County Historical Society, Molly and Janet embark on a mission. Molly, not satisfied with answering the question of whether the place is haunted, wants to know why.

With recourse to the sharp memory of an elderly resident of the town, and the newspaper accounts of a shooting that occurred shortly after the turn of the twentieth century, Molly and Susan come face to face with their “Quit Claimed Ghost,” the vaudevillian song and dance man, Jack Harris. Along the way they also encounter his partner, Kitty Sloan, and Tom Scanlan who encourages Kitty to leave her abusive relationship with Jack. As Kitty deals with her problem, Molly and Janet deal with theirs.

The play combines comedy, tragedy, ghosts and morality into funny play with a strong, but subtle, message for young women to remove themselves from abusive relationships.

FOR SCRIPTS OR PERMISSION TO PERFORM PLAY

If you are interested in a perusing a copy of the play, obtaining scripts or obtaining permission to do the play, please contact my publisher, DRAMA SOURCE. The publisher will make a significant portion of the play available for on line perusal without charge. The play will appear in the publisher's Web Page catalog in the summer of 2011.

All arrangements to do the play must be made through the publisher. As the play is copyrighted, it may not be done without obtaining permission from the publisher.

My publisher and agent is DRAMA SOURCE.

DRAMA SOURCE
1588 E. 361 N.
St. Anthony, Idaho 83445
1-208-624-4726

Web: www.dramasource.com/

Email: See DRAMA SOURCE WEB SITE

Author's e-mail: irishplaywright@qconline.com

Author's Web Site: www.osheasplays.com

"Buyer Beware, Darling?"

2009-02-16T20:35:00.000-08:00

“BUYER BEWARE, DARLING?”

A"spirited" Halloween comedy. Running time: 30-35 minutes. 4 girls and boys.

Synopsis

As Erin’s birthday approaches, which falls on Halloween, to prevent Harry, Erin’s significant other, from giving her another “practical” present, Sage, her room mate, offers to give Harry a “hint.” She suggests that Erin would like something “exotic.” So armed, Harry and his friend, Tom, go to Ebay to find the perfect “exotic” gift for Erin. Among the items advertised is a superfluous “Ghost!”

FOR SCRIPTS OR PERMISSION TO PERFORM PLAY

If you are interested in a perusing a copy of the play, obtaining scripts or obtaining permission to do the play, please contact my publisher, DRAMA SOURCE. The publisher will make a significant portion of the play available for on line perusal without charge. The play will appear in the publisher's Web Page catalog in 2010.

All arrangements to do the play must be made through the publisher. As the play is copyrighted, it may not be done without obtaining permission from the publisher.

My publisher and agent is DRAMA SOURCE.

DRAMA SOURCE
1588 E. 361 N.
St. Anthony, Idaho 83445
1-208-624-4726

Web: www.dramasource.com/

Email: See DRAMA SOURCE WEB SITE

Author's e-mail: irishplaywright@qconline.com

Author's Web Site: www.osheasplays.com

"Rogues Along the River"

2009-02-16T20:11:00.000-08:00

"Rogues Along the River"

Synopsis

Running Time: Approximately 75 minutes. 5 Women and 4 men. Melodrama.

When the town of Polecat Point is all but washed away by the raging spring waters of the Mississippi River, Phineas Fourberie, the town’s first citizen and banker, plots to recoup the loss of his personal fortune contained in his great iron safe which he believes may have come to rest amid the sawyers along the property of his neighbor, dear little Mary Goodperson.

Mary, meanwhile, with the aid Phoebe Forthright and their faithful Indian friend, Running River, has set in motion a plan to assist their less fortunate neighbors who have lost all in the flood. Fourberie, seeing the opening he awaits, takes advantage of the situation by providing Mary with money for her venture, taking a mortgage on her property, and then acting to make certain her venture fails.

Just as it looks as if Fourberie’s plan will come to fruition, Mary’s uncle, Merriweather Maresnest arrives, followed by a raft of other rogues - all intent on fleecing the fleece-able. Before the mandatory happy denouement, every rogue takes his best shot at conning one somebody.

FOR SCRIPTS OR PERMISSION TO PERFORM PLAY

If you are interested in a perusing a copy of the play, obtaining scripts or obtaining permission to do the play, please contact my publisher, BIG DOG PUBLISHING. The publisher will make a significant portion of the play available for on line perusal without charge. The play will appear in the publisher's Web Page catalog in 2009.

All arrangements to do the play must be made through the publisher. As the play is copyrighted, it may not be done without obtaining permission from the publisher.

My publisher and agent is "BIG DOG PUBLISHING."

BIG DOG PUBLISHING
P. O. Box 1400
Tallevast, FL 34270

Web: www.BigDogPlays.com

Email: Info@BigDogPlays.com

Author's e-mail: irishplaywright@qconline.com

Author's Web Site: www.osheasplays.com

"The Revolting Cheerleaders"

2009-02-16T20:06:00.000-08:00

“THE REVOLTING CHEERLEADERS”

Synopsis

An almost politically correct high school comedy. 7 women and 6 men. Running time: 35 to 40 minutes.

Cheerleader Erin O'Connor has been dating Scott Superbowl, the quarterback of the high school football team. To celebrate his recent birthday, she bought him a lobster dinner and an expensive shirt. An ungrateful Scott then asks Lorilie Lugnut to the homecoming dance.

A furious Erin responds by refusing to participate in the long standing tradition of cheerleaders buying and providing snacks for members of the football team. When Abby Dolan sides with Erin, they are both voted off the team.

Now even more furious, they take the only reasonable course. They prepare to sue their fellow cheerleaders before the Student Council, while the members of the football team take steps to insure a verdict in their favor.

FOR SCRIPTS OR PERMISSION TO PERFORM PLAY

If you are interested in a perusing a copy of the play, obtaining scripts or obtaining permission to do the play, please contact my publisher, THEATREFOLK. The publisher has made a significant portion of the play available for on line perusal without charge.

All arrangements to do the play must be made through the publisher. As the play is copyrighted, it may not be done without obtaining permission from the publisher.

My publisher and agent is "THEATREFOLK."

THEATREFOLK
P. O. Box 1064
Crystal Beach, ON, CANADA LOS 180
Tel. 1-866-245-9138 Fax 1-877-245-9138

Web: www.theatrefolk.com

Email tfolk@theatrefolk.com

Author's e-mail: irishplaywright@qconline.com

Author's Web Site: www.osheasplays.com

"Grandma Rosie"

2009-02-16T19:58:00.000-08:00

"GRANDMA ROSIE"

SYNOPSIS

A warm, light, comic reminiscence. 3 females, 1 male and 2 "eithers." Running Time: About 22 - 25 Minutes

“GRANDMA ROSIE” is a short comedy in three acts. Rosie is a 94 year old woman who lives alone in her home. She is still spry, but her memory is not what it was.

Rosie is fortunate to have a loving family who frequently looks in after her. Her grand daughter, Sara, is her main support.

But with Rosie, the most prosaic incident, can turn into an unexpected major incident. The play present three “molehills” that Rosie turns into “mountains.”

FOR SCRIPTS OR PERMISSION TO PERFORM PLAY

If you are interested in a perusing a copy of the play, obtaining scripts or obtaining permission to do the play, please contact my publisher, BROOKLYN PUBLISHERS, LLC. The publisher will make a significant portion of the play available for on line perusal without charge.

All arrangements to do the play must be made through the publisher. As the play is copyrighted, it may not be done without obtaining permission from the publisher.

My publisher and agent is "BROOKLYN PUBLISHERS, LLC."

BROOKLYN PUBLISHERS, LLC.
1841 Cord Street
Odessa, TX 79762
Phone: 888-473-8521
Fax: 432-368-0340

Web: www.brookpub.com

Email: Brookpublising@aol.com

Author's e-mail: irishplaywright@qconline.com

Author's Web Site: www.osheasplays.com

"The Day Black Bart Balderdash and Dangerous Dan McGrew Went to Dueling at Miss Kitty's Golden Nugget Saloon"

2009-02-16T19:33:00.000-08:00

"THE DAY BLACK BART BALDERDASH AND DANGEROUS DAN McGREW WENT TO DUELING MISS KITTY’S GOLDEN NUGGET SALOON"

Synopsis

A wild west farce, replete with memorable characters. 4 men, 4 women and 5 "eithers." Running time: 45-50 minutes.

When Dangerous Dan McGrew and Black Bart Balderdash, partners in prospecting for gold, decide to play a friendly game of cards in Miss Kitty’s Golden Nugget Saloon, the boys go for their guns when Bart accuses Dan of cheating. But as they do, their duel is repeatedly interrupted by the other well-meaning citizens of the town, who offer the boys everything from wills, to dueling licenses and prepaid funeral services.

FOR SCRIPTS OR PERMISSION TO PERFORM PLAY

If you are interested in a perusing a copy of the play, obtaining scripts or obtaining permission to do the play, please contact my publisher, BIG DOG PUBLISHING. The publisher will make a significant portion of the play available for on line perusal without charge.

All arrangements to do the play must be made through the publisher. As the play is copyrighted, it may not be done without obtaining permission from the publisher.

My publisher and agent is "BIG DOG PUBLISHING."

BIG DOG PUBLISHING
P. O. Box 1400
Tallevast, FL 34270

Web: www.BigDogPlays.com

Email: Info@BigDogPlays.com

Author's e-mail: irishplaywright@qconline.com

Author's Web Site: www.osheasplays.com