King o' the Moon

King o' the Moon Over the Tavern, Part II by Tom Dudzick

(3)
Productions (75)
Comedy/Drama
|
120 - 135 minutes
3 W, 4 M, 
Content Notes: Mild adult language
Set: Realistic inner city backyard with rear of brick two-story dwelling, front of garage and tree with practical tree house.

In this hilarious, heartfelt sequel to Over the Tavern, the Pazinski family has left the conservative 1950s for the rebellious 1960s. But prior knowledge of this working-class family is not a prerequisite to appreciating their ongoing trials and triumphs. As Apollo 11 is about to land on the moon, the family gathers to honor their late father's memory, and they quickly become entangled in each others' problems -- Rudy is re-thinking the priesthood, Eddie is preparing for fatherhood and Vietnam, and Annie is contemplating divorce as their mother Ellen considers a new romance. There's rarely a quiet moment in the Pazinski household as they hurtle towards the next decade.

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $105
Standard Edition $13.99
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
Archival Video License $150

*The per performance fee begins at $105. 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.

Play Details

In this hilarious, heartfelt sequel to Over the Tavern, the Pazinski family has left the conservative 1950s for the rebellious 1960s. But prior knowledge of this working-class family is not a prerequisite to appreciating their ongoing trials and triumphs. As Apollo 11 is about to land on the moon, the family gathers to honor their late father's memory, and they quickly become entangled in each others' problems -- Rudy is re-thinking the priesthood, Eddie is preparing for fatherhood and Vietnam, and Annie is contemplating divorce as their mother Ellen considers a new romance. There's rarely a quiet moment in the Pazinski household as they hurtle towards the next decade.

A one-act version of this play is available, perfect for competition use; contact Playscripts for details.

  • Comedy/Drama
  • |
  • 120 - 135 minutes
  • 3 W, 4 M, 
  • Content Notes: Mild adult language
  • Set: Realistic inner city backyard with rear of brick two-story dwelling, front of garage and tree with practical tree house.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-183-6

Published Reviews

"Winces with pain and winks with joy. In its easy accessibility, this is a play that sometimes feels like an all-American musical comedy without the music."

Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun Times

"The new play--like the decade in which it is set--has a greater urgency and sharper realism than its predecessor, as the adult Pazinskis tackle grown-up issues like divorce, remarriage, war and draft-evasion. Dudzick is well on his way to becoming the Neil Simon of the Catholic, Polish-American working class..."

Alice T. Carter, InTheater Magazine

"...like the comforting taste of homemade bread, this production leaves reviewers satisfied, delighted and hungering for more."

Christina M. Abt, Hamburg Sun

"Dudzick's play will no doubt at some point be referred to as a Catholic's Brighton Beach Memoirs, with its lovable down-to-earth family members and well-timed comedic happenstances. Yet it is original and real--a slice of Americana that helps us all remember what being a family is all about."

David Fielding, Pittsburgh Theatre Critic

"What is true about individual plays may be also true about Dudzick's Pazinski family saga--that it reaches a better end for taking its time getting there."

Christopher Rawson, Pittsburgh Post Gazette

"Tom Dudzick's play has taken inertia out of sixties nostalgia and brought to life an honest take on family and an honest look at tolerance. King o' the Moon is dynamic entertainment from the very beginning."

John Simonds, The Rensselaer Beacon

"It isn't necessary to have seen Over the Tavern to be immediately drawn into King o' the Moon. The Pazinskis are compelling to watch whether one knows their history or not. A breezy comedy marked by more than a dash of heartache and poignance, King o' the Moon is a clever hybrid of dysfunctional family sitcom and emotional gut-wrencher. That's not an easy mix to create, but playwright Tom Dudzick manages it."

Catey Sullivan, Press Publications/Northeast Dupage

"Tom Dudzick's done it again. His follow-up to the wildly popular Over the Tavern, set a decade earlier, offers another warm, funny and bittersweet look at American family life, tinged with bright nostalgia but edged with dark realism."

Leah A. Zeldes, Wicker Park Booster

"Dudzick's writing offers an enjoyable piece of escapist theatre with distinct, memorable characters and a message of family unity that will seem welcome to many during these hard times."

Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

"Dudzick presents the tensions and struggles associated with the nuclear family, fortunately without falling into nostalgia-for-nostalgia sake syndrome."

Tim Sauers, Gay Chicago Magazine

Production History

SEP 11, 2025 - OCT 05, 2025
The Wimberley Players, Inc.
WIMBERLEY, TX United States
The Wimberley Players, Inc. WIMBERLEY, TX United States
MAR 21, 2023 - MAR 23, 2023
Stephen F. Austin High School
Austin, TX United States
Stephen F. Austin High School Austin, TX United States
MAR 06, 2023 - MAR 06, 2023
Stephen F. Austin High School
Dripping Springs, TX United States
Stephen F. Austin High School Dripping Springs, TX United States
APR 07, 2022 - MAY 07, 2022
Community Christian School
Mineral Wells, TX United States
Community Christian School Mineral Wells, TX United States
OCT 18, 2021 - OCT 22, 2021
Madison County High School
Danielsville, GA United States
Madison County High School Danielsville, GA United States
FEB 22, 2021 - MAY 30, 2021
IDEA FRONTIER UIL OAP
Brownsville, TX United States
IDEA FRONTIER UIL OAP Brownsville, TX United States
MAR 06, 2020 - MAR 08, 2020
The Majestic Theatre
Manchester, NH United States
The Majestic Theatre Manchester, NH United States
MAR 21, 2019 - APR 23, 2019
Ballinger High School
Ballinger, TX United States
Ballinger High School Ballinger, TX United States
OCT 16, 2018 - OCT 17, 2018
Austin High School
EL Paso, TX United States
Austin High School EL Paso, TX United States
MAR 09, 2018 - APR 23, 2018
Bay City HS
Bay City, TX United States
Bay City HS Bay City, TX United States
JUN 15, 2017 - JUL 15, 2017
Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, TX United States
Circle Theatre Fort Worth, TX United States
APR 21, 2017 - APR 30, 2017
New Castle Playhouse
New Castle, PA United States
New Castle Playhouse New Castle, PA United States
APR 20, 2017 - APR 20, 2017
Community Christian School
Mineral Wells, TX United States
Community Christian School Mineral Wells, TX United States
MAR 20, 2017 - MAY 30, 2017
IDEA FRONTIER UIL OAP
Brownsville, TX United States
IDEA FRONTIER UIL OAP Brownsville, TX United States
AUG 18, 2016 - AUG 27, 2016
Abilene Community Theatre
Abilene, TX United States
Abilene Community Theatre Abilene, TX United States
MAR 11, 2016 - MAY 27, 2016
Sharyland Pioneer High School Drama Department
Mission, TX United States
Sharyland Pioneer High School Drama Department Mission, TX United States
MAR 03, 2016 - MAR 20, 2016
The Pineapple Playhouse
Fort Pierce, FL United States
The Pineapple Playhouse Fort Pierce, FL United States
JAN 14, 2016 - JAN 23, 2016
Franklin High School Theater Dept.
El Paso, TX United States
Franklin High School Theater Dept. El Paso, TX United States
OCT 08, 2015 - OCT 11, 2015
The Kavinoky Theater
Buffalo, NY United States
The Kavinoky Theater Buffalo, NY United States
SEP 11, 2015 - OCT 04, 2015
The Kavinoky Theater
Buffalo, NY United States
The Kavinoky Theater Buffalo, NY United States
MAY 15, 2015 - MAY 24, 2015
The Alpha Players
Florissant, MO United States
The Alpha Players Florissant, MO United States
APR 17, 2015 - APR 17, 2015
Health Careers High School
San Antonio, TX United States
Health Careers High School San Antonio, TX United States
NOV 26, 2014 - JAN 04, 2015
Bas Bleu Theatre Company
Fort Collins, CO United States
Bas Bleu Theatre Company Fort Collins, CO United States
OCT 09, 2014 - OCT 14, 2014
Samuel Clemens High School Theatre
Schertz, TX United States
Samuel Clemens High School Theatre Schertz, TX United States
OCT 03, 2014 - OCT 11, 2014
Butler Little Theatre
Butler, PA United States
Butler Little Theatre Butler, PA United States
AUG 30, 2014 - SEP 14, 2014
Lofte Community Theatre
Manley, NE United States
Lofte Community Theatre Manley, NE United States
APR 11, 2014 - MAY 09, 2014
Community Christian School
MIneral Wells, TX United States
Community Christian School MIneral Wells, TX United States
FEB 28, 2014 - MAR 09, 2014
Lancaster Opera House
Lancaster, NY United States
Lancaster Opera House Lancaster, NY United States
OCT 26, 2013 - NOV 02, 2013
Milton High School Theatre
Milton, GA United States
Milton High School Theatre Milton, GA United States
OCT 11, 2013 - OCT 20, 2013
Alden Christian Theatre Society, Inc.
Alden, NY United States
Alden Christian Theatre Society, Inc. Alden, NY United States
OCT 02, 2013 - OCT 11, 2013
Milton High School Theatre
Milton, GA United States
Milton High School Theatre Milton, GA United States
SEP 13, 2013 - SEP 21, 2013
Theatre Works, Inc.
Woonsocket, RI United States
Theatre Works, Inc. Woonsocket, RI United States
FEB 22, 2013 - MAR 17, 2013
Hippodrome Theatre
Gainesville, FL United States
Hippodrome Theatre Gainesville, FL United States
OCT 12, 2012 - OCT 27, 2012
Arts Center At Dunham
Cincinnati, OH United States
Arts Center At Dunham Cincinnati, OH United States
MAY 23, 2012 - MAY 23, 2012
Stephen F. Austin High School
Austin, TX United States
Stephen F. Austin High School Austin, TX United States
MAY 21, 2012 - MAY 21, 2012
Stephen F. Austin High School
Austin, TX United States
Stephen F. Austin High School Austin, TX United States
APR 20, 2012 - APR 20, 2012
Stephen F. Austin High School
Waco, TX United States
Stephen F. Austin High School Waco, TX United States
APR 13, 2012 - APR 22, 2012
Community Players Theatre
Beatrice, NE United States
Community Players Theatre Beatrice, NE United States
APR 11, 2012 - APR 11, 2012
Stephen F. Austin High School
Leander, TX United States
Stephen F. Austin High School Leander, TX United States
APR 05, 2012 - APR 05, 2012
Austin High School
Austin, TX United States
Austin High School Austin, TX United States
APR 01, 2012 - MAY 31, 2012
Lampasas High School
Lampasas, TX United States
Lampasas High School Lampasas, TX United States
JUN 20, 2011 - JUL 24, 2011
Willows Theatre Company
Martinez, CA United States
Willows Theatre Company Martinez, CA United States
APR 13, 2011 - MAY 08, 2011
North Coast Rep
Solana Beach, CA United States
North Coast Rep Solana Beach, CA United States
APR 05, 2011 - APR 24, 2011
Florida Repertory Theatre
Fort Myers, FL United States
Florida Repertory Theatre Fort Myers, FL United States
MAR 11, 2011 - MAR 20, 2011
Alton Little Theater
Alton, IL United States
Alton Little Theater Alton, IL United States
FEB 04, 2011 - FEB 13, 2011
Daytona Playhouse
Daytona Beach, FL United States
Daytona Playhouse Daytona Beach, FL United States
SEP 03, 2010 - SEP 18, 2010
Comtra Theatre
Freedom, PA United States
Comtra Theatre Freedom, PA United States
MAY 21, 2010 - JUN 19, 2010
Curtain Call Theatre
Clifton Park, NY United States
Curtain Call Theatre Clifton Park, NY United States
JAN 14, 2010 - JAN 24, 2010
City Theatre Of Independence
Independence, MO United States
City Theatre Of Independence Independence, MO United States
OCT 16, 2009 - NOV 01, 2009
Lincoln Community Playhouse
Lincoln, NE United States
Lincoln Community Playhouse Lincoln, NE United States
NOV 15, 2007 - NOV 18, 2007
East Central College - Dock 1
Union, MO United States
East Central College - Dock 1 Union, MO United States
SEP 09, 2007 - SEP 10, 2007
Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, TX United States
Circle Theatre Fort Worth, TX United States
APR 01, 2007 - APR 30, 2007
Evansville Civic Theatre
Evansville, IN United States
Evansville Civic Theatre Evansville, IN United States
MAR 12, 2007 - APR 15, 2007
Amesbury Playhouse
Amesbury, MA United States
Amesbury Playhouse Amesbury, MA United States
MAR 03, 2007 - MAR 30, 2007
Richmond Hill Players
Geneso, IL United States
Richmond Hill Players Geneso, IL United States
FEB 02, 2007 - MAR 03, 2007
Racine Theatre Guild
Racine, WI United States
Racine Theatre Guild Racine, WI United States
JAN 03, 2007 - JAN 31, 2007
Stage 3 Theatre Company
Sonora, CA United States
Stage 3 Theatre Company Sonora, CA United States
SEP 01, 2006 - SEP 28, 2006
Chagrin Valley Little Theatre
Chagrin Falls, OH United States
Chagrin Valley Little Theatre Chagrin Falls, OH United States
AUG 01, 2006 - AUG 31, 2006
Carthage College
Kenosha, WI United States
Carthage College Kenosha, WI United States
JUL 01, 2006 - JUL 31, 2006
Theatre Winter Haven
Winterhaven, FL United States
Theatre Winter Haven Winterhaven, FL United States
APR 01, 2006 - APR 30, 2006
Omaha Community Theatre
Omaha , NE United States
Omaha Community Theatre Omaha , NE United States
JAN 07, 2006 - FEB 06, 2006
Topeka Civic Theatre
Topeka, KA United States
Topeka Civic Theatre Topeka, KA United States
OCT 01, 2005 - OCT 31, 2005
Circle Arts Theatre
New Braunfels, TX United States
Circle Arts Theatre New Braunfels, TX United States
APR 01, 2005 - APR 30, 2005
Theatre Project, Inc.
, United States
Theatre Project, Inc. , United States
FEB 01, 2005 - MAR 07, 2005
Boarshead Theatre
Lansing, MI United States
Boarshead Theatre Lansing, MI United States
SEP 01, 2004 - SEP 30, 2004
Lacrosse Community Theatre
Lacrosse, WI United States
Lacrosse Community Theatre Lacrosse, WI United States
FEB 01, 2003 - MAR 30, 2003
Mercury Theatre
Chicago, IL United States
Mercury Theatre Chicago, IL United States
APR 01, 2002 - JAN 01, 1970
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
Cincinnati , OH United States
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Cincinnati , OH United States
APR 01, 2001 - APR 30, 2001
Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Lowell, MA United States
Merrimack Repertory Theatre Lowell, MA United States
JAN 01, 2001 - FEB 05, 2001
La Mirada Theatre
La MIroda, CA United States
La Mirada Theatre La MIroda, CA United States
DEC 01, 2000 - DEC 31, 2000
Capital Repertory Theatre
Albany, NY United States
Capital Repertory Theatre Albany, NY United States
MAR 01, 2000 - MAR 30, 2000
Actors Theatre
Talent, OR United States
Actors Theatre Talent, OR United States
APR 01, 1999 - APR 30, 1999
7 Angels Theatre
Waterbury, CT United States
7 Angels Theatre Waterbury, CT United States
JAN 01, 1999 - FEB 06, 1999
Pittsburgh Public Theatre
Pittsburgh, PA United States
Pittsburgh Public Theatre Pittsburgh, PA United States
SEP 01, 1998 - SEP 30, 1998
Studio Arena Theatre, Buffalo
Buffalo, NY United States
Studio Arena Theatre, Buffalo Buffalo, NY United States
SEP 11, 2025 - OCT 05, 2025
The Wimberley Players, Inc.
WIMBERLEY, TX United States
The Wimberley Players, Inc. WIMBERLEY, TX United States
JUN 15, 2017 - JUL 15, 2017
Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, TX United States
Circle Theatre Fort Worth, TX United States
OCT 08, 2015 - OCT 11, 2015
The Kavinoky Theater
Buffalo, NY United States
The Kavinoky Theater Buffalo, NY United States
SEP 11, 2015 - OCT 04, 2015
The Kavinoky Theater
Buffalo, NY United States
The Kavinoky Theater Buffalo, NY United States
FEB 22, 2013 - MAR 17, 2013
Hippodrome Theatre
Gainesville, FL United States
Hippodrome Theatre Gainesville, FL United States
JUN 20, 2011 - JUL 24, 2011
Willows Theatre Company
Martinez, CA United States
Willows Theatre Company Martinez, CA United States
APR 13, 2011 - MAY 08, 2011
North Coast Rep
Solana Beach, CA United States
North Coast Rep Solana Beach, CA United States
APR 05, 2011 - APR 24, 2011
Florida Repertory Theatre
Fort Myers, FL United States
Florida Repertory Theatre Fort Myers, FL United States
SEP 09, 2007 - SEP 10, 2007
Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, TX United States
Circle Theatre Fort Worth, TX United States

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]