Circumference of a Squirrel

Circumference of a Squirrel A riff with an inner-tube by John Walch

(4)
Productions (35)
Drama/Comedy
|
75 - 90 minutes
1 M, 
Content Notes: Adult language
Set: A chair and an inner-tube

An inner-tube, a bagel, a donut, a lifesaver, a holiday wreath, a tire-swing, a cycle of abuse, a halo of hatred: circles, both real and figurative, whirl out of control in this darkly comic one-man show. And at the center of them all sits an enigmatic squirrel. Orbiting that squirrel is Chester, a self-described rodentophobe who spins the outlandish, funny, and bruising tale of growing up with a father who developed a rabid hatred for squirrels -- a hatred that eventually infected every aspect of his and his son's life. Pursued by memories of his intolerant father and the legacy of bigotry, Chester is pulled into the black hole at the center of his own life where he encounters the mistakes, the fears, the guilt, and the humanity that make him whole again.

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.

Play Details

An inner-tube, a bagel, a donut, a lifesaver, a holiday wreath, a tire-swing, a cycle of abuse, a halo of hatred: circles, both real and figurative, whirl out of control in this darkly comic one-man show. And at the center of them all sits an enigmatic squirrel. Orbiting that squirrel is Chester, a self-described rodentophobe who spins the outlandish, funny, and bruising tale of growing up with a father who developed a rabid hatred for squirrels -- a hatred that eventually infected every aspect of his and his son's life. Pursued by memories of his intolerant father and the legacy of bigotry, Chester is pulled into the black hole at the center of his own life where he encounters the mistakes, the fears, the guilt, and the humanity that make him whole again.

  • Drama/Comedy
  • |
  • 75 - 90 minutes
  • 1 M, 
  • Content Notes: Adult language
  • Set: A chair and an inner-tube
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-191-1

Published Reviews

"Painful memories, tempered by bittersweet rushes of levity and a hint of redemptive power, fill the 90 exhilarating minutes of John Walch's new play Circumference of a Squirrel."

Naomi Siegel, The New York Times

"Circumference of a Squirrel is not only a genuine play, it's one with substance... Every line rings true, every inflection has meaning."

Lawson Taitte, Dallas Morning News

"If Circumference of a Squirrel sounds a bit wacky -- a story about an inner tube, a bagel, a donut, a lifesaver, and a squirrel -- that's probably because it is. This one-man show with bite ... employs different voices for each character and pulls off the conceit with flair... John Walch's somewhat absurd play is captivating -- and fun."

Gretchen C. Van Benthuysen, Back Stage

"...first engages the audience's interest, then its sympathy, and then its solid admiration for a job superbly done... Walch includes an astonishing amount of circular imagery in his script. There are references to doughnuts, life savers, bagels, silver dollars, wedding bands, and that aforementioned inner tube. But the story does not go round and round; rather it centers on an important message of how two and plenty more wrongs don't nearly make a right."

Peter Filichia, The Star-Ledger (New Jersey)

"Texas-bred playwright John Walch has seen the whole meaning of Life Itself in The Circumference of a Squirrel... Squirrel is as small and speedy as its namesake..."

Tom Chesek, Asbury Park Press

"Walch's intricate script...proceed[s] like an intimate storytelling session...alternately entertaining and heartbreaking... Circumference of a Squirrel may at times seem like nothing more than a getting-to-know-you chat, but you'll leave feeling as if you've just caught up with an old friend."

Tricia Olszewski, Washington Post

"Poignant and telling at moments, the monologues are nonetheless nothing short of laugh-out-loud funny. From the origins of Rodentaphobia -- the fear of squirrels -- to Chester's final revelation about himself after his father's death, the introspective play keeps the audience entertained, light-hearted and giggly."

Lisa Gauthier, NUVO (Indianapolis)

"Walch graces Circumference with essential humanity, incisive humor, and a trail of spherical themes. He writes with assurance and quiet beauty... Circumference of a Squirrel marks the official anointment of author Walch as the next big thing from Austin."

Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman

"Fresh and absorbing... [Walch] gives us Sisyphus in a squirrel...and as we walk with Chester on his particular journey, we find it has not only the power to entrance us but the power to move us as well."

Robert Faires, The Austin Chronicle

"Warm, edgy and ultimately thought-provoking...an artful blend of the comic and cosmic."

Ed Kauffman, Hollywood Reporter

Production History

MAR 20, 2025 - MAR 22, 2025
Knock And Run Theatre
Newcastle, NSW Australia
Knock And Run Theatre Newcastle, NSW Australia
MAY 11, 2021 - MAY 13, 2021
UGA Dept of Theatre & Film Studies
Athens, GA United States
UGA Dept of Theatre & Film Studies Athens, GA United States
APR 09, 2021 - APR 24, 2021
Performing Artists Collective Alliance
Erie, PA United States
Performing Artists Collective Alliance Erie, PA United States
JUL 24, 2019 - JUL 27, 2019
Knock And Run Theatre
Newcastle, NSW Australia
Knock And Run Theatre Newcastle, NSW Australia
JAN 13, 2017 - FEB 13, 2017
Greenhouse Theater Center
Chicago, IL United States
Greenhouse Theater Center Chicago, IL United States
FEB 04, 2015 - FEB 06, 2015
Carleton College
Northfield, MN United States
Carleton College Northfield, MN United States
JAN 15, 2015 - JAN 17, 2015
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI United States
Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI United States
NOV 17, 2012 - NOV 17, 2012
Savannah Stage Company
Savannah, GA United States
Savannah Stage Company Savannah, GA United States
APR 30, 2011 - AUG 13, 2011
Barter Theatre
Abingdon, VA United States
Barter Theatre Abingdon, VA United States
SEP 16, 2010 - OCT 03, 2010
Aurora Theatre
Lawrenceville, GA United States
Aurora Theatre Lawrenceville, GA United States
NOV 06, 2009 - NOV 07, 2009
The SEED Theatre Project
Dayton, OH United States
The SEED Theatre Project Dayton, OH United States
AUG 04, 2009 - AUG 22, 2009
Eckerd College
St. Petersburg, FL United States
Eckerd College St. Petersburg, FL United States
DEC 04, 2008 - DEC 14, 2008
Eckerd College
St Petersburg, FL United States
Eckerd College St Petersburg, FL United States
APR 24, 2008 - MAY 11, 2008
Riverside Theatre
Vero Beach, FL United States
Riverside Theatre Vero Beach, FL United States
DEC 07, 2007 - DEC 15, 2007
Bastrop Opera House
Austin, TX United States
Bastrop Opera House Austin, TX United States
NOV 03, 2007 - NOV 10, 2007
Bastrop Opera House
Bastrop, TX United States
Bastrop Opera House Bastrop, TX United States
AUG 02, 2007 - AUG 12, 2007
Metro Productions
Minneapolis, MN United States
Metro Productions Minneapolis, MN United States
APR 12, 2007 - APR 12, 2007
Bastrop Opera House
Austin, TX United States
Bastrop Opera House Austin, TX United States
MAR 16, 2007 - MAR 23, 2007
Bastrop Opera House
Austin, TX United States
Bastrop Opera House Austin, TX United States
JAN 01, 2007 - JUN 30, 2007
Bastrop Opera House
Austin, TX United States
Bastrop Opera House Austin, TX United States
OCT 26, 2006 - OCT 26, 2006
Bastrop Opera House
Austin, TX United States
Bastrop Opera House Austin, TX United States
SEP 14, 2006 - SEP 30, 2006
Bastrop Opera House
Bastrop, TX United States
Bastrop Opera House Bastrop, TX United States
MAY 26, 2006 - JUN 11, 2006
Shadowland Theatre
Ellenville, NY United States
Shadowland Theatre Ellenville, NY United States
FEB 23, 2006 - FEB 26, 2006
Texas Lutheran University
Seguin, TX United States
Texas Lutheran University Seguin, TX United States
NOV 19, 2004 - DEC 18, 2004
Kitchen Dog Theater
Dallas, TX United States
Kitchen Dog Theater Dallas, TX United States
OCT 28, 2004 - NOV 14, 2004
Playwrights Theatre Of New Jersey
Madison, NJ United States
Playwrights Theatre Of New Jersey Madison, NJ United States
JUL 16, 2004 - JUL 20, 2004
Craig And Company
Oceanside, CA United States
Craig And Company Oceanside, CA United States
FEB 06, 2004 - FEB 22, 2004
No Strings Theatre Company
Las Cruces, NM United States
No Strings Theatre Company Las Cruces, NM United States
JAN 22, 2004 - FEB 15, 2004
New Jersey Repertory Company
Long Branch, NJ United States
New Jersey Repertory Company Long Branch, NJ United States
NOV 27, 2003 - DEC 21, 2003
Phoenix Theatre
Indianapolis, IN United States
Phoenix Theatre Indianapolis, IN United States
NOV 07, 2003 - NOV 09, 2003
Charter Theatre
Washington, DC United States
Charter Theatre Washington, DC United States
OCT 15, 2003 - NOV 02, 2003
Charter Theatre
Washington, DC United States
Charter Theatre Washington, DC United States
FEB 12, 2002 - MAR 17, 2002
Urban Stages
New York, NY United States
Urban Stages New York, NY United States
JUN 01, 2001 - JUN 30, 2001
Mark Taper Forum
Los Angeles, CA United States
Mark Taper Forum Los Angeles, CA United States
APR 01, 2001 - MAY 30, 2001
Zachary Scott Theatre Center
Austin, TX United States
Zachary Scott Theatre Center Austin, TX United States
MAR 20, 2025 - MAR 22, 2025
Knock And Run Theatre
Newcastle, NSW Australia
Knock And Run Theatre Newcastle, NSW Australia
JAN 13, 2017 - FEB 13, 2017
Greenhouse Theater Center
Chicago, IL United States
Greenhouse Theater Center Chicago, IL United States
NOV 17, 2012 - NOV 17, 2012
Savannah Stage Company
Savannah, GA United States
Savannah Stage Company Savannah, GA United States
APR 30, 2011 - AUG 13, 2011
Barter Theatre
Abingdon, VA United States
Barter Theatre Abingdon, VA United States
SEP 16, 2010 - OCT 03, 2010
Aurora Theatre
Lawrenceville, GA United States
Aurora Theatre Lawrenceville, GA United States
AUG 04, 2009 - AUG 22, 2009
Eckerd College
St. Petersburg, FL United States
Eckerd College St. Petersburg, FL United States
DEC 04, 2008 - DEC 14, 2008
Eckerd College
St Petersburg, FL United States
Eckerd College St Petersburg, FL United States
APR 24, 2008 - MAY 11, 2008
Riverside Theatre
Vero Beach, FL United States
Riverside Theatre Vero Beach, FL United States
MAY 26, 2006 - JUN 11, 2006
Shadowland Theatre
Ellenville, NY United States
Shadowland Theatre Ellenville, NY United States
NOV 19, 2004 - DEC 18, 2004
Kitchen Dog Theater
Dallas, TX United States
Kitchen Dog Theater Dallas, TX United States
OCT 28, 2004 - NOV 14, 2004
Playwrights Theatre Of New Jersey
Madison, NJ United States
Playwrights Theatre Of New Jersey Madison, NJ United States
JAN 22, 2004 - FEB 15, 2004
New Jersey Repertory Company
Long Branch, NJ United States
New Jersey Repertory Company Long Branch, NJ United States
NOV 27, 2003 - DEC 21, 2003
Phoenix Theatre
Indianapolis, IN United States
Phoenix Theatre Indianapolis, IN United States
NOV 07, 2003 - NOV 09, 2003
Charter Theatre
Washington, DC United States
Charter Theatre Washington, DC United States
OCT 15, 2003 - NOV 02, 2003
Charter Theatre
Washington, DC United States
Charter Theatre Washington, DC United States
FEB 12, 2002 - MAR 17, 2002
Urban Stages
New York, NY United States
Urban Stages New York, NY United States
JUN 01, 2001 - JUN 30, 2001
Mark Taper Forum
Los Angeles, CA United States
Mark Taper Forum Los Angeles, CA United States
APR 01, 2001 - MAY 30, 2001
Zachary Scott Theatre Center
Austin, TX United States
Zachary Scott Theatre Center Austin, TX United States

Awards (2)

Austin Critics Table, "Outstanding Original Script," 2001

Austin Critics Table, "Best Production of A Drama," 2001