Love Child

Love Child by Robert Stanton, Daniel Jenkins

(0)
Productions (11)
Comedy
|
75 - 85 minutes
2 M,  (2-13 actors possible: 0-5 W, 0-8 M)
Content Notes: Adult language.
Set: Six chairs.

Joel, a neurotic, down-on-his-heels actor/playwright, is opening his new adaptation of an obscure Euripides comedy in a smelly former sausage factory in Brooklyn. Unknown to him, there's a big-time Hollywood casting director in the house, as well as his crazy mother (who's also his agent) and his crazy aunt (who's really his mother). When one of the actors takes sleeping pills and passes out mid-performance, and the leading lady quits, Joel's relatives leap over the footlights to rescue the show. Realities collide, and his family's wild stories out-Greek the script, in a horrifically hilarious night of truth-telling. Just two actors can play all of the outlandish characters in this stripped-down, high-octane farce.

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $85
Standard Edition $13.99
Stage Manager Edition $24.99

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

Play Details

Joel, a neurotic, down-on-his-heels actor/playwright, is opening his new adaptation of an obscure Euripides comedy in a smelly former sausage factory in Brooklyn. Unknown to him, there's a big-time Hollywood casting director in the house, as well as his crazy mother (who's also his agent) and his crazy aunt (who's really his mother). When one of the actors takes sleeping pills and passes out mid-performance, and the leading lady quits, Joel's relatives leap over the footlights to rescue the show. Realities collide, and his family's wild stories out-Greek the script, in a horrifically hilarious night of truth-telling. Just two actors can play all of the outlandish characters in this stripped-down, high-octane farce.

  • Comedy
  • |
  • 75 - 85 minutes
  • 2 M,  (2-13 actors possible: 0-5 W, 0-8 M)
  • Content Notes: Adult language.
  • Set: Six chairs.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-174-4

Published Reviews

"Rollicking! Delicious! Half the fun is seeing if you can keep up...!"

The New York Times

"A sophisticated story of betrayal, deceit and love. Daniel Jenkins and Robert Stanton have given themselves an enormous challenge: They play all the characters in this backstage farce. Their bodies, voices and rubbery faces are the only tools they use to create an entire world. Their performances have the same deranged wit as their writing."

Variety

"Love Child is birthed before our eyes in a labor of love.... Two protean actors play all 20 or so roles in a frenetic backstage farce that would leave a full cast panting for breath. Adorably madcap...an even more compressed version of The 39 Steps (The 12 Steps, maybe?)... Jenkins and Stanton are always fun to watch and envy: These are two talented bastards!"

Time Out New York

"Daniel Jenkins and Robert Stanton expertly play about twelve characters between them in this bare-bones but hilarious farce!"

The New Yorker

"Explosive! 85 frenzied minutes of pure silliness! You probably won't have to take your mood elevators after seeing them!"

Village Voice

"An extraordinary pearl. Jenkins and Stanton make the versatile shape-shifters of The 39 Steps look like pikers. The overlapping plots are so ornate and clever, the performances (under Carl Forsman's nimble direction) are so appealing, that Love Child invites repeat viewings. Once your ribs recover, you may want to treat yourself again."

Theatre News Online

"It's difficult to find nouns to describe Love Child. Adjectives are easier--hilarious, frenetic, and brilliant are just a few which come immediately to mind. I doubt that there are many plays running in New York which deliver such satisfaction in such a short period of time. I've seen Love Child twice now, and feel like I could go back again and again, always finding something new!"

Stage and Cinema

Production History

MAY 10, 2022 - MAY 21, 2022
Dramatic Stuff
London, United Kingdom
Dramatic Stuff London, United Kingdom
AUG 05, 2015 - AUG 08, 2015
Breckenridge Backstage Theatre
Breckenridge, CO United States
Breckenridge Backstage Theatre Breckenridge, CO United States
MAR 27, 2014 - MAR 30, 2014
Muskingum University
New Concord, OH United States
Muskingum University New Concord, OH United States
JUL 27, 2012 - JUL 28, 2012
Avenue Theater
Denver, CO United States
Avenue Theater Denver, CO United States
JUN 08, 2012 - JUL 21, 2012
Avenue Theater
Denver, CO United States
Avenue Theater Denver, CO United States
FEB 15, 2012 - MAR 18, 2012
North Carolina Stage Company Theatre
Asheville, NC United States
North Carolina Stage Company Theatre Asheville, NC United States
NOV 04, 2010 - NOV 21, 2010
Southern Rep at Le Chat Noir
New Orleans, LA United States
Southern Rep at Le Chat Noir New Orleans, LA United States
JUN 05, 2010 - JUL 25, 2010
B Street Theatre
Sacramento, CA United States
B Street Theatre Sacramento, CA United States
OCT 31, 2009 - JAN 03, 2010
New World Stages
New York, NY United States
New World Stages New York, NY United States
OCT 12, 2008 - NOV 19, 2008
Primary Stages
New York, NY United States
Primary Stages New York, NY United States
JUL 01, 2005 - JUL 03, 2005
New York Stage and Film Company and The Powerhouse Theater
Vassar College, NY United States
New York Stage and Film Company and The Powerhouse Theater Vassar College, NY United States
No upcoming productions.
JUL 27, 2012 - JUL 28, 2012
Avenue Theater
Denver, CO United States
Avenue Theater Denver, CO United States
JUN 08, 2012 - JUL 21, 2012
Avenue Theater
Denver, CO United States
Avenue Theater Denver, CO United States
FEB 15, 2012 - MAR 18, 2012
North Carolina Stage Company Theatre
Asheville, NC United States
North Carolina Stage Company Theatre Asheville, NC United States
NOV 04, 2010 - NOV 21, 2010
Southern Rep at Le Chat Noir
New Orleans, LA United States
Southern Rep at Le Chat Noir New Orleans, LA United States
JUN 05, 2010 - JUL 25, 2010
B Street Theatre
Sacramento, CA United States
B Street Theatre Sacramento, CA United States
OCT 31, 2009 - JAN 03, 2010
New World Stages
New York, NY United States
New World Stages New York, NY United States
OCT 12, 2008 - NOV 19, 2008
Primary Stages
New York, NY United States
Primary Stages New York, NY United States
JUL 01, 2005 - JUL 03, 2005
New York Stage and Film Company and The Powerhouse Theater
Vassar College, NY United States
New York Stage and Film Company and The Powerhouse Theater Vassar College, NY United States