Swimming in the Shallows

Swimming in the Shallows by Adam Bock

(6)
Productions (64)
Comedy
|
80 - 85 minutes
3 W, 3 M, 
Content Notes: Adult content and some mild adult language
Set: Bare stage, or a bench.

Barb finds out that Buddhist monks in Thailand only own eight things -- and wonders if that is all she wants. She starts giving away her things but her husband Bob keeps buying her new ones. Donna wants Carla Carla to marry her, but Carla Carla doesn't like that Donna smokes. Nick meets a shark at the aquarium -- they go on a date to the beach and Nick tries not to sleep with the shark too fast. Plus dream sequences. Plus a wedding.

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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.

Media Gallery

Play Details

Barb finds out that Buddhist monks in Thailand only own eight things -- and wonders if that is all she wants. She starts giving away her things but her husband Bob keeps buying her new ones. Donna wants Carla Carla to marry her, but Carla Carla doesn't like that Donna smokes. Nick meets a shark at the aquarium -- they go on a date to the beach and Nick tries not to sleep with the shark too fast. Plus dream sequences. Plus a wedding.

  • Comedy
  • |
  • 80 - 85 minutes
  • 3 W, 3 M, 
  • Content Notes: Adult content and some mild adult language
  • Set: Bare stage, or a bench.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-067-9

Published Reviews

"Bock tells his fairy tale in a surreal idiom that shows wit and imagination. Working with a loose-limbed structure of episodic scenes, [he] focuses on cute characters caught up in winsome gay love stories deriving considerable charm from their oddball humor."

Marilyn Stasio, Variety

"Filled with highly-idiosyncratic characters and uproarious situations, Bock traverses a contemporary world of gay weddings, heterosexual marriages, and American capitalism."

J. Cooper Robb, TheaterMania

"A delightful work by a writer with a unique voice ... Place Bock's name in your memory bank. He's a real Up-And-Comer."

D. L. Lepidus, The Westsider

"A sweetly absurdist view of life ... By staying resolutely in shallow, frolicsome waters, the play manages to achieve something unexpectedly, if quietly, profound."

David Ng, Village Voice

"A screwy little jewel of a play ... It's as unconventional a conventional look at love as you'll find."

Neil Genzlinger, The New York Times

"Swimming in the Shallows is quirky with a capital Q."

Gordon Cox, Newsday

Production History

FEB 24, 2023 - MAR 05, 2023
Cloverdale Performing Arts Center
Cloverdale, CA United States
 Cloverdale Performing Arts Center Cloverdale, CA United States
MAY 03, 2022 - MAY 03, 2022
Theatre Rhinoceros
San Francisco, CA United States
 Theatre Rhinoceros San Francisco, CA United States
APR 22, 2022 - APR 23, 2022
School of Theatre at OCU
Oklahoma City, OK United States
 School of Theatre at OCU Oklahoma City, OK United States
DEC 09, 2021 - DEC 10, 2021
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY United States
 Skidmore College Saratoga Springs, NY United States
NOV 07, 2019 - NOV 24, 2019
Whim Productions
Kansas City, MO United States
 Whim Productions Kansas City, MO United States
OCT 18, 2019 - NOV 03, 2019
Gallery Theater
McMinnville, OR United States
 Gallery Theater McMinnville, OR United States
JUN 19, 2019 - JUN 20, 2019
Gadabout Theater Company
Nashville, TN United States
 Gadabout Theater Company Nashville, TN United States
APR 11, 2019 - APR 14, 2019
Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte, NC United States
 Queens University of Charlotte Charlotte, NC United States
SEP 08, 2017 - SEP 23, 2017
Alliance Repertory Theatre Co.
Rahway, NJ United States
 Alliance Repertory Theatre Co. Rahway, NJ United States
FEB 04, 2016 - FEB 14, 2016
San Francisco State University, School Of Theatre & Dance
San Francisco, CA United States
 San Francisco State University, School Of Theatre & Dance San Francisco, CA United States
SEP 24, 2015 - SEP 27, 2015
Broken Spectacle Productions
Bowling Green, OH United States
 Broken Spectacle Productions Bowling Green, OH United States
SEP 18, 2015 - SEP 20, 2015
Piven Theatre Workshop
Evanston, IL United States
 Piven Theatre Workshop Evanston, IL United States
APR 29, 2015 - MAY 17, 2015
Kitchen Theatre Company
Ithaca, NY United States
 Kitchen Theatre Company Ithaca, NY United States
APR 11, 2015 - APR 12, 2015
Department of Theatre and Dance
Memphis, TN United States
 Department of Theatre and Dance Memphis, TN United States
NOV 07, 2014 - NOV 11, 2014
Theater Department, Brooklyn College, City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY United States
 Theater Department, Brooklyn College, City University of New York Brooklyn, NY United States
MAY 02, 2014 - MAY 24, 2014
Convergence-Continuum
Cleveland, OH United States
 Convergence-Continuum Cleveland, OH United States
FEB 24, 2014 - MAR 01, 2014
University of South Carolina - Columbia
Columbia, SC United States
 University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SC United States
NOV 14, 2013 - NOV 23, 2013
Ohio University School Of Theater
Athens, OH United States
 Ohio University School Of Theater Athens, OH United States
AUG 17, 2013 - SEP 08, 2013
Theatre Out
Santa Ana, CA United States
 Theatre Out Santa Ana, CA United States
JUL 13, 2013 - AUG 09, 2013
Pier One Theatre
Homer, AK United States
 Pier One Theatre Homer, AK United States
JUN 05, 2013 - JUN 08, 2013
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH United States
 Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH United States
APR 18, 2013 - APR 28, 2013
Dramatic Repertory Company
Portland, ME United States
 Dramatic Repertory Company Portland, ME United States
NOV 30, 2012 - DEC 02, 2012
Quinnipiac University Black Box Theater
Hamden, CT United States
 Quinnipiac University Black Box Theater Hamden, CT United States
OCT 11, 2012 - NOV 02, 2012
Black Hills State University
Spearfish, SD United States
 Black Hills State University Spearfish, SD United States
AUG 17, 2012 - SEP 01, 2012
Back Hand Productions
Concord, CA United States
 Back Hand Productions Concord, CA United States
MAR 08, 2012 - MAR 31, 2012
Salem Theatre Company
Salem, MA United States
 Salem Theatre Company Salem, MA United States
MAR 06, 2012 - MAR 06, 2012
Martin Tanner Productions
Kansas City, MO United States
 Martin Tanner Productions Kansas City, MO United States
OCT 13, 2011 - OCT 22, 2011
Cake Productions
New York, NY United States
 Cake Productions New York, NY United States
SEP 23, 2011 - OCT 02, 2011
Wertheim Black Box Theatre
Miami, FL United States
 Wertheim Black Box Theatre Miami, FL United States
JUN 04, 2011 - JUN 19, 2011
InnerMission Productions
San Diego, CA United States
 InnerMission Productions San Diego, CA United States
APR 28, 2011 - MAY 08, 2011
Odeum Theatre Company
Tulsa, OK United States
 Odeum Theatre Company Tulsa, OK United States
MAR 31, 2011 - APR 16, 2011
Iron Crow Theatre Company
Baltimore, MD United States
 Iron Crow Theatre Company Baltimore, MD United States
NOV 05, 2010 - NOV 06, 2010
Washington College
Chestertown, MD United States
 Washington College Chestertown, MD United States
AUG 12, 2010 - AUG 22, 2010
Ottawa Arts Court Foundation
Ottawa, ON Canada
 Ottawa Arts Court Foundation Ottawa, ON Canada
APR 14, 2010 - APR 18, 2010
In the Light Productions
New York, NY United States
 In the Light Productions New York, NY United States
MAR 10, 2010 - MAR 11, 2010
Macalester College
St. Paul, MN United States
 Macalester College St. Paul, MN United States
NOV 05, 2009 - NOV 14, 2009
Wheaton College
Norton, MA United States
 Wheaton College Norton, MA United States
OCT 15, 2009 - OCT 25, 2009
New Ground Theatre
Davenport, IA United States
 New Ground Theatre Davenport, IA United States
AUG 28, 2009 - AUG 30, 2009
Adam And Cole Productions
New York, NY United States
 Adam And Cole Productions New York, NY United States
APR 23, 2009 - APR 26, 2009
Emory & Henry College Dept. Of Theatre
Emory, VA United States
 Emory & Henry College Dept. Of Theatre Emory, VA United States
JUL 11, 2008 - JUL 26, 2008
Langhorne Players
Newtown, PA United States
 Langhorne Players Newtown, PA United States
FEB 19, 2008 - FEB 23, 2008
University Of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND United States
 University Of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND United States
FEB 06, 2008 - MAR 08, 2008
Catalyst Theater Company
Washington, DC United States
 Catalyst Theater Company Washington, DC United States
AUG 25, 2007 - AUG 25, 2007
North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND United States
 North Dakota State University Fargo, ND United States
MAY 17, 2007 - MAY 27, 2007
Southern Oregon University
Ashland, OR United States
 Southern Oregon University Ashland, OR United States
MAY 15, 2007 - JUN 03, 2007
Invisible Theatre
Tucson, AZ United States
 Invisible Theatre Tucson, AZ United States
APR 20, 2007 - APR 21, 2007
Next Stage Productions C/o Long Wharf Theatre
New Haven, CT United States
 Next Stage Productions C/o Long Wharf Theatre New Haven, CT United States
DEC 07, 2006 - DEC 09, 2006
The Philaletheis Society Of Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY United States
 The Philaletheis Society Of Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY United States
SEP 15, 2006 - OCT 01, 2006
OpenStage Theatre
Fort Collins, CO United States
 OpenStage Theatre Fort Collins, CO United States
JUN 24, 2006 - JUL 15, 2006
Pegasus Theater
Monte Rio, CA United States
 Pegasus Theater Monte Rio, CA United States
FEB 10, 2006 - MAR 06, 2006
Washington Ensemble Theatre
Seattle, WA United States
 Washington Ensemble Theatre Seattle, WA United States
NOV 18, 2005 - DEC 04, 2005
Philadelphia Theatre Workshop
Philadelphia, PA United States
 Philadelphia Theatre Workshop Philadelphia, PA United States
SEP 20, 2005 - OCT 16, 2005
Salt Lake Acting Company
Salt Lake City, UT United States
 Salt Lake Acting Company Salt Lake City, UT United States
JAN 06, 2005 - JAN 23, 2005
Theatrefront
Toronto, ON Canada
 Theatrefront Toronto, ON Canada
JUN 28, 2005 - JUL 17, 2005
Second Stage Uptown
New York, NY United States
 Second Stage Uptown New York, NY United States
JAN 01, 2005 - DEC 31, 2005
Cal Rep Long Beach
Long Beach, CA United States
 Cal Rep Long Beach Long Beach, CA United States
JAN 01, 2004 - DEC 31, 2004
MetaTheatre
Los Angeles, CA United States
 MetaTheatre Los Angeles, CA United States
JAN 01, 2003 - DEC 31, 2003
Kitchen Theater
Ithaca, NY United States
 Kitchen Theater Ithaca, NY United States
JAN 01, 2003 - DEC 31, 2003
Red Barn Theater
Key West, FL United States
 Red Barn Theater Key West, FL United States
JAN 01, 2003 - DEC 31, 2003
Pisces Moon
Santa Cruz, CA United States
 Pisces Moon Santa Cruz, CA United States
JAN 01, 2002 - DEC 31, 2002
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
, Scotland
 Edinburgh Fringe Festival , Scotland
JAN 01, 2001 - DEC 31, 2001
Hen and Chickens
London, United Kingdom
 Hen and Chickens London, United Kingdom
JAN 01, 2000 - DEC 31, 2000
Shotgun Players
San Francisco, CA United States
 Shotgun Players San Francisco, CA United States
JAN 01, 2000 - DEC 31, 2000
Coyote Theater
Boston, MA United States
 Coyote Theater Boston, MA United States
No upcoming productions.
SEP 24, 2015 - SEP 27, 2015
Broken Spectacle Productions
Bowling Green, OH United States
 Broken Spectacle Productions Bowling Green, OH United States
APR 29, 2015 - MAY 17, 2015
Kitchen Theatre Company
Ithaca, NY United States
 Kitchen Theatre Company Ithaca, NY United States
MAY 02, 2014 - MAY 24, 2014
Convergence-Continuum
Cleveland, OH United States
 Convergence-Continuum Cleveland, OH United States
MAR 06, 2012 - MAR 06, 2012
Martin Tanner Productions
Kansas City, MO United States
 Martin Tanner Productions Kansas City, MO United States
AUG 12, 2010 - AUG 22, 2010
Ottawa Arts Court Foundation
Ottawa, ON Canada
 Ottawa Arts Court Foundation Ottawa, ON Canada
OCT 15, 2009 - OCT 25, 2009
New Ground Theatre
Davenport, IA United States
 New Ground Theatre Davenport, IA United States
FEB 06, 2008 - MAR 08, 2008
Catalyst Theater Company
Washington, DC United States
 Catalyst Theater Company Washington, DC United States
MAY 15, 2007 - JUN 03, 2007
Invisible Theatre
Tucson, AZ United States
 Invisible Theatre Tucson, AZ United States
SEP 20, 2005 - OCT 16, 2005
Salt Lake Acting Company
Salt Lake City, UT United States
 Salt Lake Acting Company Salt Lake City, UT United States
JAN 06, 2005 - JAN 23, 2005
Theatrefront
Toronto, ON Canada
 Theatrefront Toronto, ON Canada
JUN 28, 2005 - JUL 17, 2005
Second Stage Uptown
New York, NY United States
 Second Stage Uptown New York, NY United States
JAN 01, 2004 - DEC 31, 2004
MetaTheatre
Los Angeles, CA United States
 MetaTheatre Los Angeles, CA United States
JAN 01, 2003 - DEC 31, 2003
Kitchen Theater
Ithaca, NY United States
 Kitchen Theater Ithaca, NY United States
JAN 01, 2003 - DEC 31, 2003
Red Barn Theater
Key West, FL United States
 Red Barn Theater Key West, FL United States
JAN 01, 2003 - DEC 31, 2003
Pisces Moon
Santa Cruz, CA United States
 Pisces Moon Santa Cruz, CA United States
JAN 01, 2001 - DEC 31, 2001
Hen and Chickens
London, United Kingdom
 Hen and Chickens London, United Kingdom
JAN 01, 2000 - DEC 31, 2000
Shotgun Players
San Francisco, CA United States
 Shotgun Players San Francisco, CA United States
JAN 01, 2000 - DEC 31, 2000
Coyote Theater
Boston, MA United States
 Coyote Theater Boston, MA United States

Awards (5)

Two LA Weekly Nominations

Weissberger Award nominee

Three Bay Area Theater Critic Circle awards, including Best Production, Best Play, Best Ensemble

Clauder Competition winner

GLAAD Award nominee

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