John Forbes Richardson, a California native, is a graduate of the University of Southern California. John specializes in writing comedies and is no doubt currently hard at work adding to the growing list. John can be contacted at JRicha4944@aol.com.
John’s work:
10-Minute Plays
“Gamesters”: It’s another slow day at the game shop and Shawn and Mindy are engaged in a battle royale at the gaming table. It’s the ideal afternoon and the only thing that could ruin it–an inquisitive customer! 2M/1F.
“Juice Stand”: Boy meets Girl at bus stop. Boy seeks to impress. Girl ready for success. Nothing stands in their way but a loud insistent street vendor! (Produced: STAGEStheatre, June 2007. Also directed and acted in.) 2M/1F.
“The Once and Future Kings”: When veteran Elvis tribute performer Jimmy hurts his foot before a gig, fellow DJ Kevin steps in Jimmy’s shoes to save the day. But Jimmy doesn’t like the idea of sharing the spotlight with “the new kid.” And Jimmy’s prepared to take on Kevin, Kevin’s tipsy girlfriend, and her son to keep Kevin from stealing his thunder! 3M/2F.
“Waiting for Dodo”: Two hapless gents wander about on a moor waiting for a special personage to put in an appearance. Along comes a young maiden — close enough! Philosophies, sentiments, and yuletide traditions are discussed–and discarded in favor of puns and parodies! (Produced: Cabrillo Playhouse, December 2008.) 2M/1F.
“Where’s the Beef?”: Boy takes Girl on date to steakhouse. Girl is vegetarian. Girl is also unused to Apple Martinis. Add smarmy waiter … stir vigorously! 2M/1F.
“Who Wants to Be a Star?”: While dining at a trendy Hollywood restaurant, Jimmy is determined to show his star-struck girlfriend that he’s not fan of the famous when two celebrities sit next to them. Speaking out against the cult of celebrity, Jimmy risks his relationship to make a point but when push comes to shove Jimmy puts his foot in his mouth! (Produced: Rude Guerilla Theater, Staged Reading September 2008.) 3M/2F.
One-Act Plays
“Peace on Planet Earth”: Meet the Mooneys, they’re out of this world! Mom and Dad — Cosmo and Aurora — along with their daughter Haley travel all the way from … uh, Canada to drop in for a surprise visit on their son Jack away at college during the Christmas break. But Jack is not so excited about his folks’ unannounced visit. He’ll have a lot of explaining to do to his family — and his roommates, Jill and Bob. Like, what’s that spaceship doing in the backyard?! (Produced: STAGEStheatre, November & December 2007. Also directed.) 3M/3F.
“Risk”: Roommates and fellow board game fiends Rob, Will and Mary concoct a scheme to become famous by “creating” Rob’s Confederate ancestor’s memoirs. Complications intrude on the three roommates plans in the form of a patronizing City Mayor, a sharp newspaper reporter and extremely interested new-found relatives from North Carolina! 4M/3F.
Full-length plays
“Dumb Luck”: While aspiring writers, poets, musicians, comic book freaks and a mysterious stranger congregate at a coffeehouse and re-imagine themselves as notorious celebrities and superheroes, a disaffected young writer finally meets her match! 3M/2F.
“Jungle Jim Swings Again”: Things heat up for ex-TV star Evan Starret when he’s cast in a big Hollywood movie. And, when his ex-wife, an old flame, a rising ingenue and two faux talent agents crash his private house party, Evan is the one who’ll finally have to pay the piper! 3M/3F.
“Nothing Doing”: Getting through the dress rehearsal of the World War Two farce “Desert Heat” is nothing compared to the disaster its squabbling cast will face on the show’s Opening Night performance when the female lead gets drunk and the special effects operator abandons ship at the intermission! 4M/2F.
“Presidential Hopeless”: Believing that ‘he governs best who governs least,’ President Roy Ubu soon finds himself the target of a series of elaborate plots to force him out of office devised by the ambitious Secretary of State and his mistress, the Vice President. Finding an unexpected ally in a plucky White House maid, President Ubu inadvertently manages to foil scheme after scheme with hilarious results! (Produced: STAGEStheatre, July & August 2009.) 4M/4F.
“Primate Lives”: Years after their divorce, a fatally attracted psychic medium and a spaced out Ufologist meet again, along with their new significant others, at a New Age Symposium held in the Loon Creek Hotel. The star-crossed forecast predicts a high probability of smarmy repartee with a slight chance a of Bigfoot sighting! 3M/2F.
Spec Script
“My Name is Earl” — “Pioneer Daze”: (Maybe one day … My fingers are crossed!)
