A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Where There's No Will

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  2w, 6m

It’s a 1930s everyone-wants-the-money play: There's a will. It's not signed, so the direct descendant gets all the money... even though that wasn't the intent of the deceased. But what if they believe she isn’t dead after all?

Where There's No Will

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 6m
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Farce
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences, Adult, Senior, Pre-Teen (Age 11 - 13), Teen (Age 14 - 18)

Details

Summary

When an old woman dies without signing a will, her greedy daughter and son-in-law expect to inherit everything. But when it turns out that Mom was simply in a coma, they face a dilemma: If they want the money, they're going to have to kill her off before she can bequeath her fortune to someone else!

HAL WILSON – About 50, a rather aimless delivery truck driver. Although his dream is to own the business, he doesn’t really want to do much work.
EMMA WILSON – About 45, a harried homemaker who’s grown very tired of Hal’s act. She is a doer and will undertake unpleasant tasks.
MR. JACOBS – About 50, a proper, upstanding, educated man – all that Hal is not. Also rather spineless.
NICK – Hal’s friend, 40s, a transplanted New Yorker and a two-bit criminal... with a few mob ties.
AUNT LIZ – 75 years old, tough as a nail but respectable
PLUMBER – A Swedish immigrant and a decent person.
DOC MORRIS* – Very old doctor who’s forgotten much of what he learned in medical school, but he doesn’t seem to notice. Known as a buffoon to everyone, he’s still treated respectfully, and his advice is met with a courteous nod and unbelieving smile
DOM* – About 45, real wiseguy with a thick New York mob accent

*The actor playing DOC MORRIS can double as DOM.

The actor playing DOC MORRIS can double as DOM.

  • Time Period 1940s / WWII, 1930s
  • Setting 1930s Albany, NY. Entire play is in the living room.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
  • Additional Features Physical Comedy
  • Duration 90 minutes
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

Videos

  • Where There's No Will - Part 1 youtube thumbnail

    Where There's No Will - Part 1

Music

  • Musical Style N/A (Not a musical)
  • Vocal DemandsN/A (Not a musical)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $110 per performance

Add-Ons

Take a look below at how you can enhance your show!

Authors

Leon Kaye

Leon Kaye has written several short plays published with Brooklyn/Heuer and Playscripts. His three published full-lengths are with the Samuel French imprint of Concord Theatricals. Check out these Breaking Character articles: Murder With Grace: A Jane Austen Inspiration and B ...

View full profile

Community

Now Playing

Community Experiences