Cue the Comedies: How To Choose a Comedy Your Audiences Will Love
- Susan Parker
- Aug 10
- 7 min read
by Susan Parker
Looking for a Comedy for Your Season? It Doesn’t Have to Be Hard.
Key Takeaways for Busy Theatre People
The funniest script is not always the best fit for your theatre.
A strong comedy should match your audience, actors, budget, stage, volunteers, and season goals.
Production needs matter. The chaos should happen onstage, not backstage.
The best comedy is often the one patrons cannot stop talking about.
Use available resources — play pages, production notes, licensing information, and direct contact — before making a final decision.
I wish it was as easy as saying, “Choose a Parker Play.” (In my heart I know you wouldn’t be disappointed, but I understand you need more than my word.) If choosing the right comedy were easy, every theatre would have a hit every season. But perhaps, I can make the search a bit easier.
It all begins asking yourself what tops your wish list?
A play your audience will rave about?
Terrific roles your actors will fight over?
A set that doesn't require a second mortgage?
Strong ticket sales?
Happy volunteers?
Season placement?
Maybe all of the above?
I imagine that for a director, choosing a comedy must feel a bit like standing in the cereal aisle at the grocery store. There are lots of good choices! But with so many choices, how do you pick the right one that ticks off all the boxes on your list?
If only choosing a comedy could be as simple as, "That's the one! We laughed ourselves silly during the reading!" But you all know that choosing a comedy isn’t just about finding the funniest play.
I can almost hear some of you saying, “DUH, of course that’s the conundrum. She's not the one trying to fill seats, balance a budget, find volunteers, market the plays, find six men who can all make rehearsals, and somehow convince actors that "off book" isn't merely a suggestion.
Guilty as charged...sort of.
So let’s break it down, starting with the first step you need to consider.
Start with the Experience You Want Your Audience To Have.
Here’s where I fit in. I would never pretend that I know more than the director or producer about picking a season, but I do know about comedy. The fact is I write comedies that are designed to be producer and director friendly with real production life in mind. You know - manageable casts, practical sets, and minimal production requirements for companies working with limited resources, tight timelines, or stages that have to do a lot with a little.
As a Parker Plays Playwright (Say that 10 times fast) with a catalogue of 15 audience-tested comedies that have had over 1,700 productions world wide and going strong, I’ve learned that a successful comedy is never an accident - and neither is choosing one for your theatre. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with numerous theatres whose directors have shared with me what they think about when choosing a comedy.
To begin the journey, first think about what kind of experience you want your audience to have. Should they leave discussing life situations or simply wondering why they laughed so hard?
There's room for both in the theatre. Sometimes people crave a message. Sometimes they just need a joyful escape from the headlines, the bills, and the endless to-do lists. (If you’re looking for a joyful escape you’re my kind of theatre!)
Every theatre has its own personality... and so does its audience. (You know that better than I do.)
When you spend those precious five minutes of yours, listening to your audience, giggling politely, laughing until they snort, or practically becoming part of the cast, that will tell you exactly what kind of comedy they love:
Sophisticated wit
Outrageous farce
Romantic comedy
A mystery sprinkled with laughs
Holiday hijinks
Or do they simply want two glorious hours of escaping the real world? (Personally, that's my favorite, but I’m slightly biased.)
Whatever makes your patrons line up to buy a ticket, laugh out loud at the show, and tell their friends to go see this play, it’s the right show.
“We got rave reviews on Hotbed Hotel-- Many patrons said ‘It was our best show ever!’ We had chosen Hotbed Hotel for our 10 Year Anniversary performance and it was a huge success! We sold more tickets faster than any other production we have done.” --Kristeen Skeels, Staged Right Productions, Alberta, Canada
Choosing a comedy isn’t just about finding the funniest play.
Next, remember: the best comedy for your season isn’t necessarily the cleverest script, the latest Broadway release, or the show every other theatre is producing. It may not even be the “safe” choice with a familiar title.
Over the years, directors have shared with me that the best comedy is the one audiences are still laughing about—and enthusiastically recommending—long after the curtain comes down.
After all, there's no marketing campaign quite as powerful as an audience member saying:
“Wonderful afternoon at the Bell Tower, don’t miss Sandy Toes & Salty Kisses, it’s an absolute treat…one laugh after another!!! xoxo” --M. Field
When researching a comedy, pay close attention to what actors, audiences, and directors have said about the play. Their comments can tell you a great deal about how well the comedy works onstage, how much fun the cast has performing it, and—most importantly—how audiences respond.
If you can’t find reviews or testimonials, don’t hesitate to ask the playwright. Somehow, I’m positive they’ll have plenty ready and will be delighted to share them! Those firsthand reactions can be one of the best indicators of a comedy’s true audience appeal. For a shameless example:
"Sandy Toes & Salty Kisses was one of the most well-received shows we have done in a long time. SOLD OUT all performances. Audiences loved it, but even more importantly, the director, actors, and technicians all had a great, fun time producing it!” --Duncanville Community Theatre, TX
After all, if actors enjoy performing it, directors speak highly of producing it, and audiences leave the theatre laughing and telling their friends, chances are your box office will adore it, too!
Before You Say “I Do” to a Comedy
Finally, consider the practical side of the production: Does your theatre have the cast, set, costumes, technical resources, budget, and rehearsal time to bring the play to life successfully?
If I were to compare choosing a comedy to online dating, the script would be the first impression—but the production needs are what would determine whether the relationship actually works. Most comedies look wonderful on paper. The real question is: Is this a great match—or are there potential deal-breakers hiding in the production requirements.
It might be the budget, the lack of available actors, limited rehearsal time, a tiny backstage, or maybe your set crew consists of three dedicated volunteers and someone's uncle with a cordless drill.
Every comedy asks something different of your theatre. Using available resources can help determine if there are any production requirements that might keep this promising relationship from working. Look for production notes, licensing and casting information or playwright contact (which is always helpful.)
A little homework before committing can ensure this comedy is truly a perfect match for your theatre.
A Little Less Guesswork. A Lot More Laughter.
If you're a director or producer who believes every season deserves a comedy, (and hopefully one created simply for the joy of laughter), then we're already speaking the same language. And if, like me, you believe the best sound effect in live theatre isn't thunder or applause—it's an audience laughing together—then you know exactly what we're all trying to create.
Programming a successful comedy is a lot like directing a farce. Timing, teamwork, chemistry, and preparation all have to work together. Miss one ingredient, and even the funniest script can struggle. Get them all working in harmony, and the audience won't stop laughing.
At Parker Plays, we recognize these challenges and provide directors and producers a resource page and guide to help make sure those demands don't become the biggest source of drama. (And of course, I am only an email away with those testimonials.) My belief is that the only chaos your audience should notice is the kind written into the script.
Here's hoping your next comedy leaves audiences laughing all the way to the parking lot... and already looking forward to your next production.
See you at the theatre!
P.S. Getting the actors off book? That's still between you and your cast. 🎭
BONUS TAKEAWAYS
Parker Play Catalogue: Compare cast sizes, production needs, plot summaries, audience appeal, photos, licensing links, and perusal script information.
For Directors & Producers: Find practical tips, production considerations, licensing information, and FAQs.
About the Playwrights: Learn the story behind Parker Plays, Susan Parker, and Michael Parker.
Cue the Comedies Blog: Read behind-the-scenes stories, theatre insights, humor, and ideas for choosing a play.
Contact Susan: Ask questions about casting, season fit, staging farce, or complimentary perusal scripts.
FUN FACTS
My Thoughts: Writing a two-hour comedy? Challenging and fun. Writing a blog? Now that’s another story.
Review: Kevin Knuth knew he wanted to direct Who's In Bed With the Butler? as soon as he read the script. “I like laughing,” he says. “But it's incredibly rare for me to read something and laugh out loud. When I read this script, I was literally laughing out loud.” The Journal Gazette
Our most-licensed international play is The Amorous Ambassador. 2 Acts, 2 hrs + Int. / 4M/4F / The Ambassador's Home
Our most romantic comedy world wide is Sandy Toes & Salty Kisses. 2 Acts / 2-3M/4F / 2hrs+Int. / Present Day / Beach Hotel
I’d genuinely love to hear from you and help support your production in any way I can. Whether you have questions about casting, choosing the right play for your season, staging farce, or simply want to chat comedy, I’m always happy to connect. – Susan
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