The Ransom of Red Chief
Based on the story by O. Henry. Adapted by Anne Coulter Martens.
Product Code: R11000
Full-length Play
Comedy
Cast size: 5m., 9w.
Livestream and Record & Stream Rights Available
Rights and availability
This title can be licensed and sold throughout the World.
* Please note the royalty rate listed is the minimum royalty rate per performance. The actual royalty rate will be determined upon completion of a royalty application.
Synopsis
Based on O'Henry's humorous classic about Bill and Sam who make the mistake of kidnapping a brat known as "Red." Brought up by a skinflint uncle and mean housekeeper, Red gladly leaves with the two strangers. The kidnappers are delighted but it is their last moment of peace. Red—or Red Chief, as he prefers to be called—now has two full-time playmates and keeps them hopping. While Bill sets about collecting the ransom, Sam tries to entertain Red Chief. It's tiring work and, finally, Sam's patience exhausted, he makes the mistake of getting Red mad. Red Chief's vengeance soon has Sam calling for help. Never were two hapless criminals so bitterly taken advantage of. Instead of a handsome ransom, they're going to have to pay what little they have for the privilege of returning the so-called victim.
Notes
Livestream and Record & Stream Rights Available
Details
- Status In stock
- Type of Show Full-length Play
- Product Code R11000
- Minimum Cast Size 14
- Pages of Dialogue 58
- Min. Royalty Rate $90.00/perf
- Approx. Run Time 90 min
- Staging Simple ext. and int. sets.
Categories
- Target Audience Young Audiences | Middle School | Family (all ages)
- Performing Group Middle School | High School | College Theatre | Community Theatre | Professional Theatre
- Genre Comedy
- ISBN(13) 9780871294005
Customer Reviews
All three performances were sold out. We had to add a matinee in order to accommodate the demand for tickets. The play brought our community together to experience a wonderful production. They are clamoring for more.
This play is appropriate for upper-elementary students. We had three strong male actors, but the female roles are great, too. A good show when a large cast is needed.
This play was a ton of laughs, during rehearsals as well as performances.
Great adaptation of the short story. Easy to stage and costume. Fun for all audiences. Great opportunities for novice performers to develop characterization skills.
Provides opportunities for actors with a wide range of acting abilities. A much-loved showÑwe've done it twice now and will probably repeat in in the future.
Once the students got into this old-fashioned slapstick comedy, they loved it! We received rave reviews from the audience as there was never a dull moment. Comments include: "Best funny play I've seen in a long time," even a radio blurb about the excellent performance. Very successful!
Hints, Tips, and Tricks
Get plenty of stage hands and set designers/construction workers as this is about the most challenging task of the production.
There are lots of propsÑgood to list and get head start on them from the "get-go." We did the play in 1900-1910 dress and were able to buy "looks like the time period" costumes at St. Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army and Goodwill.
Also By These Authors
Mark Richardson, Bay Tree Council for the Performing Arts, Red Bay, Ala.