And one more play for good measure! Just in time for the new school year, Pioneer Drama Service has released my airport comedy, 30 Minutes Till Boarding. It's my 32nd play with them and 38th play overall.
Developing the play has been a long journey with several layovers, starting all the way back in April 2025 when Belmont Day School in Massachusetts commissioned me to write a third full-length comedy for them. The play finally premiered to lavish praise in March of this year. And after an exhausting array of edits to make the play more producible, we ended up with what I hope will be my magnum opus.
I mean, this play is huge, though not nearly as huge as when the school performed it with a cast of 40. It has now been slimmed down to a slightly more svelte 36, and you can get it down to 30 by cutting two of the storylines (and the associated dance number!) as spelled out in the production notes.
Be aware that nearly all of these people are onstage at a couple key points in the story, but the script includes some very useful suggestions to make things more manageable.
But hey, at least the set is relatively simple, requiring a gate counter, a departure sign, and yeah, a whole bunch of chairs and/or tables.
Here's the synopsis:
The snow is coming down fast and furious at the airport, but the intrepid gate agents for Sunshine Airways Flight 901 to Rome assure the waiting passengers that the plane will depart as scheduled. Alas, the flight is delayed later and later until finally the flight is canceled, upsetting the plans of passengers and crew alike.
The folks stuck at the gate are an eclectic bunch. There's the therapist taking her fear-of-flying group on their first flight. Imogene is a newlywed who learns that her new mother-in-law is coming along on the honeymoon. A self-absorbed pop star is horrified to discover that nobody recognizes her anymore... and that she has to fly coach! There's also the hilarity of a cocky, young co-pilot trying to hide from the flight attendant he ghosted on a date, and the sweetness of a kindly old couple who accosts everyone they meet with pictures of their new grandbaby.
Airport delays might not seem the subject of comedy these days, yet Todd (that's me!) creates plenty of both hilarious and heartwarming moments in this entertaining ensemble piece. With these rich characters plus many more, this high-flying comedy gives every actor a chance to soar!
I just know you're going to love this one. For a free script sample as well as complete ordering information, visit the play's webpage.
Buckle your seat belts! Sure there may be some turbulence on this flight, but you know there's going to be a soft and very happy landing.
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