Don’t Give Up Because
Inspired by the screwball movie comedies of the 1930s and ‘40s, Don’t Give Up Because tells the story of Faye Burntwhistle, a cocktail waitress who is determined to marry a wealthy man. Faye falls in love with the heir to an Italian family fortune, but because he fears that women only love him for his money, she concocts a fiction that she is also an heir to an enormous family fortune. She is surprised when she gets the news that he’s coming to visit her “mansion” in Indianapolis and meet her well-to-do “family.” So Faye recruits several members of the Dry Creek Civic Theatre to impersonate her family, and they are all convincing enough, at least at first. But as the evening progresses, and wine bottles are emptied, the improvisation goes off the rails. Suspicions arise and the conflict escalates but despite an unexpected twist, an improvised romance becomes the real thing in the end.
Productions
Behind The Scenes
With playwright Michael Clossin
What inspired me to write the play?
The wit, physicality and deadpan humor of the screwball comedy movies of the 1920’s to 1940’s like "Bringing Up Baby," "My Man Godfrey" and "His Girl Friday."
What’s my favorite line or character, why?
Webb, the radio repairman/civic theater actor, who is determined to milk his supporting part for all it’s worth. His delusional self-confidence makes me laugh.
Where’d characters come from? Based on people I know?
The characters are probably exaggerations of people I’ve known but the characters they play “within the play” are typical screwball comedy types like the “tycoon father,” “the rebellious daughter,” “the spoiled ingenue,” “the eccentric butler,” etc.
What did I try to achieve?
I wanted to write a fast-paced romantic comedy full of quirky characters in oddball situations.
Anything else?
I think the play could be a challenging and enjoyable experience for actors at all levels, from high school to professional. An audience doesn’t have to be familiar with screwball movies or the time period in order to enjoy the show.