Pizza Man

by Darlene Craviotto

CAUTION: THIS PLAY DEALS WITH MATURE THEMES Comedy / Characters: 1 male, 2 femaleScenery: Interior
It's a hot summer evening and Julie Rodgers has had a bad day. Her boss made a pass at her and she said no so she got a pink slip with her check. Julie's broke and disillusioned, so she drinks and turns on the stereo full blast to make the pain go away. Then her roommate comes home in the midst of an eating frenzy; her boyfriend has gone back to his wife so Alice has turned to food to forget. Julie suggests another way to vent their man caused frustrations: they should pick a guy any guy and rape him. Men have been doing it for years why can't a woman try it? Enter a pizza delivery man who agrees to come in and share a beer with them. The evening gets crazier, wilder, angrier, and very, very funny.
"A darling comedy of the female dilemma that deserves a long life." Dramalogue
"A gem." Variety

Genres: Plays, Theatre, School

90 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Darlene Craviotto has worked professionally in the entertainment industry for over twenty-five years. After starring opposite Don Knotts in the play, A GOOD LOOK AT BONEY KEARNS and co-starring with Bibi Anderson and Kathleen Quinlan in the film, I NEVER PROMISED YOU A ROSE GARDEN, the debilitating effects of a car accident made her switch from acting to screenwriting. She wrote Hallmark Hall of Fame's LOVE IS NEVER SILENT, which won an EMMY for Outstanding Television Movie. Her feature film, SQUANTO: A WARRIOR'S TALE, a Walt Disney Film, garnered a Teddy Award for Best Family Film. Her award-winning play, PIZZA MAN, has been performed all over the world. Ms. Craviotto is married, has two children, and lives in Santa Barbara, California.

http://darlenecraviotto.com/

Reviews

[m · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the funniest plays I've ever read. Not to mention the message behind it!

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this play. I think it deals with an issue that is important, although this is a serio-comedy, so it isn't dealt with all that seriously. However, it points out that things can be the other way.

It does, though, contain one of my favorite monologues. I memorized it for my Theatre Artist Workout as a Theatre Major and I still go over it to make sure I know the piece.

[Amy Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dated and before the Me-too movement so there’s that. Yes some funny moments but executed poorly. Rape is sexual violence; there is nothing funny about it no matter the gender roles. Even the word itself has zero comic potential, no matter the context and especially if so casually tossed around. If you disagree and have a cavalier attitude about rape, I guess this is a play for you…but…yikes. For those of us who have had the misfortune of being a part of that statistic, it’s just offensive. At least it was for me.

[Ashton E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this concept is hilarious and I could visualize this play very easily when I was reading it. The characters don’t feel deep at all to me or nuanced but it is a fun show I think with a lot of expressive scenes.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The play is very enjoyable - the banter feels real and is extremely funny - but the rape premise is far too jarring to fully enjoy.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m just not sure. Feel quite conflicted about the whole thing.

[Briana Burnside · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated everything about this play.

[Lynzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a weird little play. I see what it was trying to do, but I didn't like how it went about it. I did laugh a lot though so really what does that say about me?

[Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most incredible plays I’ve ever read.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I found this story hilarious and I greatly admire plays like this for magnifying few settings (one setting!) with few characters --- the whole topic of rape is a tough one for me -- while it was tackled with successful humor, I question whether it was a tacky way of handling the subject or empowering .... I feel kind of mixed about it... Not sure I would be dying to read it again...

1/26/20

Think it is very tongue in chic & successful in depicting women “taking back the night” so to speak! it’s hilarious!

[Darlene Craviotto · Rating 5 out of 5]

CAUTION: THIS PLAY DEALS WITH MATURE THEMES

PIZZA MAN has played all over the world and been translated into nine different languages. Funny, brash, controversial, and deadly serious. Check out its website for reviews and production photos: http: pizzamanplay.com

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit-dated but nonetheless-entertaining battle of the sexes.

[sav · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting plot but not executed well -- though there are some stand-out moments. it's hard to read and see a view of feminism that is like 30 years old.