The Underpants

by Steve Martin, Carl Sternheim

Theobald Maske has an unusual problem: his wife's underpants won't stay on. One Sunday morning they fall to her ankles right in the middle of town--a public scandal! Mortified, Theo swears to keep her at home until she can find some less unruly undies. Amid this chaos he's trying to rent a room in their flat. The prospective lodgers have some underlying surprises of their own. In The Underpants , Steve Martin brings his comic genius and sophisticated literary style to Carl Sternheim's classic 1910 farce. His hilarious new version was staged by Artistic Director Barry Edelstein, and opened in March '02 on Off-Broadway to critical acclaim.

Genres: Plays, Humor, Drama, Theatre, Fiction, Comedy

152 pages, Paperback

First published November 20, 2002

About the author

Stephen Glenn "Steve" Martin is an American actor, comedian, writer, playwright, producer, musician, and composer. He was raised in Southern California in a Baptist family, where his early influences were working at Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm and working magic and comedy acts at these and other smaller venues in the area. His ascent to fame picked up when he became a writer for the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, and later became a frequent guest on the Tonight Show.

In the 1970s, Martin performed his offbeat, absurdist comedy routines before packed houses on national tours. In the 1980s, having branched away from stand-up comedy, he became a successful actor, playwright, and juggler, and eventually earned Emmy, Grammy, and American Comedy awards.

Reviews

[Terri Gulyas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quirky, irreverent, well-written and quintessentially Steve Martin with his "wild and crazy" guy voice. Hard to believe it was just his adaptation of a play written by Carl Sternheim more than a century ago! A fun diversion from the more serious books I've been reading of late.

[P.M. Bradshaw · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Underpants is a 1910 play written by Carl Sternheim. Mr. Martin has re-written it in an attempt to turn it from a farce into a broad comedy. I saw it performed in 2011 at the Beck Center for the Arts, and I then I read it, also.

While the play is amusing at first, it grows tiresome. The (somewhat) sexual escapades of bored housewife, Louise, quickly take on the likeness of a wacky episode of “Three’s Company.” But without John Ritter’s pratfalls, the jokes begin to fall flat, and the play drags on and on.

The inherent male-dominance of the day becomes misogyny at times, and after awhile, I was left wondering if some of those lines were supposed to be ironically funny, or just mean.

This is not a play I would see or read again.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally an unknown German play and re-written by Steve Martin into something that’s actually funny, this farce is a wild and wacky look into the world of a childless couple, their lives turned upside down by the timely dropping of the wife’s underpants. Was it an accident? An act of God? Or did her libido decide to take action after a year of sexual inactivity from her husband?

At once wise, witty and bawdy, the audience is taken on a ride by people whose lives are caught in a whirlwind of desire, inspired by nothing more than a bit of lacey nothing. Mr. Martin proves himself as gifted a playwright as he is a comedian and actor. Having seen the play staged twice by the Classic Stage Company and The Gallery Players, this bodes well for it being re-staged again. Get this play and prepare yourselves for a bit of panty-wetting fun.

[John Bruni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one's a quick read. It's the story of Louise, who one day accidentally loses her panties in public during a parade. Her husband Theo thinks she's acting like a slut and thinks this will ruin him. Two men come slavering to their doorstep to rent a room with them, but they really want to have a chance at laying Louise. It's a very interesting look at sex, but more so, it's a hilarious gut-shot to the concept of fame. I'm not familiar with Sternheim's original play, but Martin's adaptation is incredibly funny.

[Joni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this fluffy farce was a very pleasant and funny read. I would love to be in this play or see a production of it. Good find Melody!

[Jack Goodstein · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of one joke play with a lot of wink and nod sex jokes.

[Colleen AF · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ever want something to remind you that under all of those piles and piles of bad movies Steve Martin IS truly brilliant you must read this amazing translation. Martin was able to take a dated play and make it new, while still retaining the historic and international feel. A truly feminist work before feminism was in fashion, it's the story of a woman, her idiot husband, noisy neighbor, numerous suitors, and the power of a pair of a saggy (tied with a string) underpants. This had me shaking with bits of laughter at points. I would say behind his early stand-up and stellar essay collections (Pure Drivel has been reread over and over on my bookshelf) this is one of Steve Martin's greatest achievements...now if only he'd stop writing novels...

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this on the recommendation of someone who had heard of it but hadn't actually read it herself. I feel it's supposed to be played in a fairly absurdist, "yes the actors and director are in on how weird the setup is," kind of delivery. However, once you get past the rapid-fire arrival of room renters and free-roaming monarchy, you find yourself learning a lesson from each character in the play and realizing that not everything happening at this moment is necessarily as big as it might seem next week, next month, or, say, 98 years from now.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was surprised at how overt this play is. There is no subtlety, no lead-up to plot. We are told (such a major no-no), very quickly, about what has happened and what the results will likely be, and then we are shown those results. In this sense, it really is such a weak play. I'm confident that if it weren't (re)written by Steve Martin, this play would struggle to ever get a performance.

Certainly, I chuckled. Visually, it was easy to imagine. But beyond this, there is nothing to recommend this play.

[Richard Downey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Martin is brilliant! I've been a fan since the wild and crazy guy days but he has grown into one of the most insightful humorists around whether it's in films as an actor and screenwriter or as an acclaimed author of books and plays. The Underpants is an update of an old German play by Carl Sternheim in which a woman standing on her balcony while the King's procession is passing by, has her underpants fall down. She's not too worried because she thinks everyone will be watching the King. Not so. Hilarity ensues. I would love to see this one performed.

[melody mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this Play. Steve Martin adapted this story about Underpants or the lack there of from 1910 to make it just as relevant to today's reader. It's funny and quick and only one act. It made me laugh to think about the power of panties or missing panties and my mind went right to the Paris and Britney set. I am hoping our Theatre group will like it too and maybe we can put it up!

[Travis · Rating 2 out of 5]

My friend lent me this book. It was funny, but I was a little disappointed with the amount of crass innuendo. But, I guess I should have figured such would be the case - considering the source. Oh well. It did give me a chuckle, and was pretty clever in places. Overall, however, I felt it was somewhat flat as far as plays go.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

For some reason, I did not realize that this book was a play ...wow. It did make for a quick fun read I would really like to see this play acted out. I could image the play as I was reading it. I enjoy Steve Martin's work and, although this was merely adapted by him, I could still see his humor through it.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was recommended to me by my friend Melody for our theatre company. Its a light, fun adaptation by Steve Martin. It's a comedic, almost farcical play that would make an enjoyabe evening of entertainment in the theatre...

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw a production of this years ago, and have been wanting to read the stage play since. David put this in my stocking for me. =D It was a quick read, but a funny one. Definitely want to see it again.

[Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, if not truly farcical, farce. Steve Martin's adaptation is funny and smart, moving with speed but never quite taking flight. I think it'd be funnier on stage, to be honest. Still, it's a quick read and an engaging enough one for a Sunday brunch.

http://wp.me/pGVzJ-lw

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hilarious. I don't know that I've ever sat down and read a play before (except those canonized in litereature anthologies). This one takes about an hour to read and is delightfully baudy and just-my-kind-of-lewd. Steve Martin, I've underestimated you.

[Kaitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Steve Martin. Like, everything he does. This isn't my favorite book of his (that's The Pleasure of My Company), but it's funny and unique.

[Madeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
This play was originally written in 1910. Steve Martin adds his own flair and republishes it in 2002. I enjoyed this laugh-out-loud farce; it was a fun and entertaining read.

I would definitely love to see this as a play.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an easy read and an interesting play.

[Effobee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had this book confused with another book. I'm glad I finally got to reading it. It was a totally short read and a fun little story. Steve Martin is pretty good at this stuff.

[Alaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a play I'll be performing in this March. I may up my star-rating afterward. I have a feeling it will grow on me.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. Easy & QUICK read b/c it's a play. But leave it to Steve Martin to add the sexual inneundos! (then again, that's pretty much the premise of the whole play)

[Carolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not find this play "laugh out loud funny" as the review on the cover describes. The innuendo is worse than any Mel Brooks film, inducing yawns and groans rather than giggles.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually I didn't read this, I saw it performed years ago at Interplayers in Spokane. But it's so so very wonderful that everyone should read it if they can't see it live.

[Peter Mcdonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I worked at Classic Stage when Steve released this off-broadway. It is an amazing retelling by a comedic master, plus he plays banjo.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This play is too much fun !!!

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cute play. Not hilarious but entertaining.

[Puck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Steve Martin but not my favorite. It makes some really good commentary on life before WWI, goes for the laugh, but it didn't win me over the way The Shopgirl did.

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sternheim's classic gets a Steve Martin twist. When her knickers fall down during a royal parade, one woman's life will never be the same.