Sure Thing

by David Ives

Genres: Plays, Theatre, Fiction, Read For School

Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

A contemporary American playwright whose plays often consist of one act and are generally comedies. They are notable for their verbal dexterity, theatrical invention, and quirky humor.

He earned his MFA in Playwriting from The Yale School of Drama. A Guggenheim Fellow in playwriting, David is probably best known for his evening of one-act comedies called "All In the Timing". The show won the Outer Critics Circle Playwriting Award, ran for two years Off-Broadway, and in the 1995-96 season was the most-performed play in the country after Shakespeare productions.

Reviews

[Christopher Rush · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a great play if a few lines here and there were edited (which is what I do for our in-class reading of it each year). It's a clever idea somewhat ahead of its time, predating Whose Line is it Anyway? by a few years. When kids learn when it was written, they are often surprised, since it has a Postmodern feel/approach to it, without being pessimistic - they usually think it is from the 2000s. This has resonated more with my students in recent years since we added The Sound and the Fury to the Honors reading list. I usually play the part of the bell (using a real front desk bell) in recent years, in memory of a former student who actually read the part of the bell and has passed away. Even with a few lines edited it still causes a variety of reactions from the students, mostly positive, once they figure out what is going on. It's not a play we rehearse, really, just one we pick up and read using some edited scripts. That spontaneity usually helps more than it hinders, though once in a while a key line will get flubbed - that's the price we pay for freshness. It's a nice little work.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this for community theatre by the Director. Very funny. Me a forty something reading a twenty something script. I played alongside a fantastic actor who fed me the timings to perfection. it is a beautiful piece to read experientially. I highly recommend reading this with your Betty or Bill. It is a blast.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly really enjoyed reading this Play. To me it was like a take on speed dating. I think it reminded me of it cause a lot of the time in speed dating you just talk until the bell rings and then start it again with another person. So it was cool to see that but with the same people and then showing do overs in this very “What If” type of way. Plus it was funny. I like funny plays.

[Hani Batrisya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one. It was funny, was a light read and had me transition from softly giggling to full-out laughter. Re-read it quite a number of times throughout the past week just to relieve myself of the day's burdens and challenges. Would definitely come back to this for a good laugh.

[María Castaños Gómez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me lo he tenido que leer para un curso de traducción de teatro tanto en inglés como en español de España y español de América Latina. Como obra representable está bien, pero analizar las diferentes posibilidades de traducción de un libreto tan cortito es una maravilla.

[Tylan Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious story of two meeting one another and constantly being interrupted by a bell. In my perception, I see it as a critique of speed-dating and also something that points out how we want to go back and change our words after a bad reaction. First impressions are hard.

[Sahir Malik]

Can somebody tell me if this script is free to produce commercially or I'll have to pay some fees ??

[Wen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this. almost like alternate dimensions, all choices etc

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

super funny

(Bell)

[Chambers Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the greatest short plays ever written.

[kiara skene · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
- interesting, fresh and new
- surprised by when it was written given the format of the piece
- a good little short work that would be quite fun to see performed

[Ella · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to destroy that bell! Interesting one act play about a “meet cute”.

[asiya | アセヤ (free palestine) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was quite stupid. Ew, yuck.

But still should re-read... It was a short one! 😂

[a.d. nox · Rating 2 out of 5]

another story for english.
been there done that. groundhogs day? about time? the play that inspired those two movies. it’s hard to tell if it’s speed dating or magic that takes a man or woman back to a specific moment to fix the “mistake.” it was funny enough but kinda dull moment *shrug*

[Nicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious, smart, fast-paced, quick-witted. I love plays where timing is the thing.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in "All in the Timing," and it was my favorite play in the collection. It has the fast pace and quick wit of improv, even though it's actually scripted.

[sch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read to teach, will read more of his work.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm certain this play influenced Whose Line is it Anyway's "New Choice."

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredible funny play. I only wish it was longer.