The Gravediggers Union

by Brian James Polak

This play is the contents of my brain inclusive of the dumb jokes, non sequiturs, emotional roller coasters, yearnings, and surprises that swim tirelessly through my thoughts.

| Full length comedy |

In this play about found family and yearning to go some place you can never find, a group of people work at a cemetery in the fictional Ashworth, New Hampshire; some wish they were elsewhere and others are...

This play is the contents of my brain inclusive of the dumb jokes, non sequiturs, emotional roller coasters, yearnings, and surprises that swim tirelessly through my thoughts.

| Full length comedy |

In this play about found family and yearning to go some place you can never find, a group of people work at a cemetery in the fictional Ashworth, New Hampshire; some wish they were elsewhere and others are perfectly happy to be miserable where they are. Ronnie used to be married to Bobby, who is unhappily married to Ricky. Mike plays drums in a wedding band on the weekend and can't stop talking about the song "Pour Some Sugar on Me." Johnny shows up at the cemetery surreptitiously recording a podcast called "Welcome to AshTown." They all work together digging holes and passing the time. When the WalMart of cemeteries opens across the street everybody begins to worry about losing their jobs so they plan to put on a production of Three Sisters to raise money to buy the cemetery themselves. The only problem is nobody goes to plays anymore...

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The Gravediggers Union

Recommended by

  • Tiffany Antone: The Gravediggers Union

    Ahh, I want to see this play on its feet, with all the requisite dirt. The play's slacker-absurdist aesthetic pulled me in, and the very real dialogue kept me there. Bravo!

    Ahh, I want to see this play on its feet, with all the requisite dirt. The play's slacker-absurdist aesthetic pulled me in, and the very real dialogue kept me there. Bravo!

  • Kitchen Dog Theater: The Gravediggers Union

    We are pleased to support this play! It was a Finalist for the 2023 New Works Festival at Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas, Texas.

    We are pleased to support this play! It was a Finalist for the 2023 New Works Festival at Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas, Texas.

  • Wolfgang Jones: The Gravediggers Union

    A fun read that I'm eager to see brought to life. Polak really delivers with strong characters and entertaining dialogue that should excite any ensemble - and all set against the backdrop of a graveyard. An unsuspecting take on isolation, love, class, and hope, THE GRAVEDIGGERS UNION is a solid addition and worthy of production.

    A fun read that I'm eager to see brought to life. Polak really delivers with strong characters and entertaining dialogue that should excite any ensemble - and all set against the backdrop of a graveyard. An unsuspecting take on isolation, love, class, and hope, THE GRAVEDIGGERS UNION is a solid addition and worthy of production.

View all 11 recommendations

Character Information

Casting note: You may notice there are no genders or pronouns associated with these characters. You will find the script contains no references to the race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual preference of these characters. There might be an urge to cast this play based on the character names and/or the stereotypical behaviors of the characters. Fight that urge and cast this play with actors who have a simpatico relationship with the characters.
  • Ronnie
    Ronnie hates everything. Restless and desperate to make big life changes, but pathologically afraid of moving to Moscow… I mean Boston.
    Character Age
    30/40/50
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Any
  • Bobby
    Bobby seems to be the most grounded in the group, but still miserable. Ronnie has been married to Ronnie and is currently married to Ronnie despite really not wanting to be in a relationship with anybody.
    Character Age
    30/40/50
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Any
  • Ricky
    Anxious, excitable, and obsessed with conspiracies and murder crimes. Ricky is happy with the status quo and is best friends with Ronnie.
    Character Age
    30/40/50
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Any
  • Mike
    Genuinely happy to be alive. A drummer in a wedding band on the weekends. Doesn’t aspire to be doing anything other than playing drums and digging holes. Obsessed with the song POUR SOME SUGAR ON ME.
    Character Age
    30/40
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Any
  • Johnny
    New to the graveyard. Possibly has never even been to New Hampshire before. Is secretly recording a podcast about life in Ashworth, New Hampshire.
    Character Age
    20/30/40/50
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Any
  • Ralph
    Ralph is the boss. Ralph is referred to in the play with he/him pronouns, but that should have no bearing on how this role is cast. Any actor of any race, gender identification, age, ability should be cast. And maybe even several actors across different spectrums should be cast.
    Character Age
    All/any ages.
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Any

Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization Fearless Theatrical Creations, Year 2025

Production History

  • Type University, Organization Bates College, Year 2024

Awards