New Comedy 'When Playwrights Kill' Spoofs Theater Folk

Inspired by a 2019 Faye Dunaway debacle in Boston, the play delivers uproarious laughs.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 4:34pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of shattered glass and glittering sequins, capturing the glamour and chaos of the theater world in a high-contrast, abstract composition.The vibrant energy and high-stakes drama of the theater world are captured in this abstract close-up of luxurious textures, hinting at the comedic chaos at the heart of 'When Playwrights Kill'.Boston Today

The new comedy 'When Playwrights Kill' is a fast-moving, uproarious sendup of theater folk, directed with brio by Noah Himmelstein. Inspired by a 2019 incident where actress Faye Dunaway allegedly 'slapped and threw things' at crew members during an out-of-town tryout of a play in Boston, the comedy follows a playwright recounting his disastrous experiences with a faded movie star he casts in his new play.

Why it matters

Straightforward, unabashed comedies are not all that common in the American theater at the moment, so 'When Playwrights Kill' stands out as a rare example of a play that delivers genuine laughs without feeling forced. The play also pokes fun at various aspects of the theater world, from Actors' Equity to musical theater, providing an insider's perspective that will resonate with theater-goers.

The details

The play centers on playwright Jack Hawkins, who is recounting his experiences with onetime movie star Brooke Remington. Despite Hawkins' doubts about Remington's reputation for being difficult, producer Freddie Carlton insists on casting her in Hawkins' new play 'The Return.' During the tryout at Boston's Colonial Theatre, directed by the good-hearted Oliver Kendall Walker, Brooke proves unable or unwilling to learn her lines, leading to the services of a hilarious prompter, Tobias Deschanel, who clashes with Brooke. Meanwhile, stage manager Liz Jennings tries to keep the production afloat, while Jack eventually decides that Brooke must die.

  • Seven years ago, screen legend Faye Dunaway was making her much-ballyhooed return to the stage in 'Tea at Five' in an out-of-town tryout in Boston.
  • The incident with Faye Dunaway occurred in 2019.

The players

Matthew Lombardo

The playwright of 'When Playwrights Kill', who has moved beyond self-referentiality to create something more intricate, surprising, and ultimately compassionate.

Noah Himmelstein

The director of 'When Playwrights Kill', who has helmed the production with brio and a sure sense of what each moment requires.

Faye Dunaway

The screen legend who was making her much-ballyhooed return to the stage in 'Tea at Five' in an out-of-town tryout in Boston in 2019, but the collaboration ended catastrophically when the New York Post reported that the actress 'slapped and threw things' at crew members.

Jack Hawkins

The playwright character in 'When Playwrights Kill' who is recounting his catastrophic experiences with onetime movie star Brooke Remington.

Brooke Remington

The faded movie star character in 'When Playwrights Kill' who is cast in the playwright's new play despite her reputation for being difficult to work with.

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What’s next

The play is currently running at the Huntington Theatre in Boston through April 18, and the review suggests it is likely to transfer to Broadway and do well there.

The takeaway

In an era when many theaters are struggling to find the right balance between drama and comedy, 'When Playwrights Kill' stands out as a rare example of a play that delivers genuine, uproarious laughs without feeling forced. The play's insider's perspective on the theater world and its compassionate treatment of the Faye Dunaway incident make it a must-see for theater-goers.