Never Tell

Never Tell by James Christy

(1)
Productions (4)
Drama
|
110 - 120 minutes
2 W, 5 M,  (6-8 actors possible: 2-3 W, 4-5 M)
Content Notes: Adult language and content
Set: Minimal.

Never Tell centers around two enigmatic creations: a controversial video installation that includes documentary-style footage of a rape, and a ground-breaking computer program with vast business potential. The creations tear apart a lifelong friendship between slacker computer programmer Manny and ambitious gallery-owner Will, transforming the lives of those closest to them. Will becomes a media celebrity as a result of the installation, while Manny's computer program is stolen in a surreal corporate power play. In a vivid series of ironically comic and emotionally explosive scenes, Never Tell presents a contemporary story of friendship and betrayal.

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Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $85
Standard Edition $13.99
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
Archival Video License $150

*The per performance fee begins at $85. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.


Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

Play Details

Never Tell centers around two enigmatic creations: a controversial video installation that includes documentary-style footage of a rape, and a ground-breaking computer program with vast business potential. The creations tear apart a lifelong friendship between slacker computer programmer Manny and ambitious gallery-owner Will, transforming the lives of those closest to them. Will becomes a media celebrity as a result of the installation, while Manny's computer program is stolen in a surreal corporate power play. In a vivid series of ironically comic and emotionally explosive scenes, Never Tell presents a contemporary story of friendship and betrayal.

  • Drama
  • |
  • 110 - 120 minutes
  • 2 W, 5 M,  (6-8 actors possible: 2-3 W, 4-5 M)
  • Content Notes: Adult language and content
  • Set: Minimal.

Published Reviews

"Mr. Christy has a real gift for contemporary, insightful, sometimes darkly funny dialogue that reflects believable human interaction."

Anita Gates, The New York Times

"The characters in Never Tell strip away layers of convention to explore the roots of their own depravity and baggage."

Village Voice

"Christy is a talented playwright with a strong dramatic voice and broad ambitions."

Hieu Tran, nytheatre.com

"An exceedingly well-crafted sequence of monologues and dramatic interchanges with just the right amount of humor...a great play."

Jeffrey N. Gangemi, newyorkcool.com

"Sharp and searching...The play's demolition genius is the loquacious, eerily magnetic slacker Hoover."

Rob Kendt, LA Times

"Incendiary work...wonderfully sly."

Brad Schreiber, Backstage West

"...one of the more challenging works in town...Never Tell is a play that lingers in the mind, partly because of its unrelentingly Manichaean view of relationships and its jaundiced look at art voyeurism..."

Steven Mikulan, LA Weekly

Production History

APR 22, 2009 - APR 24, 2009
Poinciana High School
Kissimmee, FL United States
 Poinciana High School Kissimmee, FL United States
FEB 01, 2006 - FEB 28, 2006
Broken Watch Theatre
New York, NY United States
 Broken Watch Theatre New York, NY United States
MAY 01, 2005 - JAN 31, 2005
Elephant Stageworks
Los Angeles, CA United States
 Elephant Stageworks Los Angeles, CA United States
AUG 01, 2004 - AUG 31, 2004
New York International Fringe Festival
New York, NY United States
 New York International Fringe Festival New York, NY United States
No upcoming productions.
No professional productions.

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