Den of Thieves

Play

Writers: Stephen Adly Guirgis

Overview

Show Information

Category
Play
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1996
Genres
Dark Comedy
Settings
Contemporary, Simple/No Set
Time & Place
present day, basement, new york city
Cast Size
small
Ideal for
College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, Mature Audiences, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast
Casting Notes
Mostly male cast
Includes late teen, young adult, adult, mature adult characters

Synopsis

Maggie is a young single woman trying to change her life. She and her sponsor Paul are part of a twelve-step program intended to help recovering thieves. When Maggie’s no-good ex arrives and tells them about a large sum of unguarded drug money, she and Paul give into their lesser instincts and decide to assist in the robbery. They are joined by Flaco (the ex)’s new girlfriend-- a stripper with a third-grade reading level and a healthy dose of attitude. Predictably, things don’t go according to plan.

When the foursome find themselves at the mercy of a reluctant gangster, they have no choice but to try and use their wits to escape. Louie “Little Tuna” Pescatore offers them a deal: he needs “one body and three thumbs,” so they can decide for themselves who gets to live--and who doesn’t. From the madcap brain of Pulitzer-winning playwright of Stephen Adly Gurgis comes an early comedy about survival, theft, and donuts!

Lead Characters


Den of Thieves guide sections