About the Play
During silent film’s golden age, Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle’s comedic genius outshone even Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton as Hollywood’s first million-dollar man. Then after one tragic weekend, he became America’s biggest villain. What really happened to him and Virginia Rappe? In the tradition of great vaudeville pairings, Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle and Will Goode (who plays Keaton, Rappe, and a host of other characters) entice big laughs and shocking truths. The line between comedy and tragedy is thinner than you ever imagined. Cast: 1F, 1M. 70 Minutes.
The Playwrights
ANDY BAYIATES is a Chicago-based playwright and Neo-Futurist alumnus. Recent plays include LOST LAUGHS: THE SLAPSTICK TRAGEDY OF FATTY ARBUCKLE, 45 PLAYS FOR 45 PRESIDENTS, 45
Lost Laughs has been Nominated for 5 IRNE Awards
Best Play - Merrimack Repertory Theatre | Best New Play - Andy Bayiates & Aaron Muñoz | Best Lighting Design - DM Wood | Best Director - Nathan Keepers | Best Actor - Aaron Muñoz |
BroadwayWorld
"Muñoz plays Arbuckle with style, grace, and nuance. Arbuckle is the engine that drives the play, but Mengelkoch's menagerie stokes the fire for that engine."
Independent Reviewers of New England
"Every facet of this show is engaging as well as enlightening."
Merrimack Valley Magazine
"The production is as gorgeous as it is impressive, and as entertaining as it is heart-wrenching."
New England Theatre Geek
"Rappe… is given a powerful #metoo moment, as she describes her life and her long, painful death; There is ample room in this production to feel sympathy to Arbuckle’s career troubles after Rappe’s death and horror at the men (including Arbuckle) who allowed Rappe to die drugged and alone at a hotel room from a ruptured bladder. And it is this feeling of horror which has stayed with me long after the laughs have faded."
The Lowell Sun