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The Hope and Heartache Diner - One Act Version by Lindsay Price play script cover

The Hope and Heartache Diner - One Act Version

by Lindsay Price Canadian Author

Diners are a special place. You can get your coffee, fall in love, and find light when the world is dark. Duke’s is a family business - four generations strong.

Felix wants one last hurrah before leaving for college. She’s doing the full run - open to close - just like her grandpa did when he was a teenager. But why? Everyone knows Felix can barely wipe tables. Why is she trying so hard to connect? And what happens when Felix’s parents announce they’re selling the diner?

A wonderful character piece with parts for everyone.

Comedy

Average Producer Rating: 5.0 out of 5

Also available in a full-length version here.

Recommended for High Schools and Middle Schools

At a Glance

Running Time
About 35 minutes
Approximate; excludes intermissions and scene changes
Cast
16 Characters
4 M 5 F 7 Any Gender
Productions
Produced by 50+ schools
Licensed by schools and youth theatres around the world
Set
Unit set
Length
31 pages
Free Excerpt

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Performance Royalty Fees

Royalty fees apply to all performances whether or not admission is charged. Any performance in front of an audience (e.g. an invited dress rehearsal) is considered a performance for royalty purposes.

Exemption details for scenes and monologues for competition.

16 Characters

  • 4 Males
  • 5 Females
  • 7 Any Gender

Characters in this play are currently identified as male or female. Directors are welcome to assign any gender (binary or non-binary) to any character and modify pronouns accordingly.

  • FELIX BROWN Any gender 125 lines
    (17) A teen with a big imagination, a big heart, but also a little self-centred.
  • SAM BROWN Male 34 lines
    (53) Felix’ dad. Loves to feed people. He solves problems with food. Married to…
  • NELL BROWN Female 45 lines
    (45) (Nelka Rolek) Nell is practical, stern but filled with love.
  • LOO BROWN Any gender 40 lines
    (19) Lucja (Lubomir if male). Loo is confident and knows what she wants. Can be male or female.
  • WIKI BROWN Female 8 lines
    (15) Wikoria. Timid. Loud places scare her. She bakes and is home schooled.
  • RAT Any gender 49 lines
    (19) Rat is rough around the edges, to the point that violence is always just under the surface. But she’s working on it. She has plans for the future. Can be male or female.
  • MISSION Female 38 lines
    (17) Mission is a southern belle with an unstable past. In the present she is bright and bubbly. But don’t cross her.
  • Earl Male 26 lines
    Felix’s Great-grandfather. A jokester. A ghost who purposefully looks as he did as a teenager.
  • Betty Female 34 lines
    Felix’s Great-grandmother. A sweetheart with smarts. A ghost who purposefully looks as she did as a teenager.
  • Felix Sr. Male 30 lines
    Felix’ grandfather. A ladies’ man s a teen, married once and never again after his wife died young. He and Felix were together every day of Felix’ life. He is the source for all of Felix’ stories. A ghost.

DINERS - also play:

  • HAMIL Any gender 4 lines
  • MS. BRONSTEIN Any gender 3 lines
  • ERIC Any gender 10 lines
  • MAUDE Any gender 11 lines
  • DONNIE Male 32 lines
  • REBECCA Female 19 lines

Praise for The Hope and Heartache Diner - One Act Version

5 out of 5 stars
Jennifer Paske
Strack Intermediate
It was such a great experience for the kids. The characters were so fun to play and our UIL judge really liked it.
5 out of 5 stars
Melissa Simmons
Providence Academy
My students and I loved this script. From the first read-through until our contest performance, a great time was had by all. Very relatable. Age-appropriate for high-school performers while still offering opportunities to stretch and grow.
5 out of 5 stars
Josephine Owens
Creative Arts Charter School
The play was very successful! The students enjoyed the characters.

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