The Hope and Heartache Diner - One Act Version

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:

Also available in a full-length version here.

Recommended for High Schools and Middle Schools

Running Time

About 35 minutes

Approximate; excludes intermissions and scene changes

Cast

16 Characters

4 M5 F7 Any Gender

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 M, 5 F, 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 [A] 125 lines

(17) A teen with a big imagination, a big heart, but also a little self-centred.

SAM BROWN [M] 34 lines

(53) Felix’ dad. Loves to feed people. He solves problems with food. Married to…

NELL BROWN [F] 45 lines

(45) (Nelka Rolek) Nell is practical, stern but filled with love.

LOO BROWN [A] 40 lines

(19) Lucja (Lubomir if male). Loo is confident and knows what she wants. Can be male or female.

WIKI BROWN [F] 8 lines

(15) Wikoria. Timid. Loud places scare her. She bakes and is home schooled.

RAT [A] 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 [F] 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 [M] 26 lines

Felix’s Great-grandfather. A jokester. A ghost who purposefully looks as he did as a teenager.

Betty [F] 34 lines

Felix’s Great-grandmother. A sweetheart with smarts. A ghost who purposefully looks as she did as a teenager.

Felix Sr. [M] 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 [A] 4 lines

MS. BRONSTEIN [A] 3 lines

ERIC [A] 10 lines

MAUDE [A] 11 lines

DONNIE [M] 32 lines

REBECCA [F] 19 lines

Praise for The Hope and Heartache Diner - One Act Version

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.

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.

Josephine Owens

Creative Arts Charter School

The play was very successful! The students enjoyed the characters.

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