About the Play:

Oh, What a Tangled Web is a one-act comedy by John R. Carroll. This farce is about two sisters, Jan and Chris. Chris wants to meet up with a boy, but she's scheduled to work. She asks Jan to lie to her boss to get her out of work. The lie Jan comes up with gets her out of work, but it's far more extreme than Chris anticipated. Oh, What a Tangled Web highlights how one little white lie can lead to absolute chaos. Especially recommended for school and contest use.

Oh, What a Tangled Web details a creative, twisted lie spun by 15-year-old, Jan Wilson. Jan's older sister, Chris, works at the local corner store and wants to skip work to meet up with her crush, Tim, with whom she remains completely enamoured. Chris knows her tyrant employer, Mr. Quigley would never allow her to miss a day of work. So, she asks Jan to call Mr. Quigley and make up an excuse that will allow Chris to skip work. Flustered, Jan calls Quigley and struggles to find an excuse. The high-stress environment created by the phone call leads Jan to lie to Mr. Quigley; she fibs saying that Chris can not come to work because she passed away. The news of Chris's death shocked Mr. and Mrs. Quigley driving them to visit the Wilson's house. Considering the beloved family cat ran away hours before, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson accept the Quigley's condolences welcoming the couple into their home. Unknowingly mourning the loss of both a cat and Chris creates complete chaos throughout the Wilson residence.

Oh, What a Tangled Web is a popular and a favourite play for middle school and high school theatre productions.

Cast: 4 female, 4 male

What people say:

"The students have loved it since the very first reading. They have worked hard because they love the funny nuances." — Anna Politz, Huffmes Middle School, Lewisville, Texas

"Oh, What a Tangled Web has very clever plot twists that get many giggles and whoops from the audience. It is a good play for young actors — even the adult roles are achievable and the story is appealing and understandable (and very funny). We had lots of fun staging this play and got great audience reviews." — N. Olszewski, McMurray Middle School, Vashon, Washington

"A great play for middle school students! Safe, clean dialogue and non-violent content." — Pam Benson, Avon Middle School, Avon, Connecticut

About the Playwright:

John R. Carroll is an American playwright and screenwriter. His first play was published when he was 15 years old. The Enchanted Bicycle was printed in Plays magazine and a playwright was born. His plays have been produced and published throughout the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and Australia.