The Play's The Thing!

We haven't covered it in awhile but Rob began his writing career as a playright, and a slew of his (yes, hit) plays are available to produce, share, or merely read if that sort o' thing sets the stage for your enjoyment! From sincere drama to rolicking dramady... it's time to lower the lights and settle in for an evening of reading, or performing, pleasure. BTW, Rob has no "royalty restriction" on any of his stage works; if you represent or belong to a professional or collegiate theatre org, and wish to enquire about production rights, you may contact him here. It's not that complicated. Check us out!

As we approach Halloween, there are few better reads than the works of Ambrose Bierce. His macabre stories ruled the late 19th century's horror and fantasy genres, as had Edgar Allan Poe's in that mid-century, when ghosts and the inexplicable were taken a bit more seriously than today.

AMBROSE BIERCE, THE LAST STAND OF … attempts to clue in readers – and playgoers – as to the inner workings of one of American history's most mysterious and enigmatic minds!

No one really knows how Bierce spent his final night on earth, after he vanished beyond the Mexican border in 1913, in search of contact with revolutionary Pancho Villa. All communication with Bierce ceased in December of that year, and it could only be assumed that it was because of his demise on some northern Mexico battlefield, or that he was executed by federalé rifles.

Or did he escape?

What we know for certain is that the early 20th century's Master of the Literary Macabre – author of The Devil's Dictionary, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, and The Damned Thing, among other other-worldly works, made good his promise never to lie beneath a tombstone – to this day, he doesn't.

Available in e-book and paperback, Rob Foster's 2-act play is just what you're looking for to sit by the eerie glow of the fire with, munching all the Halloween candy for yourself!

In 2004, (and produced again in a revival by another theatre org in 2013)... this is by far my most successful stage production. It actually spearheaded a Lenny Bruce revival among Southern California/Los Angeles productions... though they hardly knew or acknowledged same. We at least beat them to the punch.

Mr. Bruce, Do You Swear? resurrects the embattled comedian, gadfly, political/social commentator and speaker of the ribald, and relives his trials — with himself narrating, and the audience as a new-generation jury. Hear his case again, with new ears, different norms, fresh outlooks and blown minds.

The stage play in its complete form is contained here, along with Bruce bio info, and a sampling of the local reviews the show received when premiered in 2004.

What changes occured? Longtime Bruce advocate Edward Azlant (RIP) included it in his footnotes, among his larger published Bruce tribute. A direct phone call of encouragement (and subsequent unforgettable conversation) was received from Nat Hentoff (RIP), the journalist most quoted among any serious discussion of Bruce. And finally, the woman herself, Kitty Bruce, Lenny's daughter, found out and sent words of thanks and encouragement!

Yeah, REALLY.

Even a strange dream encounter with Bruce himself... in a bizarre mellowed voice... assured me: "I'm gonna be there, but don't look for me." True. This show had so many surreal moments during initial development... it's spooky.

Not quite everyone loved this show, but plenty important names endorsed it.

Own it, read it, enjoy it, discuss it all again. The most important stand-up comedian of the 20th Century is worth remembering... and seeing live, if you get the chance (via this show).

Lenny, you finally Rest In Peace, but the minds you blew and the ears you opened, still reel, and fight on!
Get it in paperback or e-reader!


Theatrical orgs who wish to produce/perform this show, the expense is not prohibitive we assure you, surprisingly friendly, and eager to compliment (add spice to) your upcoming season! It won't break your theatre's budget, but will get you noticed!

We've all been done wrong. Stop complaining and smile.

Toast those who've screwed you – they'll never again have as good a lay!

Lamenting a lack of love? Stop!

What most people in today's world call "love" isn't worth pining for. Lovers are temporary. Soulmates are not guaranteed to find each other!

You might as well laugh your blues away. The most fun you'll ever have alone, without needing ointment afterward, is Rob Foster's Eight Short Plays That Scientifically Disprove The Existence of Love.

This saucy collection of rowdy sketch comedy explores that mysterious valley between love, like... and mutual tolerance.

Don't let the book's title rile you too much – a treasure trove of lovely laughter awaits, whether you are a theatrical producer, actor, or just want to read and enjoy the ride. Decide for yourself herein what is proven or debunked about everyone's favorite subject, nude skydiving. Er, uh... no. We meant love.

Available, of course, in paperback and e-reader format.

So Fosterical Laboratories has released from the vault, this rare gem from 1996 – in book form for the first time – Rob's disturbingly poignant stage comedy, HOW TO ASSEMBLE A WHALE!

It's newly available in e-reader format, and very soon, possibly as we write this, in paperback, under the banner of Spotlight Theater Classics, which seeks to bring new and regionally known original stageworks to the widest audience possible, in an accessible format to the layperson reader and professional producer alike.

How To Assemble A Whale is guaranteed to knock your funny bone out of joint and kick your brain into gear – as enlightening as it is hilarious.

Hart and Warner couldn’t be any more different than night and day, yet they have two things in common: they’re both in a mental ward, and have both “died ” and returned after seeing the other side. The facility’s Administrator, seeking her own answers to life’s questions, has paired the two to share the same living quarters, in the hope of what may be observed and gleaned from their curious and oddball interactions.

I haven't promo'd this one in a while, so it's about time we spoke up here for a good ol' romantic comedy, perhaps with an edge.

Funny, pithy, punchy and proud of it, is JUST LOVELY.

It's pretty common faire, up to a point. There are tons of stage and movie comedies about the computer-dating scene and the wackiness of the match-dot-com set, but few that address the real problem; the fact that "wacky" is actually the politest term for these people.

Here's a play script that directly pulls their disconnectedness into the spotlight, over their "adorable quirks" and their obligatory "meet-cutes!" Two psychos are a bit too perfectly matched by the Cyberverse of Love, find the sizzle turns quickly into a sobering affair, and attempt to disengage with a shred of dignity left. That is, until meddling friends with the best of intentions coerce them back onto a collision course – and they must endure one more weekend under the microscope.

It's almost the Cabin In The Woods of light romance!

It may hit too close to home if you've spent any time online looking for love, but some dreads and regrets are liberating head-on. As Dante told us, Hell's exit is at its center, not its furthest point out. Welcome to the Dating Inferno… perhaps a redundant term.

Available in paperback or e-reader format.