"Since arriving with the thunderous debut Daddy's Girl, Gary Ray Stapp has become a Community Theatre favorite." -- AACT Spotlight, January/February 2010

Spotlight Production

Great Bend Community Theater

Great Bend, KS

Daddy's Girl

April 25-28, 2019

Gary Ray Stapp, playwright

Fashionably Late

Best Show I've Ever Seen

"I’ve been to the New Dinner Theatre in Kansas City, I’ve gone to Branson for years, I have seen shows all over the country, but this show (Fashionably Late) is the best show I’ve ever seen in my life!”
— Donald Lockaby, Pomona, KS (Chamber Players, Garnett, KS)

Great Characters

"Fashionably Late is a wonderful script … witty and fun and has great characters for students to work with. We really enjoyed the show and it was well-received by our audiences. I would recommend this show to high schools looking for something more current and relevant for the students.”
— Michael Hill, Director,
Nemaha Valley High School
Seneca, KS

Another Smash Hit ... Hilarious

"Fashionably Late is another smash hit for the Chamber Players as area theatre-goers were treated to another one of local playwright Gary Ray Stapp's comic productions presented to nine sold-out performances, which included an encore performance last Sunday evening. Stapp used his creative and imaginative talent, his trademark inevitable, unexpected surprise (or two), and a perfect cast to mold a most enjoyable and hilarious evening of entertainment."
— Nancy Horn, Garnett, KS, feature writer,The Advocate, March 14, 2008

Contest Winner
Fashionably Late selected as the winner of Cheshire Comedy's FUNNIEST PLAY ON EARTH 2008

"One of the funniest shows ever in the 30 plus years of S.T.A.G.E. Inc.!" -- Zada Jahnsen, Corp. Mngr., Bulverde, TX

Fashionably Late (8-10W, 5M)

It’s a get-it-while-you-can attitude in the world of fashion and no one knows that better than the staff of New York City fashion designer, Wade Haywood. So what do Charmaine, Meredith, and Harry do when the boss fails to show up for work? Not what you think! There’s no time for loafing when opportunity is knocking at the agency door, especially when one stranger shows up with the disturbing announcement that she’s been hired as a replacement, followed by the appearance of another stranger with a big wallet and a penchant for over-sized models. Suddenly, what started out as an ordinary day, becomes an afternoon of high jinx as brains, beauty, and brawn mix it up in a cross-dressing masquerade designed to fool a fashion industry guru, an IRS agent, and a Texas oil millionaire. But, when the fooled wise-up to the foolish, good fortune quickly unravels at the seams, and catastrophe of hilarious proportion looms on the edge of the fashion runway. And when secrets collide with good intentions, everyone learns that being fashionably late is better than never being fashionable at all.

“It’s madcap fun from start to finish!”
Geri Albrecht, editor, Heuer Publishing

A CRITIQUE of MY WORK by BOB and MARY JO GEIGER

    “If you want to experience really enjoyable theater, plan to attend any of the plays written by Gary Ray Stapp. Audiences of any age, neophyte or veteran, sophisticated or plebian, discriminating or eclectic, critical or all-embracing, will find artistically satisfying results with Gary’s plays.
     His plots are intricate and defy transparency until the denouement presents the solution to the viewer. You may think you have the motives lined up, but then you find you have another think coming when one of your theories crashes. He keeps the story line moving at such an accelerated pace that the humor comes so fast one must listen very closely not to miss many of the gag lines. Some of his humor is so subtle that even the most erudite student of drama may miss the punctuation. Hilarious dialogue keeps the audience producing belly laugh after belly laugh throughout the development of two or more intrigues in each production. Stump the audience is his game.
     Gary skillfully delineates each character to complement the whole, and thereby maintains the web that draws the audience into the action and releases them only as the curtain nearly begins to fall. His characters are full-bodied, genuine, surprising, and memorable. One can see oneself often in the situations that unfold on stage, and anticipate the actions and reactions of the characters, only to be totally ambushed by what actually develops. Each of his characters plays an integral part in the movement of the plot, and keeps the audience in awe as then feint here and there to add another turn, another nuance to the unpredictable movement toward the unanticipated solution of the various conflicts.
      Gary’s stage business is direct, purposeful, and communicative, and his sets contribute visual elements essential to the interaction of his characters without the delivery of the plot having to depend entirely on them. All in all, Gary’s plays are well written, carefully crafted, challenging, humorous, and good theater.”
— Bob & Mary Jo Geiger, Chanute, Kansas.

*Bob and Mary Jo have been faithful supporters of The Chamber Players Community Theatre where they have enjoyed the presentations of my plays. Their generous compliments are not only in response to my writing, but are also in reaction to the talent of the Chamber Players’ actors who have brought my words to the stage. Bob and Mary Jo have a long history with the Chanute Community Theatre, having been directors of numerous plays and musicals. Their years of involvement and support of CCT prompted the theatre group to create an award in their honor. The Geiger Award is presented annually to a member of the CCT organization.   Thank you, Bob and Mary Jo, and thanks to all of you who have taken the time to express your appreciation of my work. With humble and sincere gratitude, Gary.