Scripts-Aloud

Rick Regan

5.0 (3)
PERFORMING ARTS

Scripts Aloud brings drama right into your ears. By using text-to-speech software, theater scripts go from the page into drama, every week. Typically 10-minute scripts are presented in each episode. It's like having a Theater Festival - right on your phone!

4D AGO

002 Crime And Punishment

"There ain’t much net left," says Sheriff Troy. In this sobering episode, the line between law and justice is blurred when a bank robber, Hunter, explains his motives during a tense standoff. It turns out he wasn't after money, but rather a "fresh start" with a roof over his head and medical care for his mental health. He chose to commit a federal crime because "Federal prison inmates are the only people in the US with a Constitutionally guaranteed right to medical care". "CRIME & PUNISHMENT" is a powerful story about the choices we make when we feel we have no choice at all.

12 min
JAN 21

003 Desire of the Dwarves

This episode takes a look at the classic tale of Snow White from the perspective of the seven dwarves. The dwarves' cozy home is thrown into chaos when a young woman is left on their doorstep, seemingly a damsel in distress. But when Snow White is poisoned by the Queen, the dwarves' fears for their own safety collide with their feelings for the princess . When a handsome Prince arrives, they must confront their own desires and what they've learned about themselves.

12 min
JAN 14

Do I know you?

After a surprising one-night stand, Pete, an insecure mailroom clerk, is ready to bolt. Why? Because he is convinced that Kelly is a "perfect ten" who is vastly out of his league. But Kelly has secrets of her own. While Pete worries about his social standing, Kelly is navigating life with a serious mental health diagnosis and the fear that her "baggage" makes her unlovable. Guided by their chaotic support systems—Pete’s pseudo-alpha coworker Fred, who offers bizarre theories on women , and Kelly’s pragmatic sister Riley, who swears by a cynical "feed him and sex him" formula —the two attempt to navigate a relationship. From "clean feet" tests to confessions at Starbucks, Pete and Kelly must decide if they are brave enough to show each other who they really are. A touching and humorous look at imposter syndrome in modern dating. Major Themes Insecurity and "Leagues": The central conflict drives the narrative: Pete believes he is just a "regular guy" unworthy of a "ten," while Kelly believes her mental health struggles make her "broken". Both characters project perfection onto the other while feeling inadequate themselves.Mental Health and Stigma: The script tackles the difficulty of disclosing a mental health condition (specifically psychosis) to a new romantic partner. It highlights the fear of rejection and the struggle to be seen as a whole person rather than a diagnosis.The Influence of Peers/Family: The story heavily features the influence of outside voices. Fred acts as the devil on Pete's shoulder with toxic (yet occasionally effective) dating advice , while Riley provides a harsh, traditionalist, and protective perspective on how Kelly should "keep" a man.Vulnerability vs. Judgment: The "Clean Feet Test" introduced by Pete’s mother serves as a metaphor for judgment and the fear of being "dirty" or unworthy. The characters must overcome arbitrary deal-breakers to find genuine connection.The "Imposter Syndrome" of Adulthood: Both characters feel like they are faking their way through life—Pete with his career and future law school plans , and Kelly with her attempt to appear "normal" despite her internal struggle.

1 hr
JAN 7

001 - A Knight of A Round Table

What if the Champion of the Round Table wasn't a brave knight in shining armor, but a banker who won his title playing poker? This is the reality for Rapunzel, a young woman living a perfectly normal life in London until an odd man named Rod arrives at her door. He claims that through the "Chart of Heredity" she is the "most-desirable single-woman in the world" and he, as the champion, is now devoted to her happiness. But Rapunzel isn't falling for the fairy tale, especially when she remembers the dark reality of her namesake. Will Rod be able to convince her of his genuine devotion, or is this just another case of a man with a "c**k-sure" attitude?

12 min
JAN 1

Lucky One Day

"Lucky One Day" What happens when you go from a happy, hard-working couple to multi-millionaires overnight? In "Lucky One Day," we follow Sherman and Kelly through a series of wild windfalls that turn their world upside down. From a sweepstakes win to a multi-million dollar lottery jackpot, their lives change in an instant. But a year later, the dream has turned into a nightmare. Their new life of luxury in a Chicago high-rise is filled with bitterness and regret. Join us as we explore what happens when the money runs out and the love disappears. Action and Plot"Lucky One Day," tells the story of Kelly and Sherman, a couple who unexpectedly become wealthy. The play is divided into three scenes that trace their relationship's dramatic shift over the course of a year. In the first scene, the couple celebrates a series of incredible windfalls: Sherman gets a promotion at his engineering job, his debut novel is accepted for publication, a movie studio offers to buy the film rights, and he wins $10 million in a sweepstakes. To cap it all off, he wins a $35 million lottery jackpot with a last-minute ticket. Kelly and Sherman are ecstatic, their joy culminating in a wild celebration that ends with them running off to the bedroom. Scene two takes place one year later in their new high-rise apartment in downtown Chicago. The couple is now estranged and hostile toward one another, constantly bickering and insulting each other. Sherman spends his days playing video games and "day-trading crypto-currencies," which he seems to be losing money on. Kelly, meanwhile, is living a frivolous life of luxury, going to the casino with her sister Connie, and their dates, dressed in designer "cheerleader ensembles". The scene escalates into a heated argument where they insult each other's lifestyle choices and question the foundation of their marriage. In the final scene, a devastated Sherman reveals that his book and movie deal are on hold due to a plagiarism claim. He confesses to Kelly that he is unhappy with his life and offers her half of the remaining money, stating he wants her to be happy and find someone better than him. Kelly initially refuses the money and professes her love for him, but he transfers $15 million to her account anyway and decides to leave, taking only his laptop and the Rolls Royce. The play concludes with an enraged Kelly destroying Sherman's video game console with a baseball bat, cursing his name, and then declaring her happiness without him. Themes The Corrupting Influence of Wealth: The most prominent theme is how sudden, immense wealth destroys the lives of the main characters. Instead of bringing them happiness, the money makes them miserable, turning their initial love into resentment and hostility. It strips away their purpose, leading Sherman to abandon his passion for writing and his engineering career for video games and day trading. Similarly, Kelly's life becomes one of leisure and superficiality.Loss of Identity and Purpose: Both Sherman and Kelly lose their sense of self after winning the lottery. Sherman, a former engineer and aspiring author, becomes a day-trader and video game player. Kelly, once a hard worker, now fills her days with empty pursuits like tennis and gambling. The money frees them from their old lives but leaves them with nothing meaningful to replace them with.Failed Dreams and Reality: The play presents a stark contrast between the couple's initial dreams and their eventual reality. In the beginning, they have tangible successes—a promotion, a book deal—but these are eventually revealed to be fragile and fleeting. The lottery win, which seemed like the ultimate dream come true, ultimately unravels their lives.The Breakdown of Communication: The couple's relationship deteriorates into a series of sarcastic remarks, crude insults, and misunderstandings. They are unable to connect on a deeper level, and their conversations are filled with thinly veiled accusations and bitterness.

26 min
12/31/2025

I want to Taste the Melons of the Women who Sell Fruit by the Sea

In this episode, we present Rick Regan's one-act audio drama, "I want to taste the melons of the women who sell fruit by the sea" . Set in a quiet California restaurant, the play captures the first night out for a married couple after months of pandemic lockdown . Pauline, an academic, and Maurice, a travel writer, meet for what seems like a celebratory dinner, but the evening quickly unravels into a bitter confrontation. Maurice reveals he wants a divorce to take a job in London—a plan that Pauline suspects involves another woman . What follows is a raw and scathing dissection of their marriage, filled with accusations of infidelity, professional resentment, and the deep pain of feeling unseen. It’s an intimate and unflinching look at the moment a long love affair finally comes to its breaking point. Themes Marital Disintegration and Infidelity: The central theme is the complete breakdown of a long-term marriage. Maurice’s serial infidelity is the primary catalyst for the conflict. His desire for a divorce is driven by a new affair disguised as a career opportunity. The dialogue explores the deep wounds and cynicism that years of cheating have inflicted on Pauline.Aging, Desire, and Longing: The play's title is echoed in Francesca's metaphor of Maurice wanting a "ripe melon" while describing Pauline as a "dry" fence-post. This highlights Maurice's mid-life crisis and his longing for the passion and adoration of youth, which he seeks in other women because his marriage has grown stale . Francesca points out the bitterness of an aging man who can no longer easily attract the youth he craves .The Need for Recognition: Beyond the issue of infidelity, Pauline’s deepest hurt comes from feeling unseen and unvalued by her husband. She explicitly states, "It's not about sex, Mo! It's about recognition. You don't even see me. You don't know what I do" . Her final attack on the intellectual merit of his writing is a desperate attempt to assert her own value and be recognized as his equal .Authenticity vs. Artifice: The conflict pits two different ways of life against each other. Maurice is a travel writer whose life is an adventure, but Pauline frames his work as inauthentic, "overheated, purple prose of made-up middle-aged adventures". Conversely, Maurice attacks Pauline’s academic life as sterile and detached, accusing her of being a "dilettante busybody" for studying Arctic peoples from the comfort of Fresno .The Aftermath of a Shared Crisis: The story is explicitly set as the couple emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdown forced Maurice, the world traveler, to be "chained to your wife," removing his usual escape. This forced proximity did not create their problems but exacerbated them, bringing years of resentment to a breaking point.

17 min
12/24/2025

12 George, The Gold, and The Gun

"George, the Gold, and The Gun" This episode is a tense, character-driven thriller set in a "Sam Spade-type" office in downtown Cincinnati. It follows two partners in a non-profit foundation whose long-standing relationship unravels over two days, exposing a web of financial deception, personal desperation, and moral compromise. Characters George: A man in his late forties with an athletic build, George is the financial mastermind of the operation. He is disillusioned with the "shell game" he has created and is determined to cash out and disappear. He views his actions as a high-stakes gamble that he won, and he feels entitled to the rewards.Bill: George's partner, who believes for fifteen years that their foundation is a modest charity genuinely helping blind orphans. He is married to George's sister, Linda. Bill is unaware of the foundation's immense wealth until the final confrontation. The script reveals he suffers from severe depression and feels the foundation is his only purpose in life.Carol: The "saucy" and pragmatic bookkeeper who is complicit in George's scheme. She is not an official employee and receives her payment once a year in one hundred gold coins to avoid taxes. She is tough and unafraid, even threatening Bill when he points the gun at her.Themes Deception and Betrayal: The central theme is the profound deception George has maintained for fifteen years. He has hidden the true nature of their business from his partner and brother-in-law, Bill. When the truth is revealed, Bill feels utterly betrayed, stating, "You're making a monkey out of me!"Wealth and Moral Corruption: The original, noble mission of helping blind orphans becomes corrupted by the immense wealth George generates. The foundation transforms into a tax shelter and a "shell game" involving lobbying politicians and covering for doctors. This is symbolized by Carol's off-the-books payment in gold coins.Purpose and Despair: While George feels trapped and seeks escape, Bill clings to the foundation as his sole source of purpose and identity. The dissolution of the charity pushes him to reveal his deep depression and suicidal thoughts, as he tells George, "Without you, I'm just some washed up nobody" and "I'd rather be dead".Escape: A driving motivation for George is the desire to escape his life, which he feels is empty despite his financial success. His intricate plan to convert his assets to gold and flee to Canada in a "George's Screw and Bolt" truck is his ultimate escape plan.

44 min
12/17/2025

10 Ladies of the Club

Episode Notes: "Ladies of the Club" by Rick Regan This short play, "Ladies of the Club", by Rick Regan, presents an intimate and revealing conversation between two lifelong friends that peels back the layers of suburban life to expose the loneliness, grief, and resilience underneath. The story unfolds on a summer evening in Joanne's comfortable suburban home as she prepares for a book club meeting. Her friend Kelly is the first and, as it turns out, only guest to arrive. What starts as a casual catch-up about Kelly's work stress and her daughter Arlene's recent pregnancy scare soon deepens into a series of raw and honest confessions. The two women discuss Kelly's separation from her husband Steve, an artist she still financially supports , and Joanne's concern for her 25-year-old son, Tommy, who has been withdrawn since the death of his father, Neil. The conversation takes a poignant turn when Joanne reveals the heartbreaking truth of Neil's final days and the profound loneliness that now fills her life. The evening culminates in a startling discovery: Joanne has prepared a full Thanksgiving dinner in August a quiet, desperate attempt to recreate a holiday she missed while grieving her husband's death the previous November. The play closes on a touching moment of friendship as Kelly comforts her heartbroken friend. Key Themes Loneliness and Grief: The central theme is Joanne's overwhelming sense of loss and isolation after her husband's death. She feels her large house is just an empty "warehouse" and that she is "slowly...decaying". Her decision to cook a Thanksgiving meal out of season is a powerful symbol of her attempt to reclaim a sense of family and normalcy that has been lost. Female Friendship and Support: The entire play is built on the intimate dialogue between Joanne and Kelly. They share the deepest parts of their lives, from marital problems to difficult confessions about a spouse's death. The play ends with a simple, powerful act of support, showcasing friendship as a vital lifeline.The Burdens of Women: Both characters carry significant emotional and practical burdens. Kelly juggles a high-stress job, her daughter's problems, and an impending divorce from a man she feels she had to mother. Joanne carried the weight of her husband Neil's long illness and decline, which left her feeling frantic and alone even before he passed away.Appearance vs. Reality: The setting is a "comfortable suburban home", which suggests a peaceful, orderly life. However, the conversation reveals immense turmoil beneath the surface. Joanne sees Kelly as a gorgeous woman who has it easy, but Kelly's life is filled with stress and disappointment. The book chosen for the club, Slaughterhouse-Five, reflects this theme, with Joanne noting its dark, comic genius in finding humor and acceptance in tragedy, something Kelly finds too heavy for a summer read.

12 min

5

out of 5

3 Ratings

Scripts Aloud brings drama right into your ears. By using text-to-speech software, theater scripts go from the page into drama, every week. Typically 10-minute scripts are presented in each episode. It's like having a Theater Festival - right on your phone!

Creator

Rick Regan
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

20
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Rick Regan
Show Website

Scripts-Aloud