The play “The Underpants” is set in a couple's flat in Düsseldorf in March of 1910. The flat has some rooms for rent. The story kicks off after an interesting incident. Louise, a beautiful twenty-year-old wife of Theo, waves to the king and her underpants fall down. She quickly races to pull them up, while her husband, a burly and muscular man with a buzz cut, is extremely embarrassed. Theo Maske's overreaction is huge. He says, “They will blame me for having a wife who is so distracted by staring out the window, who is so hypnotized by a canary in a cage, that she can't even tie a tiny knot in two slender chords. I'm sorry, but I am a responsible wage-earner. I cannot have my underpants go flopping down because I must bring home 600 Taylor a year plus bear the responsibility of renting out a room so we can put dinner on the table, close ourselves, and keep the place heated.” Theo keeps going off on Louise. She, however, degrades the situation back to what it really is. Now, Theo fears for his job because of his wife's underpants incident in public. After this, men rent out the rooms and occasionally flirt with Louise, who clearly doesn't mind the attention. The storyline builds up in the process. The relationships between all the characters develop into a messy yet satisfactory comedic work of art. All the characters play a part in the story and add to the enjoyment for the audience. I personally loved this play because of its brilliantly written dialogue with comedic elements here and there. “The Underpants” is a theatrical work of golden comedic art by Carl Sternheim, who brings joy to the audience through his profoundly written dialogue and storyline.

Originally, it was just an unknown German play. However, Steve Martin re-wrote it and transformed it into something truly hilarious.

This farce offers a wild and crazy perspective on the world of a childless couple. Their lives are completely turned upside down by the timely dropping of the wife's underpants. Was it an accident? An act of God? Or perhaps her libido decided to take action after a year of sexual inactivity from her husband?

At once wise, witty, and bawdy, the audience is taken on a thrilling ride by these characters whose lives are caught in a whirlwind of desire, all inspired by a bit of lacy nothing. Mr. Martin showcases his talent not only as a comedian and actor but also as a gifted playwright. Having seen the play staged twice by the Classic Stage Company and The Gallery Players, it bodes well for its future re-stagings.

Get this play and prepare yourselves for a truly entertaining and panty-wetting fun experience.

3.5 stars.

I have to admit that while reading this, I did find myself laughing out loud on a couple of occasions. There were definitely some moments that had a certain charm and managed to tickle my funny bone.

However, I must also say that I had higher expectations. I was really hoping for a bit more wit and perhaps a touch of nuance. It felt like the humor was a bit one-dimensional at times, lacking that extra layer of depth that could have made it truly outstanding.

Nonetheless, it was still an enjoyable read overall, and those few moments of genuine laughter made it worthwhile. I just can't help but think that with a bit more polish and a bit more thought put into the cleverness and subtleties, this could have been an even better piece.

Maybe next time, the author will manage to take it to the next level and really wow me with their wit and charm.

I am completely certain that this play will perform far better in a live production than it does when simply read.

When a play is staged, the actors bring the characters to life, adding depth and nuance that cannot be fully captured on the page. The set design, lighting, and sound effects all contribute to creating a vivid and immersive experience for the audience.

Moreover, the interaction between the actors and the audience in a live performance adds an element of energy and excitement that is absent from reading. The audience can respond in real-time, laughing, crying, or gasping at the appropriate moments, which in turn affects the performance of the actors.

In conclusion, while reading a play can give us an idea of its story and characters, it is only through a live production that we can truly appreciate its full potential.

I absolutely adored this play.

Steve Martin did an outstanding job of adapting this story about underpants or the absence thereof from 1910, making it highly relevant to today's readers.

The play is not only funny but also quick-paced, consisting of only one act.

It truly made me burst into laughter as I contemplated the power of panties or the hilarity that ensues when they are missing.

My mind immediately drifted to the Paris and Britney set, imagining the comical situations that could arise.

I am eagerly hoping that our theatre group will share my enthusiasm for this play and perhaps we can stage it!

It would无疑 bring joy and laughter to the audience, just as it did to me.

I can't wait to see how it would be received on stage.

Laugh out loud funny! This play is simply hilarious and I am extremely eager to produce it. STAT!

The comical elements in this play are so engaging that they are bound to have the audience in stitches from start to finish. The witty dialogues, the absurd situations, and the hilarious characters all contribute to making this play a must-see.

I can envision the theater filled with laughter and people thoroughly enjoying themselves. Producing this play would be a dream come true for me, as I have always been passionate about bringing joy and entertainment to others through the medium of theater.

I am confident that with my skills and dedication, I can bring this play to life and make it a huge success. So, let's get started and make this happen! STAT!

This one's a quick read.

It's the story of Louise, who one fateful day accidentally loses her panties in public during a parade. The incident causes quite a stir. Her husband Theo is outraged and thinks she's acting like a slut. He believes this embarrassing event will surely ruin him.

Soon after, two men come slavering to their doorstep, eager to rent a room with them. However, their true intention is not just to have a place to stay but to have a chance at laying Louise.

This tale offers a very interesting look at sex, but more significantly, it's a hilarious gut-shot to the concept of fame. I'm not familiar with Sternheim's original play, but Martin's adaptation is incredibly funny. It keeps the reader engaged from start to finish with its absurd and comical situations.

The characters are well-developed, and the dialogue is sharp and witty. It's a lighthearted and entertaining read that will have you laughing out loud.

Overall, this story is a great example of how a simple premise can be turned into a highly enjoyable and humorous piece of literature.

I don't have a particular penchant for reading plays. However, this particular one caught my attention. It was a quick read, simple in its construction, and yet highly amusing.

It did have a tendency to be a bit too self-referential at times, which could be a bit off-putting for some. But aside from that, it was filled with witty remarks and clever wordplay.

The dialogue was presented in a snappy back-and-forth manner, making it easy to follow and engaging. It had a certain charm that kept me hooked from start to finish.

Overall, while it may not be a masterpiece, it was definitely an enjoyable play that I would recommend to others who are looking for a lighthearted and entertaining read.

Funny indeed! Imagine a rather embarrassing situation during a parade. As the king is passing by, a woman's underpants suddenly fall down. It's a moment that catches everyone's attention and causes quite a stir.

Now, the woman's husband, perhaps feeling a bit flustered by this incident, makes a rather interesting decision. He decides to rent an extra room in their apartment. One can only wonder what led to this choice.

As a result, hilarity ensues. Maybe the new tenant has some comical antics or maybe the couple has to deal with some unexpected situations due to the extra person in the apartment. It's a situation that is bound to be filled with laughter and entertainment.

Who knows what other funny events will unfold as a result of this strange series of events? It's sure to be a story that will be talked about for a long time.

The Underpants is Steve Martin's adaptation of the 1910 Carl Sternheim's classic farce Die Hose. It is a comedic farce that delves into the themes of sex, desire, and of course, underpants.

The play is filled with a decent number of double entendres and comedic asides. However, similar to some plays, when an actor's interpretation and delivery of the lines are removed, the jokes often fall flat in print.

Since I haven't read the original German play, I can't accurately assess the extent or quality of Martin's reworking of the play for a modern audience. I will admit that I loved his brief Meta moment in the middle regarding a local play.

Nonetheless, it's fair to say that some modern audiences might not appreciate the level of sexual innuendo present, which is easily surpassed in most sitcom reruns. But if you don't expect anything as raunchy as a Marquis de Sade production, you just might find yourself enjoying The Underpants.