Available Scripts
To purchase performance rights for any of Mr. Alway's plays or musicals, please get in touch with him directly at joealway@MCAstl.org.
Echoes of Unity:
The Theatrical Journey of Joe Elvis Alway
Joe Elvis Alway is a writer deeply connected to stories that explore resilience, redemption, and the transformative power of love, often set against challenging backdrops of prejudice, adversity, or personal struggle. Across his plays and musicals, Joe demonstrates a knack for blending poignant drama with moments of humor and humanity, creating narratives that resonate emotionally while tackling relevant social issues.
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Core Themes and Style:
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Resilience and Redemption: Many of Joe's works, such as Courage to Love, Familia, and Ambitions, focus on characters overcoming hardship and finding strength in vulnerability, love, and forgiveness.
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Love and Acceptance: Plays like Reunion, Familia, and Courage to Love underscore the importance of breaking down prejudice and fostering understanding, often in family or community settings.
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Empowerment and Creativity: Works like Too Old for the Chorus and The Untold Stories of City Kids celebrate creativity and the pursuit of dreams, challenging societal norms like ageism or corporate greed in the arts.
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Social Awareness: Plays like Courage to Love and Pinocchio's Journey to Save the Planet tackle real-world issues—AIDS stigma and environmentalism—through personal and relatable stories.
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Humor and Heart: Comedies like Brown and Browner and The Witches of Oz and the Storm on Opening Night use humor to explore cultural, generational, or situational conflicts, offering a lighthearted yet meaningful perspective.​
Overarching Message:
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Joe’s overarching message seems to be that love and compassion, when embraced with courage, have the power to transform lives and bridge divides. Whether through the lens of family, community, or the pursuit of art, his stories celebrate the beauty of human connection and the triumph of the human spirit.
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Artistic Legacy:
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Joe’s body of work reflects a deep commitment to storytelling that uplifts, educates, and inspires. His plays and musicals challenge audiences to reflect on their own biases, celebrate diversity, and embrace the potential for personal and collective growth. Through his narratives, Joe invites his audience to laugh, cry, and ultimately, hope.
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Copyright Notice
All plays, musicals, and original content featured on this website are protected by copyright law. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, performance, or adaptation of any material without prior written permission from the creator is strictly prohibited.
For inquiries about licensing or performance rights, please contact [JoeAlway@MCAstl.org].
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PINOCCHIO'S JOURNEY
TO SAVE THE PLANET
(short play)
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Pinocchio embarks on an eco-adventure to protect Mother Earth. Guided by The Blue Fairy, he meets characters like The Ice Queen and The Pied Piper, who teach him about climate change and pollution. Along the way, he inspires change, proving that small voices can make a big difference. This short play engages students in environmental awareness through storytelling
CASE 6:04
(short play)
A gripping one-person psychological thriller, Case 6:04 follows detective Melendez as he investigates the brutal assault of an elderly woman. Through shifting personas—including a troubled prostitute, a mentally disabled young man, and a weary police officer—the performer unravels dark secrets, deception, and unexpected connections in this intense and thought-provoking piece..
THE UNTOLD STORIES OF CITY KIDS
(musical)
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When COVID-19 threatens a performing arts program, a group of passionate teachers break away to create City Kids, a space where children’s voices are nurtured. Through music, dance, and storytelling, young performers find hope, community, and the courage to dream.
TWISTED BROADWAY
(musical)
A side-splitting musical comedy that parodies iconic Broadway moments with original, over-the-top songs. With unexpected plot twists, outrageous characters, and fourth-wall-breaking humor, Twisted Broadway is a love letter to theater, flipping beloved tropes upside down in the most hilarious ways.
THE SAVOR NUTCRACKER
(Play with songs and dance)​
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In a modern reimagining of The Nutcracker, theater students rework the classic tale with diverse influences, incorporating global traditions and contemporary dance. As they collaborate, they redefine the story into a vibrant celebration of culture, unity, and creativity.
SECRET LOVE
(play) ​​​
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​A high school student Andrew Anderson uncovers a hidden chapter in his family’s history: the forbidden love between his ancestor, Mathew Anderson, the son of a wealthy racist, and Jourdon Jones, an enslaved man in 1895 Tennessee. Their secret bond defied society’s constraints but was buried for generations—until Andrew’s discovery forces him to confront his past and its impact on his present.
BROWN AND BROWNER
(play)
Two grandmothers, Cuca and Carolina, win a million-dollar lottery ticket, launching them on a global adventure filled with humor and unexpected cultural encounters. With each actor portraying multiple characters, Brown and Browner is a fast-paced, hilarious journey of friendship, identity, and life's surprises.​
REUNION
(play)
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The Baker family gathers for their parents’ 55th wedding anniversary, but estranged son Justin dreads returning. His brother insists, and Justin reluctantly attends—bringing his partner, Miguel, whose presence challenges the family’s rigid beliefs. As tensions rise, Reunion explores love, acceptance, and the courage to stand in your truth.
AMBITIONS
(musical)
Mark, a small-town dreamer, claws his way to fame, leaving broken relationships in his wake. When he returns home expecting a hero’s welcome, he instead faces the consequences of his ruthless ambition. Ambitions explores the cost of success, betrayal, and the road to redemption.
THE WITCHES OF OZ AND THE STORM ON OPENING NIGHT
(play)​
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A school’s Wizard of Oz production is thrown into chaos when a storm knocks out the power—on Halloween night. As the actors scramble to keep the show going, real witches may be in their midst. A hilarious, unpredictable adventure unfolds in this fast-paced comedy.
FOSTERS
(a dramatic, intense play)​
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The Douglas family fosters children, but behind closed doors, dark secrets lurk. When a foster child is abandoned in the woods, her twin children return years later, seeking revenge. Fosters is an intense drama of trauma, redemption, and the ghosts of the past.
THE SECRETS OF THORNHILL MANOR
(mystery dinner play)​
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A stormy night. A sudden death. A family full of secrets. As Inspector Harrington investigates Lord Thornhill’s mysterious demise, buried truths unravel, leading to a shocking revelation. The Secrets of Thornhill Manor is a thrilling tale of greed, deception, and betrayal.
COURAGE TO LOVE
(play)
Set during the 1980s AIDS crisis, Courage to Love follows James and Angel, a devoted couple facing stigma and loss. As an outspoken activist, Angel fights for awareness while caring for James, whose mother, Donna, blames him for her son’s illness. After James’ passing, Angel learns he too has AIDS. In a profound shift, Donna overcomes her prejudice and cares for him. Together, they form an unlikely bond, proving that love and compassion transcend even the deepest divides.
TOO OLD FOR THE CHORUS
(musical)
Seasoned performers, sidelined by ageism in the theater world, refuse to fade away. Led by Carol, they create their own show, proving that talent is timeless. With humor, heart, and show-stopping numbers, Too Old for the Chorus challenges age stereotypes and celebrates perseverance.
FAMILIA
(play)​
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Peter and Raul’s wedding faces opposition from Peter’s mother, Emma. After Peter’s sudden death, Raul raises their son, Chris, while clashing with Emma—until an unexpected custody battle forces them to unite. Familia is a moving story of love, loss, and the bonds that redefine family.
THE WOODMAN'S SON
(short play)​
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A lonely woodman carves a wooden boy, Pinocchio, longing for fatherhood. On his late wife’s birthday, his tear brings the puppet to life, launching a journey of love, loss, and environmental awareness. The Woodman’s Son blends magic and activism in a heartfelt classroom-friendly play.
DEATH SERVED HOT
(mystery dinner play)​
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At Mama Dee’s Soul Kitchen, crime boss Big Red Carter collapses mid-meal—poisoned. With a colorful cast of suspects, Detective Barnes untangles a web of betrayal, ambition, and secrets. Death Served Hot is a suspenseful murder mystery served with a side of Southern charm.
I AM THE WHOLE CAST
(One Woman Show)
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In this dynamic one-woman show, a single actress embodies an unforgettable cast of women—each with their own struggles, humor, and wisdom. Through laughter and raw emotion, I Am the Whole Cast celebrates resilience, identity, and the many voices that shape our world
THE GHOSTS OF VIVA AVALON
(musical)
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With the historic Viva Avalon Theater set for demolition in 30 days, director Emma and her cast must stage one last show to save it. When house manager Maggie seeks guidance, spirits of past Broadway legends emerge, eager for one final curtain call. As ghosts and modern performers collide in chaos and comedy, their shared love of theater unites them. But will their grand performance be enough to stop the wrecking ball, or is this truly the final act?