“All I want is to bring that … that Donkey Kong of depravity tumbling down from his girders. There’s a saying – the enemy of my enemy is my own grandpa. We could work together. It happens all the time in comic books.”
To be produced in Fall, 2012 by Monkeyman Productions
***Dr. Notto Nefarious, once the most feared of supervillains, has retired and is opening a small bed & breakfast in Toronto with his invisible wife, his henchman Half-Ape, and high hopes that he can begin life anew. But what are his chances for a peaceful existence when all of the customers on the inaugural weekend are leading double lives … including a pair of superheroes, Mr. Mister and Ms. Try, who are still certain there’s something fishy going on? Join us for two acts of mayhem, mistaken identity, monkeys, men in tights, and masked avengers as we explore The Nefarious Bed & Breakfast!***
This play is my attempt at a broader, light-hearted comedy (though with a few undertones); and if I’ve learned nothing else in the process, I’ve learned just how difficult it is to make funny look easy. I’ve been through a half-dozen drafts, we’ve done two seated readings to gauge audience response, and I’m still expecting a full rewrite between now and next fall. Lots to do, lots to do …
CHARACTERS
DR. NOTTO NEFARIOUS, retired supervillain, now owner/manager of a bed & breakfast, at the later end of middle age. Dr. N. never had any real powers.
MARGOT, his wife, only heard as a disembodied, but pleasing, voice.
MR. MISTER (ADAM): declining superhero, about Dr. Nefarious’ age (and in fact, his arch-enemy back in the day), but in much better physical condition. Powers include invulnerability, super-strength, an extremely thick head. Married to Ms. Try. Wears glasses.
MS. TRY(DEANNA): middle-aged superheroine, married to Mr. Mister, but a bit younger than he. She is solidly built and has long, flowing curls that she’s just started to allow to go grey. Her powers are theoretically mystical in nature, but she is also a highly-trained combatant and imposing as hell when she wants to be.
JUDAS: Male, young, fairly naïve, as far as we know without powers whatsoever, married to Kathy. American.
KATHY: Female, young, almost unbelievably naïve, as far as we know without powers whatsoever, married to Judas. Extremely pregnant. American.
HALF-APE: Previously Dr. N.’s henchman; now his bellboy. A human head on an ape body. Mute. Not as imposing as you’d think.
JOE (JOHANNES): a Canada Post delivery person, as far as we know.
