Another Show

A professional actor finds out what it means to have the whole world at her/his feet.
And still feel completely unhappy and unfulfilled. A single actor shows her/his fragility as more talented actors, as well as the aging process and "Old Father Time" takes its toll.

The actor operates at two acting spots on stage, one being true feelings, a few steps away the actor is in the Phoney position where s/he says what the public would want to hear, rather than what is uppermost in minds.

Cast: 1 (monolog) m or f

Bible Reference: Luke 9:25

Set: standard

Sound: wireless mics if available

Song: none

Lighting: standard

SFX:

• door knocking

Props: none

Costumes: standard

Special Instructions: none

Time: 7

Sample of script:

as drama begins the actor is supposedly off stage, therefore have actor stop at position at extreme right or left side of stage actor is checking makeup, miming looking in the mirror, adjusting clothing

At extreme left or right stage position: OK, another performance! You have no idea how much I hate this! Miss Perfect here, going out to charm my idiot fans! I guess if they are fool enough to throw big bucks my way, the least I can do is to take the cash! (mimes looking into mirror, frowns) The matte makeup isn’t covering up like it used to . . . . (laughs) Who am I kidding? It’s not the makeup . . . a coat of barn paint couldn’t cover up this aging! (angry) I am not getting old!

I can not get old! No one will come to see a washed up, has-been actor! Worse, a washed up never-was actor wannabe.

SFX: (knocking at door, actor listens)

All right already! I am coming! I must go! My adoring public awaits!

(looks in “mirror”)

Yeah right!

actor moves to Phoney location, holds mask in front of face

Phoney: Thanks you, thank you, thank you ladies and gentlemen! No, please, really, stop the applause.

Reminds me of a show I did in Vegas last week. You should have seen that audience! Laugh, . . . I thought they’d never start!

Really, I must ask you to control your applause!

You are going to give me a swelled head, and I will expect all of my attendants to kiss my feet, not just the ones specifically paid as foot-kissers. You don’t know just how wonderful it is to be back here in . . . (offstage aside) . . . where are we again?

Just kidding! It was a joke, OK? I always enjoy coming here . . it’s the only place I know of where the Chamber of Commerce builds fences around the city limits to keep people from leaving.

My hub, says hello . . . You remember my husband . . . Zonk?

Zonk, I gotta tell you, he is one in a million. Yep. One in a million. My luck, with those kind of odds I had to get him. Zonk wanted to come along for this performance, unfortunately someone had to stay home and comfort the dog.

Maybe I didn’t tell you . . . Zonk’s mother moved in with us. The dog has been pining ever since.