LOGLINE: A rich and darkly comic meditation on grief and alcoholism, The Comedian follows 16-year-old Alice as she navigates the horrors of her world, oscillating between past and present. In the past, she suffered the predations of her father, and in the present, she is forced into the guardianship of her alcoholic uncle - a once celebrated comedian - now wallowing in the chasm of self-pity.
ABOUT: The Comedian is a tragedy play in two acts, available in Paperback, Hardcover and Ebook. Copyright © 2024 Gordon Hinchen. Published April 2, 2024. For licensing, please contact Wrender Studios at wrenderstudiosllc@gmail.com or visit our website www.scriptdoctoratl.com/projects-the-comedian/ for more information.
GENRES: Tragedy, Comedy, Tragicomedy, Dark Comedy, Drama
STATS: Apprx. Runtime: 120min. Cast is 9, but can be done with only 8 actors. There are only two locations, but only one set is needed as the elements overlap and lighting can be used to transition between the two locations. Setting is modern day. Recommended for ages 16 and up due to strong language, implied violence, and minimal intimacy (kissing).
FEATURES: Black/African-American Playwright, Strong Female Lead, tackles themes of Substance Abuse/Alcoholism and Mental Health
CAST: 9 Characters; 5 male and 4 female. 1 character is trans. ALL characters are OPEN ETHNICITY. Characters range in age from 16 to 60s.
SYNOPSIS: The Comedian bravely examines themes of despair, brokenness, and the haunting specter of evil that therein resigns. The tragedy unfolds with a spellbinding flashback, unveiling the tragic circumstances that threaten to define 16-year-old Alice's future. First, the revelation of her pregnancy; second, the discovery by her father.
Now orphaned, Alice finds herself thrust into the care of her only living relative: her tormented and alcoholic uncle, Robin. As the play oscillates between unyielding despair and uproarious comedy, Robin's turbulent past as a once-celebrated comedian seeks to raze the meek cuffs of their intertwined fates.
Further calamity ensues when Robin's ex-wife meets a grim fate within his home, amidst a series of comically unfortunate events. The media frenzy surrounding this new bereavement compounds the duo's distress, testing their resilience and straining their fragile bond.
As Robin's innocence is vindicated, questions loom over the future of his relationship with Alice. While he grapples with his own demons, Alice is forced into premature adulthood, wrestling with unhealed wounds and unanswered questions.
In a world fraught with adversity, The Comedian poses a haunting question: Will Alice summon the strength to defy despair's relentless grip, or will she succumb to the darkness that threatens to consume all around her?
