When the Cookie Crumbles
You Can Still Pick Up the Pieces
A revue in 1 act:
A collaborative effort written by Michael Abbott, Lynn Ahrens, Roo Brown, Douglas J. Cohen, David Crane, Sir Edward Elgar, Frank Evans, Stephen Flaherty, Carey Gold, Jeff Harris, Allison Hubbard, Marta Kauffman, Michael Kessler, Annie Lebeaux, Henry Machtay, Jimmy Roberts, June Siegel, Jeff Silver, Michael Skloff, Tom Toce, Sarah Weeks, Ed Weissman, William Young: Conceived and Originally Directed by Jay Harnick
A right-up-to-the-point revue about divorce, this show is an engaging collaborative effort involving a team of over 30 gifted writing talents. It is a kaleidoscopic look at the pressure, fears, guilt and loneliness that divorce can bring to children. It is surprisingly upbeat but it is also an honest exploration of the subject using skits, music and comedy and common sense to help youngsters (and adults) understand and deal with fragmented childhoods.
Synopsis
This honest and direct musical revue about divorce uses skits, songs, humor and common sense to explore an issue which is growing more timely every day. Full of hope and heart, this show helps children and adults to understand and cope with the pressures, fears, guilt, and loneliness that often accompany divorce. The songs and dialogues stress that no matter how painful the experience is, there is life—and love—after divorce.
"D-Word"
In order to address the many issues surrounding divorce, it is important to get over the first obstacle--saying the "D" word. We can’t talk about it, if we can’t say it. "Divorce!" There. See, it wasn't so hard.
"Dad Said, Mom Said"
Friends are always asking Robert how he feels about his parents’ divorce. In this song, Robert discusses how it all happened, how he is coping with the fact that his parents never got back together, and how he feels about his parents seeing other people. In the end, it is clear that Robert has emerged strong and is doing just fine.
"Josh and Emily"
If parents can divorce, why can’t siblings? Josh and Emily are a brother/sister pair asking that very question. As the two contemplate their separation, however, they stumble upon a variety of details that need to be worked out, including how they would split allowance money, who gets to keep the dog, and who is going to move out of the house. Luckily, Josh and Emily realize that despite their differences, it might be best if they stick it out and stay together.
"Home #1"
Richie is nervous about his first day at a new high school. His parents recently divorced and he has moved with his mother to California. Despite his homeroom teacher’s attempts to have the class make him feel welcome, Richie feels very uncomfortable. When two girls look at him and giggle, Richie is certain that they are making fun of him. The opposite is true, of course, but he is too nervous to see that.
"Fairy Tale Family"
Is there such a thing as living happily ever after? Well, in this comic skit and song, the son of Prince Charming and Snow White fears that his perfectly matched parents may be headed for trouble. Fortunately, his relationship-wise friends are able to explain to him that while “everyone wants to be a fairy tale family,” disagreements are inevitable and certainly don’t mean that the end is near.
"Amy"
While the word "stepmother" often has negative connotations, Carla, in this song, explains that her relationship with her stepmother is one filled with care, concern, and love. Amy can never replace Carla's real mother, and she doesn’t try to. They share a unique bond that Carla realizes is separate from her love for her mother.
"Home #2"
Richie has been attending his new school for ten days and is still miserable. Janet volunteers to help him catch up with all the work he missed before his "big move," but Richie is completely apathetic. As far as he is concerned, his parents will be getting back together soon and he'll return to New York. Even though Janet attempts to get him to interact with others, Richie has lost interest in all things social.
"Tap A Tin Can"
Once a parent leaves the house, many children worry that they will lose their other parent as well. As a result, many kids try to keep their parents’ attention focused on them at all times. While mother is in the kitchen preparing a meal, two small children enjoy pounding on a metal pot. The kids know they are driving their mother crazy, but they also know they have her full attention and that provides them with the sense of security that they require.
"Ken & Barbie"
In this scene, a young girl recreates a difficult situation between her and her parents with her Barbie and rag dolls. Alternating the pitch of her voice, she reenacts her parents aggressively competing for her affection. This scene is sure to make any parent think twice about what they say in front of their children.
"Middle of Nowhere"
At a designated Seven-eleven, in the middle of nowhere, a young boy is dropped off by his stepfather to meet his father for the weekend. This weekly exchange is awkward, painful, and poignant for everyone involved, and, in this song, we understand that one’s true thoughts and emotions are often difficult to express.
Home #3
Richie's third week at school becomes a bit more routine. Janet is at Richie's house, helping him with his history homework when he tells her that since his parents are getting back together, he and his mom are moving back to New York. Unfortunately, when Richie's mother hears this, it is revealed that this is not the case at all. In reality, both of his parents are seeing other people. Richie is in a total state of denial. Janet helps Richie deal with the realities of his situation.
"Circumstance"
A young girl at her junior high graduation has attempted to get her parents back together by having them sit next to each other in assigned seats. Now, they can talk and maybe even smile at each other. Unfortunately, when she looks out at the audience, she sees that the two seats she reserved are empty.
"Step By Step"
Suzanne and Jeffrey are Dad's kids. Elizabeth and Freddy are Mom's kids. Just what happens when these youngsters who never even liked each other before are now stepbrothers and stepsisters? Taking it "step-by-step," they learn to play, share and tolerate each other. It isn't easy, but in the end it can be accomplished.
"I Met Ronnie Today"
In this song, a young boy is introduced to his mother’s boyfriend Ronnie. The boy tries desperately not to like Ronnie, even though he thinks it’s kind of cool that he’s a cop, that he bought him ice cream, and that he let him win at checkers. Nevertheless, when a woman at a newsstand mistakes the boy for Ronnie’s son, the boy runs away and punches Ronnie in the stomach. When Ronnie responds with compassion and understanding, the boy comes to terms with the fact that Ronnie is not such a bad guy.
"It's Not My Fault"
While kids are constantly told by parents and professionals that they are not the cause of their mom and dad’s divorce, this can be difficult to believe. In this song, a group of kids take the audience on a mental journey through feelings of guilt, helplessness, and finally acceptance and growth.
Musical Numbers:
The D Word
Dad Said/Mom Said
Josh And Emily
Home
Fairy Tale Family
Amy
Tap A Tin Can
The Middle Of Nowhere
Circumstance
Step By Step
I Met Ronnie Today
It's Not My Fault
Cast:
3 + female; 3 + male
Characters: cast members use their own names
Instrumentation:
Orchestra Size: Small (1-11): tape accompaniment only - no piano available
All material on hire only.